The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, led by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., has announced a significant increase in federal firearms charges filed in March. The office charged 18 defendants, doubling the monthly average since January 2021.
"The United States Attorney’s Office is continuing its work to Make D.C. Safe Again by aggressively prosecuting violent offenders, adopting eligible Superior Court cases into District Court, and coordinating federal and local resources,” Martin stated. The initiative aligns with President Trump's Executive Order aimed at restoring law and order in the nation's capital.
Anthony Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Washington Field Division, emphasized the agency's dedication to curbing violence through strict enforcement of federal firearm laws. "We at ATF will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners as well as the United States Attorney’s Office to ensure those who violate federal firearm laws and terrorize our communities with violence are held accountable and brought to justice for their crimes," Spotswood remarked.
In March, the U.S. Attorney’s Office accepted 23 cases for federal prosecution, marking a peak in case adoptions not seen since before January 2021. The charges have led to several arrests, with cases involving significant federal indictments such as traffic stops resulting in firearm recoveries and drug seizures.
Examples of this surge in enforcement include indictments following a traffic stop in Southeast D.C. and during an encounter in Logan Circle, as well as charges against a repeat felon for alleged ammunition possession while on probation.
The Make D.C. Safe Again initiative seeks to tackle gun violence by focusing on federal firearms violations and pursuing stringent penalties. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department are involved in the ongoing investigations.
It is important to note that an indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.