Ricky Howard, a 32-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been indicted for unlawful possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction. The indictment, which took place in the U.S. District Court, is part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. This initiative is designed to combat violent crime by prioritizing federal firearms violations and enforcing stricter penalties for offenders.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. announced the indictment alongside 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).
Howard was arrested on June 10, 2024, after MPD officers responded to a domestic dispute in Northeast Washington, D.C. Officers observed Howard with a rifle, but he initially entered his residence with the weapon. He later approached a black Jeep registered to his wife, where a black firearm was found under the vehicle. Howard’s DNA was identified on the weapon. Howard is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions, including robbery with a dangerous weapon and intimidating a witness, both of which could lead to incarceration for at least a year.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the MPD and the ATF Washington Field Division. The case is managed by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
