District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest Near Recreation Center

         WASHINGTON – Ricky Corey Watkins, Jr., 33, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted with unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and unlawful possession of a firearm in a school zone. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

         According to court documents, MPD Officers responded to the Harrison Recreation Center, located at 1330 V. Street, Northwest, on March 19, 2025, for a call that someone was riding a dirt bike on the baseball field. Hawkins, who was driving the dirt bike, was handcuffed and detained. It is alleged that while detained, Hawkins complained of an injury, and D.C. Fire and Emergency Services responded.  When Hawkins was told that he would need to be searched before he was transported by ambulance, Watkins stood up and allegedly attempted to flee.  While he was running with his hands cuffed behind his back, Watkins allegedly removed a firearm from his person and dropped it on the ground.  Both the firearm and Watkins were recovered by MPD officers shortly thereafter.

         The firearm was identified as a 9mm Glock, Model 19X, which was loaded with one round in the chamber and fourteen additional rounds in the magazine.  The firearm was also fitted with a laser sight attachment.

         A criminal history check revealed that Watkins had prior felony convictions, which prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

         This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson.

View Watkins Indictment: 

         An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.