Jury Finds Convicted Felon Guilty of Strangling His Former Romantic Partner and Obstructing Justice

WASHINGTON – Tyrell West, 31, of Maryland, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury yesterday of charges stemming from an incident where he strangled and punched his former romantic partner on November 26, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Tyrell West repeatedly victimized his former partner, including punching and strangling her in front of their child,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Today’s guilty verdict ensures that a violent offender is being held accountable. My office will continue to pursue justice for survivors and work with our partners to keep our communities safe.” West was found guilty of one count each of strangulation, threats to do bodily harm, simple assault, and obstructing justice, as well as three counts of contempt on August 11, 2026. Sentencing will take place on October 30, 2026, before Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe. According to the government’s evidence, West and the victim began a romantic relationship in 2021 and share one child. In October 2025, the defendant was released from prison following a sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction). On November 24, 2025, the victim texted West that she wanted to end their romantic relationship. The following evening, the defendant came over to her residence to pick up his belongings. In the early morning hours of November 26, West made a sexual advance to the victim, which she rejected. The defendant became enraged, threatening the victim that he would “break her f*cking face.” He proceeded to strangle her by placing two hands around her neck and squeezing until she lost consciousness. The victim regained consciousness when West punched her in the face, with her child calling out next to her, “Mommy, get up.” The victim grabbed her child and fled to a neighbor’s apartment, where she called 911. Between April and June 2026, West called the victim over 30 times in violation of a court order to stay away from and have no contact with the victim. In one of those calls, he tried to convince the victim not to comply with the trial subpoena. This was not the first time the defendant had assaulted the victim—he assaulted her on multiple occasions in 2022. West was arrested in December 2025 and remains in custody after his conviction. Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Olivia Hinerfeld and Michael Weinberg. 2025 FD3 017538