Washington, DC’s Attorney General, Brian Schwarb, is under fire following accusations related to a recent assault on Edward Colistine, often referred to as “big ball.”
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) primarily deals with juvenile offenses and specific kinds of misdemeanors involving adults. According to the OAG, the bulk of adult criminal cases in DC are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the area.
Carjacking incidents involving big balls are really just symptoms of poor policy decisions.
Brian Schwarb’s AG office has sworne to take on “racial inequality.”
– Lower felonies to misdemeanors, like carjacking
– Cut back fees on 40% of boy cases…– John Lefevre (@johnlefevre)
Schwarb took office in 2023. That same year, DC legal authorities dropped charges against an 11-year-old accused of assault and two thefts.
A little over a week later, the child was arrested once more for allegedly threatening a delivery driver and trying to steal his moped. The prosecutor noted that the office is currently involved in negotiating a plea deal for the young offender.
A spokesperson for the AG’s office refrained from commenting to the Washington Post but asserted that “we prosecute all serious and violent crimes committed by juveniles, including instances of carjacking and armed robbery, and we have sufficient evidence to do so.”
Schwarb believes his role is to ensure that these incidents don’t happen at all, suggesting that what the youth actually needs isn’t punitive action but rather a structured environment.
During a panel discussion in 2024, he drew ire from residents by stating that a long-term vision for safety must prioritize prevention and provide resources to youths and their families.
“We can’t arrest our way out of this,” he emphasized.
Residents expressed their frustration during the panel and called for accountability from city leaders regarding the escalating violent crime situation in DC.
Attorney General Brian Schwarb replied: “We cannot prosecute our way out of it.”
“Kids are just kids; when it comes to a teenage individual, their brains are still developing, and they’re naturally inclined to make mistakes. We all went through this during our adolescence,” he noted.
Some community members have voiced their dissatisfaction with how DC handles juvenile crime. Kevin McGillie, a foster parent, recalled how his foster child was released without charges by former AG Karl Racine following an alleged carjacking.
“I don’t want to jail a 15-year-old, but I also don’t want them walking away as if nothing has happened,” McGillie expressed.
“Stopping these carjackings is crucial. It’s like a virus—if you don’t treat it early on, it just spreads,” he added.
The attack on Colistine in August was also related to an attempted carjacking, leading to the arrest of two 15-year-olds currently facing charges of unarmed carjacking.
In a statement, Schwarb commented on the incident after the young victim reportedly suffered injuries. “It’s alarming and invasive,” he remarked. “While we can’t discuss the specifics of any case, if the MPD has enough evidence indicating that individuals have broken the law and harmed others, we will move forward with prosecution.”
In light of the incident, Elon Musk highlighted the alleged assaults, and former President Donald Trump is considering sending the National Guard to help address crime in the capital.
