Defense Says Stabbing Was Part of DC’s Food Delivery War

By
James Watson
, Sam Biddick – June 10, 2025
Court
|
Daily Stories
|
stabbing
|
Suspects
|

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a stabbing defendant on June 5 for his involvement in a food delivery incident.  

Jhoandry Blanco Canelon, 20, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in the stabbing of a food delivery driver on June 19, 2024 on the 1500 block of 20th Street, NW. 

According to court documents, the attack stemmed from a verbal dispute among multiple food delivery drivers. 

During the hearing, the prosecution alerted Judge Di Toro they extended a plea deal which would require Blanco Canelon to plead guilty to simple assault and possession of a prohibited weapon, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

The plea deal reduced Blanco Canelon’s charges from a felony to misdemeanor. 

Joseph Molina, Blanco Canelon’s attorney, told Judge Di Toro he intended to accept the deal. 

The prosecution requested Judge Di Toro impose a 180 day sentence for each charge, based on the seriousness of the offense. They felt that the randomness of the crime and the defendant’s over reaction warranted the sentence.

“There was nothing random about this,” said Molina.

He said the incident was part of a much bigger territorial dispute among food delivery companies in DC, citing popular delivery apps including Grubhub and Ubereats for their involvement.

“There seems to be some big war going on in the food delivery business,” he concluded. 

Molina suggested this situation may also be connected to disputes between Venezuelans and other ethnic minorities, including DC’s Colombian population, including Canelon.

“It’s fine,” said Canelon to the Judge as she asked if he had any final words before she delivered her sentence.

Di Toro sentenced Canelon to 30 days for the simple assault charge and 30 days for possession of a prohibited weapon, which will be served consecutively in addition to a payment of $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

No further dates have been set.