WASHINGTON, D.C. – Samuel Fapohunda, a 27-year-old felon from Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to a federal firearm charge following a traffic stop in Southeast Washington. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the plea, which comes after law enforcement discovered a loaded Glock 19 handgun and illegal drugs during the encounter on June 25, 2026.
Fapohunda entered his plea before Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who has scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2026. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, a serious offense given his prior criminal history, which includes a conviction for robbery in Arlington County, Virginia.
The incident unfolded around 6:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of 18th Street SE, a neighborhood that has faced challenges related to crime and public safety. Officers on patrol noticed a vehicle with its engine running and illegally tinted windows. Upon approaching the car, they detected the smell of marijuana and identified Fapohunda as the driver. As they conducted a protective pat-down, Fapohunda disclosed the presence of a firearm in his waistband, leading to the recovery of a loaded Glock 19 with a 17-round magazine.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed additional illegal items, including marijuana, a nearly full bottle of codeine-based cough syrup, drug paraphernalia, and nearly $1,000 in cash. The investigation was carried out by the Metropolitan Police Department in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office, and is part of the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative aimed at reducing gun violence in the district.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to address firearm-related offenses in Washington, D.C., as authorities work to enforce stricter penalties under federal law. As the city continues to focus on public safety, the implications of such cases resonate throughout the community.
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