Charles Edwards, a 49-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to eight years in prison for an assault incident that occurred at a Wawa convenience store in Northwest. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Edwards was convicted by a jury on January 2, 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He faced charges including two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, among other related offenses. Judge Errol Arthur handed down the sentence on June 2, 2025. After completing his prison term, Edwards will be subject to three years of supervised release.
Court documents revealed that the incident took place on January 22, 2022. Edwards had an argument with another man near the Wawa store and pursued him inside when he tried to escape. A Special Police Officer (SPO) at the store initially escorted Edwards out but he returned shortly after. Edwards chased the man again inside the store and brandished a loaded handgun at both him and the cashier. Following this confrontation, Edwards left the premises and threatened the SPO who was contacting emergency services.
Edwards was arrested on August 17, 2022, under a warrant and has remained in custody since then.
In their statement regarding the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the efforts of those involved in investigating from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Toogun and Benjamin Helfand for their roles in prosecuting the case.
