James Fredrick Moore Sentenced for Possessing ‘Ghost Gun’

The Polymer80 ghost gun recovered from Moore on Sept. 3, 2025. 

Friday, July 10, 2026

WASHINGTON – James Fredrick Moore, 52, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 27 months in prison in connection with his unlawful possession of a “ghost gun” and ammunition recovered after he was found passed out on a public sidewalk in Northwest Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Moore pleaded guilty on March 9, 2026, without the benefit of a plea agreement, before Chief Judge James E. Boasberg to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and to unlawful possession of a ghost gun. 

In addition to the 27-month prison term, Chief Judge Boasberg ordered Moore to serve two years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a prison term of 33 months. 

According to court papers, on Sept. 3, 2025, a witness called 911 to report that Moore was unconscious and in possession of a firearm at the intersection of 1st Street NW and Florida Avenue NW, a busy downtown D.C. intersection.  

Responding officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Moore with a 9mm privately made pistol lacking a serial number, tucked in the back of Moore's waistband. Officers subdued Moore and recovered the loaded weapon. A search incident to arrest also uncovered suspected drug paraphernalia and a substance that field-tested positive for amphetamines. 

Prior to this offense, Moore had been convicted 18 times for an array of crimes that include attempted cocaine distribution, assault and sex abuse, and multiple weapons counts. 

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office. 

The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Ibanez. 

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, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.