Mayor Supports “U.S. Attorney’s strategy of prosecuting cases in federal court for felons illegally in possession of guns”

Thanks to John for passing on from the Washington Post:

“Scores of D.C. defendants will be prosecuted for federal gun crimes rather than face local charges in the next year as part of a citywide crackdown on felons caught illegally possessing a firearm and repeat violent offenders, four officials briefed on the plan said.

With homicides in the District climbing 40 percent last year and still rising, federal prosecutors’ goal is to bring all “felon-in-possession” gun cases to U.S. District Court instead of D.C. Superior Court, according to the people briefed on the plan.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jessie K. Liu reaffirmed their commitment to prosecuting illegal firearms and violent crime cases in the District of Columbia. Mayor Bowser also expressed her support for the U.S. Attorney’s strategy of prosecuting cases in federal court for felons illegally in possession of guns.

“To build a safer, stronger DC, there must be swift and certain accountability when people are arrested for gun crimes. Today, we are primarily focused on one specific charge: felon in possession,” said Mayor Bowser. “In addition to increasing accountability for repeat offenders, we also remain very focused on preventing crime before it happens, expanding opportunity for residents who are at risk of perpetuating or falling victim to violent crime, and ensuring that our returning citizens have access to meaningful resources and supports.”

As part of the USAO’s Felon in Possession initiative, the USAO and federal law enforcement partners will charge and prosecute cases in U.S. District Court for previously convicted felons illegally possessing guns. Through the partnership, the USAO will also leverage federal resources, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshals, to support MPD and the Department of Forensic Sciences with complex criminal investigations.

Today’s announcement is a part of a comprehensive public safety strategy to build a safer, stronger DC. Last Friday, the Bowser Administration discussed their comprehensive approach, which balances traditional law enforcement and public-health tools, with councilmembers at the Mayor-Council breakfast; announced a $6 million investment in workforce training and violence intervention programs with Attorney General Karl Racine; and graduated the second cohort of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement’s Pathways Program – a community-oriented program that provides social, emotional, educational, and workforce development for participants who are most at risk to be a victim or perpetrator of a crime.”

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