Monte Tyree Johnson, a 29-year-old resident from the District of Columbia, has been indicted on a federal gun charge under the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. This initiative, led by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., aims to address gun violence by increasing resources and enforcing stricter gun crime charges in the District of Columbia.
Johnson faces one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg detained Johnson following charges detailed in a criminal complaint filed on March 20, 2025. The complaint accuses Johnson of unlawful possession of a firearm, a violation due to his previous conviction for a crime with a sentence of more than one year. Johnson had pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter on December 10, 2021, resulting in a 96-month prison sentence.
Court documents reveal that on March 19, 2025, Johnson was arrested by U.S. Marshals for an alleged breach of the terms of his supervised release. The arrest occurred at a residence in Northeast Washington, D.C., where authorities allegedly found a firearm, high-capacity magazine, ammunition, and suspected narcotics.
It is alleged that U.S. Marshals observed Johnson on March 18, 2025, leaving a residence on Cassell Place NE with a black crossbody bag. Investigators reportedly arrested Johnson in a third-floor bedroom after returning to the residence the next day with an active warrant. Investigators allegedly spotted a high-capacity ammunition device protruding from Johnson's bag, which later led to a court-authorized search revealing a loaded handgun, extended magazine, and controlled substances.
This case is part of the "Make DC Safe Again" initiative, which focuses on reducing violent crime by prioritizing federal firearms violations and imposing tougher penalties on offenders. U.S. Attorney Martin's initiative seeks detention for those deemed a danger to the community.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," authorities stated.