Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm Following Arrest in Southeast

WASHINGTON – Rhondell Williams, 38, of the District of Columbia, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge as part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. 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).

        Make D.C. Safe Again is a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

        Williams is charged in an indictment unsealed in federal court with three charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

        According to court documents, on April 4, 2025, MPD officers observed an individual, later identified as the defendant, holding an open bottle of tequila in the 2800 block of Pomeroy Road SE. Upon approaching Williams, officers discovered the open container of alcohol and subsequently arrested him.  During the arrest, it is alleged that a search revealed that Williams was also in possession of a concealed, loaded 9mm semi-automatic "ghost gun" with no serial number.    

        Further investigation revealed that Williams does not possess a permit to carry a firearm in Washington, D.C., and has a prior conviction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

        This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department.

View Williams indictment here. 

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