WASHINGTON, D.C. – James Gaskins, a 30-year-old man with a prior felony conviction, was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison today for possessing a loaded Glock 9mm pistol. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court, following Gaskins’ guilty plea on September 12, 2025, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to his prison term, Judge Amir H. Ali ordered Gaskins to serve three years of supervised release after his incarceration.
The incident leading to Gaskins’ arrest occurred on October 4, 2025, when officers from the Metropolitan Police Department observed him and a co-defendant attempting to enter a building on the 2800 block of 28th Street SE. Upon noticing the officers, Gaskins fled into an alley, discarding a firearm during his escape. Law enforcement later recovered a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol along Gaskins’ flight path, which was loaded with a round in the chamber and an additional 16 rounds in its magazine. Forensic testing confirmed Gaskins’ DNA was linked to the firearm.
Following his apprehension, officers searched a Honda Odyssey connected to Gaskins’ co-defendant and found a satchel containing Gaskins’ identification. In the satchel, law enforcement discovered a plastic bag with 11 green “zips” containing a powder-like substance, later identified as cocaine base. Gaskins, who was already legally barred from possessing firearms due to a previous conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm in March 2023, is now facing further repercussions under federal law.
This case was part of an ongoing effort to enhance public safety in Washington, D.C., and was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caelainn Carney, under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative, which aims to address gun violence and enforce stricter penalties for firearms violations.
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