Ex-Con Drops Glock, Gets Two Years Back Inside

A violent repeat offender is trading the D.C. streets for a federal cell after a clumsy attempt to evade police last summer. David Oday Smith, 39, received a 24-month sentence in federal court Friday for illegally possessing a loaded firearm – a charge triggered by his extensive criminal history. The incident, which unfolded near a bus stop in July, is the latest example of the escalating crackdown on gun crime gripping the nation’s capital.

Plainclothes officers from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Crime Suppression Team were surveilling the area on July 14th, 2025, when they spotted Smith hauling a bulky bag. According to court documents, the officers initiated contact, and Smith immediately took off running. Witnesses watched as he tossed the bag over a fence in a desperate attempt to ditch the evidence. Inside, officers found a fully loaded Glock 27, a .40 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber and 14 more packed into the magazine. Smith was quickly apprehended on a nearby porch, the discarded bag and its deadly contents sealing his fate.

But the Glock wasn’t the only thing working against Smith. His record is a brutal tapestry of violence. Back in 2009, he was handed a 30-year sentence in Prince George’s County, Maryland, after being convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and armed robbery. He served approximately 15 years of that sentence before being released. That prior felony conviction automatically disqualifies him from legally owning a firearm under federal law, turning the possession of the Glock into a serious federal offense. Federal prosecutors didn’t hesitate to leverage that history.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) quickly joined the MPD in the investigation, bolstering the case against Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Liss led the prosecution, framing the case within the context of the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” initiative – a program launched under the previous administration aimed at aggressively targeting gun crime and increasing penalties for offenders. Critics have slammed the initiative as heavy-handed and disproportionately impacting minority communities, but the feds clearly signaled their intent to make an example of repeat offenders like Smith.

The charge against Smith falls under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), which prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. While the mandatory minimum sentence for this offense is typically 15 years, federal sentencing guidelines allow for considerable discretion based on the defendant’s criminal history and the circumstances of the offense. In Smith’s case, prosecutors argued for a significant sentence, citing his violent past and the potential danger he posed to the public. The two-year sentence, while falling short of the maximum, sends a clear message: repeat offenders will face serious consequences.

Defense attorneys likely argued for leniency, perhaps highlighting Smith’s rehabilitation efforts or the lack of any intent to commit a crime with the weapon. However, those arguments clearly failed to sway the judge. The prosecution successfully painted Smith as a dangerous individual who repeatedly disregards the law and poses a threat to public safety. This case underscores the ongoing struggle to curb gun violence in D.C. and the federal government’s commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of those with a history of violent crime.

Sources close to the investigation reveal that the bag Smith discarded also contained a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana, though he wasn’t charged with any drug-related offenses in this case. This detail, however, adds another layer to Smith’s already complicated profile. The ATF is reportedly continuing to investigate Smith’s associates to determine if he was involved in any larger criminal enterprise.

With Smith back behind bars, the feds are hoping to disrupt further criminal activity and deter others from illegally possessing firearms. However, the cycle of violence and recidivism continues to plague the nation’s capital, raising questions about the effectiveness of current strategies and the need for more comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of crime.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice