Frederick Powell, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Washington 2024

A 29-year-old District man is facing up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of a string of serious crimes, including unlawful possession of a firearm, fleeing law enforcement, and reckless driving.

Frederick Powell, a Washington D.C. resident, was convicted by a jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on April 30, 2024. The verdict came after a trial that exposed Powell’s brazen attempts to evade the law.

According to the government’s evidence, on September 15, 2023, Powell was driving an unregistered vehicle in the 800 block of K Street when MPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. But instead of pulling over, Powell fled at high speed, running red lights and stop signs, despite heavy traffic and pedestrians in the area.

An MPD officer later spotted Powell’s vehicle parked outside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission building. As officers approached, Powell entered the building and retrieved a .45 caliber pistol from his waistband, discreetly placing it on the floor. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine, and the serial number had been obliterated to make it harder to trace.

The building’s surveillance system captured Powell’s actions, providing crucial evidence in the case. Powell’s prior convictions, including two counts of robbery and one count of conspiracy in 2017, and a 2021 conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm (prior conviction), also played a significant role in the prosecution.

Powell is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12, 2024, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for his crimes. The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

The conviction is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun crime and the importance of aggressive law enforcement. As the city continues to grapple with rising crime rates, this case serves as a warning to those who would seek to evade the law.

U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department, announced the verdict, praising the hard work and dedication of the law enforcement officers involved in the case.

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