Wendell Smith, a 60-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison. The sentence follows his guilty plea on April 18, 2025, for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the sentencing.
The incident occurred on November 4, 2024, when U.S. Park Police officers stopped Smith for speeding on Suitland Parkway near Alabama Ave. SE. Upon stopping the black Mercedes he was driving, officers noticed him reaching to his right side.
Smith presented his driver's license and was asked to exit the vehicle. A K-9 unit detected controlled dangerous substances in the car. During a search, officers found a loaded Glock 27 pistol with 13 rounds of ammunition in a backpack on the passenger seat and over $78,000 in cash in another bag on the floor.
Smith's criminal history includes a conviction for first-degree murder while armed and other offenses in D.C. Superior Court. He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison back in February 1990.
U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Chief Jessica Taylor of the U.S. Park Police joined in announcing Smith's sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Strong prosecuted this case following an investigation by the U.S. Park Police.
