A D.C. man is facing federal firearms charges stemming from an incident in which police found a gun in his vehicle. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. announced the indictment, which comes as part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative, according to a press release from the U.S Department of Justice.
Jerone D. Robinson, 48, of the District of Columbia, has been indicted on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. Court documents state that on January 18, 2024, Metropolitan Police Department officers were conducting patrols when they observed Robinson in a running, unattended vehicle on Benning Road NE. Officers reportedly were able to spot a firearm quickly on the floorboard from outside the car.
The initiative Robinson's charges are part of, Make D.C. Safe Again, is a public safety crusade targeting federal firearms violations and seeking to detain individuals charged with such offenses. It aims to bring down violent crime rates in the nation's capital and has emphasized tougher penalties for firearm offenses.
Upon detaining Robinson without incident, officers secured the loaded, Glock-style semi-automatic handgun. They observed a Styrofoam cup containing what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage in the cup holder. Robinson subsequently admitted it was "a mixed drink," the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. A background check confirmed Robinson's ineligibility to possess the firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
This case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the MPD, is currently being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman. While an indictment is "merely an allegation," the Justice Department reminds the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Robinson's indictment is one of the latest efforts under the federal crackdown on illegal firearm possession in Washington, D.C.
