Damian Johnson, a 24-year-old from Washington D.C., was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The sentence was handed down by the U.S. District Court and announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Johnson, who also goes by "Damien Johnson," pleaded guilty on September 11, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon. His new sentence will be served consecutively with a previous 16-month sentence from October 2022 for carrying a pistol without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb additionally ordered three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case unfolded when members of the MPD Robbery Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at Johnson's residence on December 26, 2023. Officers found him attempting to open a window and later discovered a Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol behind his bed along with magazines containing numerous rounds of ammunition.
Prior investigations revealed that Johnson had posted images on Instagram showing himself with firearms while wearing an ankle monitor. These posts depicted multiple firearms inside his apartment.
A federal Grand Jury indicted Johnson on January 17, 2024, leading to his arrest by U.S. Marshals six days later in Washington D.C.
The investigation involved both the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Cole prosecuted the case for the District of Columbia.
Johnson's online activities were instrumental in building the case against him as he frequently shared images displaying weapons despite being under legal supervision.