In the nation's capital, a convicted felon's run-in with the law has landed him a 36-month sentence in federal prison. Darren Patterson, a 31-year-old from Washington D.C., was given this sentence following an incident in April 2024, where he tried to escape police in a dangerous car chase, ending with a crash. At the time of his arrest, Patterson was found in possession of a significant amount of crack cocaine and an illegally obtained Glock 47 modified to perform like a machine gun.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department announced the sentence. Patterson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon on July 25, 2024. Beyond his prison term, he's also been ordered three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan.
According to the Justice Department, the ordeal began when officers from the MPD’s Fifth District Crime Suppression Team spotted a black firearm in plain view in Patterson's sedan. His attempt to flee resulted in multiple collisions, including a parked car, a fence, and a tree that stopped his escape.
The subsequent search of Patterson’s vehicle uncovered not just the modified firearm with a "giggle switch" fitted to it but also more than 70 grams of crack cocaine and $2,030 on his person. It's noteworthy that Patterson had a history of convictions, including previous gun possession and intent to distribute controlled substances.
The Metropolitan Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the sentencing, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emory Cole, Meredith Mayer-Dempsey, and Jared English prosecuting the case. This sentencing underscores the collaboration between district police forces and federal agencies in curbing firearm-related crimes.
