Ovid Gabriel, a 21-year-old inmate at the D.C. Jail, was indicted this week on several charges stemming from two incidents in August 2025. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Gabriel faces one count each of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, unlawful introduction of contraband into a penal institution, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and felony threats.
According to government evidence, on August 3, 2025, corrections officers were conducting a lockdown when Gabriel refused an order to return to his cell. He then attacked an officer and stabbed him nine times with an improvised knife. The injured officer required life-saving surgery and spent about three weeks in the hospital.
A second incident occurred on August 11, 2025. Officers found a drawing on a cell wall depicting Gabriel holding a knife over another corrections officer identified by name. Gabriel signed the drawing and admitted to creating it.
"An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," the statement said.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in the announcement. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck.
