Ronald Butler, a 44-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has been charged in D.C. Superior Court following his arrest today for an alleged assault on Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers. The incident occurred on March 11, 2025, in Southeast D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Chief Pamela Smith of the MPD.
Butler faces charges of felony assault on a police officer and is the fifth individual to be charged in connection with this case. He surrendered to police custody earlier today.
The four others previously charged include Donte Butler, Sr., 47, who faces charges of felony assault on a police officer and resisting arrest; Donte Butler, Jr., 21, who is charged with misdemeanor assault on a police officer and resisting arrest; Frederick Simms, 39, who also faces misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest charges; and Jermaine Irving, 21, who is charged with resisting arrest and public consumption of marijuana.
Court documents reveal that the incident took place at approximately 3:59 p.m. when the MPD Seventh District’s Special Missions Unit encountered an individual allegedly consuming marijuana in public space located in the 2600 block of Birney Place, Southeast. During this interaction, it is alleged that some defendants assaulted the officers.
These developments are part of Make D.C. Safe Again initiative aimed at reducing violent crime across Washington D.C.
The Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Albi leads its prosecution.
Authorities remind that these charges are allegations at this stage and all defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
