Damion Barnett, 22, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as unlawful discarding of a firearm. The indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Authorities allege that Barnett was found with a loaded Glock 19 9mm semiautomatic pistol before his arrest by Metropolitan Police officers on July 14 following a foot chase in Northeast Washington.
“This prosecution comes as part of the ‘Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ initiative, which is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
According to charging documents, officers from the MPD’s Robbery Suppression Unit were patrolling around 6 p.m. on July 14 when they observed several men standing on the 1100 block of 16th Street NE. One individual—later identified as Barnett—was seen smoking what appeared to be marijuana.
When officers approached, Barnett handed off the cigarette and fled down 16th Street into an alley while police pursued him. During the chase, an officer reportedly saw Barnett reach into his waistband and throw a firearm away. Officers apprehended him soon after and retraced his path to recover a black Glock 19 pistol loaded with 23 rounds in an extended magazine.
A check through NCIC indicated that this firearm had been reported stolen on November 3, 2024, to the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Barnett has a prior felony conviction from D.C. Superior Court in 2021 that prohibits him from possessing any firearms.
The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Sussler of the Federal Major Crimes Section.
“An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” stated officials.
