Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Loaded Firearm with Extended Magazines After Fleeing Traffic Stop

WASHINGTON - Robert D'Angelo Poteat, 40, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison in connection with illegally possessing a loaded firearm and high-capacity magazines that were recovered after he fled from a police traffic stop, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Poteat pleaded guilty on April 22, 2026, before Judge Timothy J. Kelly to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In addition to the 33-month prison sentence, Judge Kelly ordered Poteat to serve three years of supervised release.

According to court papers, at about 12:35 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2025, Metropolitan Police Department officers stopped a pickup truck that Poteat was driving in the 2400 block of 14th Street, NW for a lane violation. An officer saw a firearm with an extended magazine in plain view on the passenger side floorboard and called for backup. As additional officers arrived and one opened the driver's side door, Poteat sped off at a high rate of speed. Officers later identified Poteat from department records as the driver who fled.

About two hours later, officers found the truck parked in the 800 block of Princeton Place NW with Poteat unconscious in the driver's seat. Officers called MPD's Emergency Response Team, which established contact with Poteat and ordered him out of the vehicle. Poteat exited with a cross-body satchel and a firearm tucked into his waistband.

Officers recovered a loaded .40-caliber Glock 23 with an extended, 29-round magazine from his waistband, and a 50-round drum magazine and a 15-round magazine from the satchel.

Poteat was previously convicted in D.C. Superior Court of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in two separate cases, including a 2015 case in which he was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 18 months of supervised probation.

The Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Washington Field Office investigated the case.

This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis Wolf and 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.

Officers recovered a loaded .40-caliber Glock 23 with an extended, 29-round magazine.

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