Convicted Felon Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Semi-Automatic Pistol While on Parole

WASHINGTON - Ricky Corey Watkins, 33, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 37 months in prison in connection with his possession of a semiautomatic pistol while on parole for several weapons offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Watkins pleaded guilty May 30 before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the 37-month prison sentence, Judge Howell ordered Watkins to serve three years of supervised release.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called March 19 to the Harrison Recreation Center, on the 1300 block of V Street, Northwest, report of someone was riding a dirt bike on the baseball field.

Hawkins, who was driving the dirt bike, was handcuffed and detained for operating the dirt bike in a public space. Hawkins complained of an injury, and police called D.C. Fire and Emergency Services.

After an examination by emergency services personel, police asked Hawkins he needed to be transported to a hospital. When Hawkins said "yes," police told him he would need to be searched before getting in the ambulance.

Watkins stood up and attempted to run. As Hawkins ran down 13^th Street with his hands cuffed behind his back, a tan-colored firearm fell from his person to the ground. Police caught Watkins hiding behind a pickup truck in an alley after a brief chase. Officers recovered a 9mm Glock Model 19X semiautomatic pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition and outfitted with a laser sight attachment.

Watkins has several prior felony convictions and was sentenced to 24 months for a 2010 charge of carrying a pistol without a license. In 2012 he was convicted of four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of aggravated assault while armed, one count of second degree cruelty to children, and two counts of destruction of was on parole for those offense when he was arrested in this case.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson.

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