Damian Barnett, Previously Convicted Felon, Sentenced for Illegal Firearm Possession
Barnett runs from officers on the 1100 block of 16th Street, NE.
Friday, July 10, 2026
WASHINGTON – Damian Barnett, 22, a felon residing in the District who was previously convicted of two attempted carjackings, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 28 months in prison for illegally possessing a loaded unholstered pistol in a residential neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Barnett chose to illegally carry a loaded firearm in D.C., less than a year after being released from prison for attempted carjacking,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “This felon’s actions put law-abiding citizens at risk and demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law. His prior conviction should have been a turning point. Instead, it became a prelude to another crime.”
Barnett pleaded guilty Nov. 20, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 28-month prison term, Judge Jia M. Cobb ordered Barnett to serve two years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 33-month prison term.
According to court documents, on July 14, 2025, police officers on patrol in Northeast Washington encountered a group of people on the 1100 block of 16th Street, NE. Among the group was Barnett, who appeared to be smoking a marijuana cigarette. When Barnett spotted the officers, he handed off the cigarette and ran down an alley. Officers pursued Barnett and saw him reach for his waistband, pull out a firearm, and toss it into the air.
Officers apprehended Barnett and recovered a Glock 19 pistol, loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition, in the alley off Levis Street, NE. The pistol had been reported stolen in November 2024 in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Investigators recovered this Glock 19 pistol in an alley off Levis Street, NE.
An image of a handheld Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging device that indicated the firearm had recently been held.
Evidence photo of the Glock 19, magazine, and 23 rounds of ammunition that police recovered in the alley.
Barnett previously was convicted of two counts of attempted carjacking. For those offenses he received two consecutive 24-month prison sentences and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Division.
The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Green and Lauren Ibanez as part of the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Initiative.
Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.