LaPrince Stephens, Sentenced for Illegal Possession of a Firearm While on Court-Ordered Supervision

Friday, May 30, 2025

WASHINGTON – LaPrince Stephens, 46, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 27 months in federal prison for being in illegal possession of a firearm while on court-ordered supervision.

            The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Stephens was found guilty by a federal jury on Jan. 29, 2025, of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered Stephens to serve three years of supervised release.

            According to court documents, on January 6, 2019, MPD officers responded to reports that two men were tampering with a dark BMW in front of an apartment complex on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace SE. Officers arrived and encountered two men walking away from the vehicle. One of the windows of the BMW was smashed and the ignition had been punched. After conducting an initial investigation and releasing Stephens officers later found a loaded black Glock 17 semi-automatic pistol at the scene. DNA testing linked Stephens to the firearm. 

            On August 24, 2023, officers apprehended Stephens on a valid arrest warrant outside of the same apartment complex where the prior offense took place. In Stephens’ waistband, police recovered a loaded Smith and Wesson SD40 VE handgun.

            Stephens has multiple prior convictions for drug offenses, robbery, threats, assaults, and firearms.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department with valuable assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Martin and Cameron Tepfer.