Marcus Hazel, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on Mar. 20 to 10 months in prison for strangling his romantic partner during an argument at a local hotel in November 2025, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case highlights the legal consequences of domestic violence incidents and the seriousness with which such offenses are prosecuted in the District of Columbia.
Hazel pleaded guilty to strangulation in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on Jan. 16, 2026. Judge Judith Pipe ordered Hazel to serve a 10-month sentence for the offense. According to government evidence presented in court, Hazel and the victim were at the Gateway Hotel on New York Avenue, NE, when an argument began over a lost cell phone. The victim offered her own phone until Hazel could replace his, but he refused and demanded she buy him a new one. The situation escalated when Hazel placed both hands around her neck and applied pressure until she could not breathe. He then slammed her to the floor and continued strangling her until she nearly lost consciousness.
Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined Pirro in announcing the sentence. Both officials commended investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department for their work on the case and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Elias Feldman from the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section for prosecuting it.
The sentencing underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to address domestic violence cases within Washington, D.C., ensuring that offenders are held accountable.
