Ricky Howard, a 32-year-old resident of the District of Columbia, has been indicted in U.S. District Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. This indictment is part of the ongoing "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., along with Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative, led by U.S. Attorney Martin, aims to address and reduce violent crime in Washington D.C. The initiative focuses on tackling gun violence, prioritizing federal firearm violations, enforcing tougher penalties for offenders, and advocating for detention of firearm violators.
Howard, previously convicted in 2013 for robbery with a dangerous weapon, was arrested on June 10, 2024, following a 911 call related to a domestic dispute in Northeast Washington D.C. Upon arrival, MPD officers spotted Howard with a rifle. Although he went inside his residence before they could approach, he later emerged and approached a Jeep registered in his wife's name. A black firearm, bearing Howard’s DNA, was found under the vehicle. His prior conviction for a crime punishable by at least a year in prison prohibits him from possessing firearms. Further investigations revealed his convictions in Prince George’s Court for robbery and witness intimidation, both carrying substantial potential sentences.
The case is under investigation by the ATF Washington Field Division and the MPD and is being prosecuted by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C.