Samuel Fapohunda, 27, a previously convicted felon residing in Maryland, pleaded guilty on July 30 in U.S. District Court to illegal possession of a Glock 19 pistol with a 17-round magazine, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Fapohunda entered his plea before Judge Trevor N. McFadden to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 3, 2026.
According to court documents, officers on patrol on June 25, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m., encountered a vehicle parked with its engine running and illegally tinted windows in the 1800 block of 18th Street SE. When approached by officers, the driver—identified as Fapohunda—rolled down his window and admitted he had been smoking marijuana after officers detected its odor. Officers ordered all occupants out of the car; as the passenger exited, they observed her holding a burnt marijuana cigarette.
A federal law enforcement officer conducted a protective pat-down of Fapohunda and felt a firearm in his waistband. Before officers recovered it, Fapohunda said three times, “it’s under my shorts.” Officers then recovered a loaded Glock 19 handgun with a 17-round magazine from him.
A search of the vehicle uncovered marijuana, nearly a full bottle of codeine-based cough syrup, drug paraphernalia including scales and baggies with residue, and $985 in cash. A criminal history check revealed that Fapohunda was previously convicted of robbery in Arlington County, Virginia; he was sentenced to five years’ incarceration with four years suspended—making his possession of the firearm illegal under federal law.
The Metropolitan Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office conducted the investigation. The case is being prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Liss.