Kevin B. Chavous more >D.C. prosecutors on Tuesday said they will defer prosecution of D.C. Council candidate Kevin B. Chavous on a charge of soliciting an undercover police officer for sex.
Mr. Chavous, a Democrat and Ward 7 candidate, agreed as part of the deal to complete 32 hours of community service within four months and to stay away from the Northeast city block where he was arrested. The charge will be dropped if Mr. Chavous, 27, complies with the terms of the agreement.
Mr. Chavous, the son of former D.C. Council member Kevin P. Chavous, said after the D.C. Superior Court hearing that he is still running for office but declined to comment further.
"The government, to their discretion, chose to drop the charges," Chavous attorney David Benowitz said. "There will be no finding of guilt, absolutely no criminal liability for Mr. Chavous."
Metropolitan Police Department officers arrested Mr. Chavous in December during a prostitution sting in the unit block of K Street Northeast.
According to court documents, Mr. Chavous approached an undercover officer posing as a prostitute and offered a ride. While speaking with the officer he agreed to pay $20 in exchange for oral sex but questioned whether the officer was with the police department. He was subsequently arrested.
"The agreement in this case is fairly typical in cases involving solicitation of prostitution," U.S. attorney's office spokesman William Miller wrote in an email response to questions.
Prosecutors often make use of diversion options in misdemeanor cases after reviewing the facts and circumstances, Mr. Miller said.
The agreement also says Mr. Chavous is no longer required to report for drug testing and is released from pretrial supervision. He still must choose where he will perform his 32 hours of community service from a court-approved list, Mr. Benowitz said.
Mr. Chavous was accompanied to the courthouse by family members. He is due to report back to court May 23.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Andrea Noble is a crime and public safety reporter for The Washington Times. She can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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