Damion Barnett, a 22-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been indicted for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as unlawful discarding of a firearm. The indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Barnett is accused of possessing a loaded Glock 19 9mm semiautomatic pistol before his arrest on July 14 by Metropolitan Police officers after a foot chase in Northeast Washington, D.C.
"This prosecution comes as part of the 'Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful' initiative, which is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators," said Pirro.
Charging documents state that officers from the MPD’s Robbery Suppression Unit were patrolling around 6 p.m. on July 14 when they observed several men standing on the 1100 block of 16th Street NE. Officers believed one man—later identified as Barnett—was smoking marijuana.
When police approached, Barnett allegedly handed off the cigarette and ran down 16th Street before entering an alley. During pursuit, an officer reportedly saw Barnett reach into his waistband and throw a firearm into the air. Officers apprehended him soon after and recovered a black Glock 19 pistol with an extended magazine containing 23 rounds along his flight path. A check revealed that this firearm had been reported stolen on November 3, 2024, to the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Records show Barnett had previously been convicted on a felony charge in D.C. Superior Court in 2021 and was legally prohibited from possessing any firearm.
The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Sussler from the Federal Major Crimes Section.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
