Charles Washington, Jr., a 34-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, was sentenced on March 9 to 27 months in prison for illegally possessing ammunition while on probation, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address gun-related offenses involving individuals with prior felony convictions. In addition to his prison sentence, Washington will serve three years of supervised release as ordered by Judge Reggie B. Walton.
Court documents show that Metropolitan Police officers responded to a report of firearms on March 12, 2025, in the 2800 block of Alabama Avenue SE. Officers observed several people near a grey car and saw Washington leaning against the vehicle. As police arrived, Washington ran while holding his waistband and appeared to discard an object into a sewer drain before being apprehended after tripping.
Officers recovered a black “ghost gun” from the sewer drain—a privately made firearm with a Polymer 80 frame and Glock 23 slide and barrel—loaded with twelve rounds and one in the chamber. Washington pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2025, to one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.
U.S. Attorney Pirro was joined in announcing the sentence by ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood and Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. The investigation was conducted by MPD and ATF, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.
The sentencing underscores continued collaboration between federal and local agencies in addressing illegal firearms possession among previously convicted felons.
