Antoine Gatling, a 32-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, faces a federal gun charge following his indictment for unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. This development was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., with contributions from Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The indictment is part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative, a public safety effort led by U.S. Attorney Martin. The initiative aims to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia by focusing on federal firearms violations, implementing tougher penalties, and seeking detention for violators.
Gatling was arrested in Southeast Washington D.C. on March 1, 2024, following a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress. Officers identified Gatling at the scene, matching the caller's description. A protective pat-down revealed a firearm and ammunition in Gatling's possession. Court documents indicate that Gatling had a prior conviction for robbery with a dangerous weapon, leading to his prohibition from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The charge Gatling faces carries a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal district court judge after considering various guidelines and factors. The investigation is being jointly handled by the MPD and the ATF's Washington Field Division, while the prosecution is managed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
