Robert Calvin Corbin III, a 45-year-old resident of Washington D.C., has been charged with a federal firearm violation under the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. The charge was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin aims to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia by addressing gun violence, prioritizing federal firearms violations, and seeking tougher penalties and detention for federal firearms violators.
Corbin, previously convicted on four occasions, faces the charge of unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered Corbin's pre-trial detention on April 4.
Police responded to a report of a large group gambling with guns near the 100 block of Q Street, NW. Corbin was allegedly found smoking marijuana and drinking tequila. During a pat-down, police reportedly found a Glock 19 modified with a "giggle switch," which converts it into a fully automatic weapon, loaded with ammunition in Corbin's possession. Additional ammunition was allegedly found in Corbin's bag.
The charges include possessing a machine gun, carrying a pistol without a license, possessing unregistered ammunition, possessing an unregistered firearm, and possession of a large capacity feeding device, among others. Corbin is charged in federal court for violating 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1).
The case is being investigated by the ATF and MPD, and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Reeder-Ricchetti.
An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
