Two Washington, D.C. Siblings Plead Guilty for Attack Outside D.C. Courthouse

Washington, D.C. siblings pleaded guilty today for their April attack on a federal prosecutor and a murder victim’s daughter outside the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Maurice Hight, 28, pleaded guilty today to one count of felony assault on a federal official.  Tiera Hight, 21, pleaded guilty today to one count of misdemeanor assault on a federal official and one count of misdemeanor assault in violation of District of Columbia Code. According to admissions made in connection with their plea agreements, on April 5, 2018, Maurice and Tiera Hight were in a courtroom in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia waiting for a verdict against their brother, who was being tried for murder.  After the guilty verdict, Maurice and Tiera Hight exited the courthouse and waited outside.  Several minutes later, the murder victim’s daughter exited the courthouse, escorted by a federal prosecutor.  As they approached the street, Tiera Hight walked directly towards the pair and she and Maurice Hight began to circle them.  Tiera Hight then began to spit on the murder victim’s daughter and physically attacked her.  The federal prosecutor intervened, but Tiera Hight continued her attack.  Maurice Hight then joined the fight, forcibly grabbing the federal prosecutor, pulling her down and punching her in the right side of the face with a closed fist.  The federal prosecutor fell hard to the ground and sustained swelling and bruises to her face and arm.  Two deputy U.S. Marshals in the area placed Maurice Hight under arrest, and Maurice Hight proceeded to spit in the face of one of the deputy U.S. Marshals. 

“Our criminal justice system cannot tolerate violence against crime victims or those entrusted with enforcing our laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.  “Today’s guilty pleas reinforce the Department of Justice’s steadfast commitment to prosecuting anyone who engages in vindictive attacks against victims of crime or federal officials.”

The Hights will be sentenced on Dec. 18 before Senior U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman of the District of Columbia.

The Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Unit for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia investigated this case. Trial Attorneys Jennifer A. Clarke and Lauren Bell of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.