WASHINGTON, D.C. – Clark Calloway, 38, of Washington, D.C., is facing serious federal charges after allegedly procuring a fully automatic AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition through illegal means. The arrest, announced by U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Andrew Vale, paints a disturbing picture of a man with a violent agenda.
Calloway was taken into custody on May 4, 2017, and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He’s been charged with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon and transportation of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, assault with a deadly weapon. Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey ordered him held without bail pending a hearing scheduled for May 10, 2017.
The case unfolded as an undercover operation by the FBI. According to the affidavit supporting the criminal complaint, Calloway, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps with training in infantry and explosives, agreed on April 1, 2017, to purchase the fully automatic AK-47 for $250. The affidavit details concerning statements made by Calloway to the undercover operative, allegedly outlining plans to carry out violence against law enforcement officers and potentially target a police station in Washington, D.C.
Calloway reportedly paid $60 as an initial installment on April 7, 2017, followed by the remaining $190 on April 28, 2017. The FBI moved in to arrest Calloway as he took delivery of the weapon. Crucially, law enforcement had rendered the AK-47 inoperable prior to the exchange, preventing any immediate threat. This was a calculated move to ensure public safety.
Prosecutors are emphasizing the gravity of the charges. The maximum penalty for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon is 10 years in prison. The same maximum sentence applies to the charge of transportation of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony. This is not a plea bargain situation; the U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to pursue the full extent of the law.
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal S. Chawla and Jeffrey Pearlman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia handling the prosecution. It is vital to remember that the charges in the criminal complaint are merely allegations, and Calloway is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the evidence presented thus far suggests a dangerous individual and a serious threat neutralized by swift law enforcement action.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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