Indictment Returned Against D.C. Jail Inmate Who Stabbed Corrections Officer in August 2025

            WASHINGTON – Ovid Gabriel, 21, was indicted this week on charges related to the stabbing of a D.C. Jail corrections officer on August 3, 2025, and threats against a separate corrections officer on August 11, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            Gabriel was indicted on one count each of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, unlawful introduction of contraband into a penal institution, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and felony threats. 

            According to the government’s evidence, on August 3, 2025, Gabriel, an inmate at the D.C. Jail, was standing in the doorway of his cell as corrections officers were performing lockdown. When an officer approached the defendant and ordered him to go into his cell, he refused and attacked the officer. Gabriel took out an improvised knife and stabbed the officer nine times. The victim spent approximately three weeks in the hospital and underwent life-saving surgery.

            On August 11, 2025, approximately one week after the stabbing, officers discovered a drawing on a cell wall depicting Gabriel holding a knife over a corrections officer, who was identified by name in the drawing:

            Gabriel signed the threat and acknowledged that he drew it.

            Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

            This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck. 

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

2025 CF1 010250