Sherwood Russell, 35, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on a federal firearms charge following his arrest in the northwest part of the city. The indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court as part of the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the indictment. Russell faces one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District responded to a domestic disturbance call on May 4, 2025, in the 2000 block of 11th Street Northwest. Officers saw Russell grabbing a woman by her arms and yelling at her. When police tried to intervene, Russell attempted to flee in his vehicle but was detained after a struggle. Police found an open container of alcohol in the car and later discovered a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol with one round chambered and 25 more rounds in its magazine. The pistol had been modified with a device that converted it into a fully automatic weapon.
Russell is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions, including for first degree burglary while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon in 2011.
The case is being prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative, which supports President Trump's Executive Order focused on reducing gun violence in Washington, D.C., prioritizing federal firearms violations, seeking tougher penalties for such offenses, and requesting detention for violators (https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-make-d-c-safe-beautiful/).
Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined Pirro in announcing the charges.
The investigation is being handled by ATF’s Washington Field Office along with MPD. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Liss is prosecuting the case.
Authorities noted that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
