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Joseph Thompson, a 37-year-old previously convicted felon from Oxon Hill, Maryland, was busted for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition in Washington DC. On March 7, 2025, Thompson was standing outside the South Capitol Liquor Store when he caught the attention of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Robbery Suppression Unit. As officers approached, Thompson took off in a sprint, tossing a loaded .45-caliber pistol into the street during the pursuit.
The firearm, which was not registered in the District, had one round in the chamber and 13 additional rounds in the magazine. Thompson, who has a previous 2017 felony conviction out of Arlington County, Virginia, made it unlawful for him to possess any firearm. The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office.
Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon before U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18, 2026. The case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative, a law enforcement initiative aimed at cracking down on gun violence in the District.
The guilty plea is a result of the collaborative efforts of local and federal law enforcement agencies to reduce gun violence and keep the community safe. The prosecution of this case demonstrates the commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions and upholding the law.
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