D.C. Gunman Gets Two Years: Stolen Glock Lands Felon Back in Cage

A D.C. man with a history of gun charges is trading the city streets for a federal cell after a loaded, stolen handgun was found on his person last fall. Charles General, 29, received a two-year sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta today, a penalty reflecting the escalating federal crackdown on firearms offenses in the nation’s capital.

The bust went down October 13th, 2023, in a parking lot on Cedar Street SE. According to court documents, plainclothes officers with the Metropolitan Police Department were investigating reports of marijuana use when they encountered General and a group of individuals. The smell of weed quickly confirmed the reports, prompting officers to intervene. During a routine search, they felt the distinct outline of a handgun tucked into General’s coat pocket.

That handgun turned out to be a Glock 30S, a .45 caliber pistol reported stolen from a burglary at a gun shop in Springfield, Virginia. The ATF quickly traced the weapon, linking it directly to the earlier break-in. While possessing an illegal firearm is already a serious offense, General’s prior felony conviction for carrying a pistol without a license in D.C. elevated the charge to a federal crime – specifically, being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Federal prosecutors successfully argued that General knowingly possessed the stolen weapon, despite his prior conviction which legally barred him from owning any firearms. The sentencing guidelines for this offense typically range from 15 to 21 months, however, Judge Mehta opted for a sentence at the higher end of the spectrum, citing General’s repeat offense and the danger posed by illegally obtained firearms on D.C.’s streets. The two-year sentence will be followed by a period of supervised release.

The operation that led to General’s conviction was a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF’s involvement highlights the increasing focus on tracing and recovering stolen firearms, particularly those linked to violent crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole led the prosecution, framing the case as part of the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative – a program launched under the previous administration aimed at aggressively targeting gun violence through stricter enforcement and harsher penalties.

This case underscores the ongoing struggle with gun violence in the District and the federal government’s commitment to prosecuting individuals who illegally possess firearms. D.C. continues to grapple with high rates of gun-related crime, and the feds are signaling they intend to come down hard on those who contribute to the problem. The “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative, while originating from a specific administration, appears to be continuing under current leadership, suggesting a sustained focus on firearm offenses.

Defense attorneys argued that General was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and unaware the gun was stolen, a claim the prosecution effectively dismantled with forensic evidence and tracing data. The judge wasn’t swayed, pointing to General’s prior record as evidence of a pattern of disregard for the law. The case number is 23cr402. This sentencing follows a recent life sentence handed down in a D.C. road rage incident, signaling a trend of severe penalties for violent crimes in the city.

The feds are clearly sending a message: carrying an illegal firearm in D.C., especially a stolen one, will result in significant prison time. While critics argue that these aggressive tactics don’t address the root causes of gun violence, the authorities maintain that removing dangerous individuals and illegal weapons from the streets is a crucial step towards improving public safety. The ripple effects of this case are likely to be felt throughout the city, as law enforcement continues to target illegal gun trafficking and possession.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice