Ronald Stevenson Richardson, a 29-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge. This development is part of the "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful" initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood, and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
Richardson faces one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. According to court documents, on May 6, 2025, members of the Seventh District Special Missions Unit were patrolling Anacostia when they observed Richardson with an open container of alcohol at a bus stop near 16th Street SE and W Street SE.
Following his arrest for possessing an open container of alcohol, officers reportedly found a firearm concealed in Richardson's undergarments. The weapon was identified as a Glock 42 loaded with one round in the chamber and four additional rounds in its magazine.
Richardson's prior conviction for carrying a pistol without a license prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition. The case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Truscott handling prosecution.
The "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful" initiative focuses on addressing gun violence in the district by prioritizing federal firearms violations and seeking tougher penalties for offenders. It emphasizes detaining those charged with federal firearms offenses.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
