Two felons sentenced for illegal possession of firearms following investigation prompted by YouTube and Instagram videos (DOJ)

WASHINGTON - Travis Foster, 25, and Reginald Monroe, 23, both previously convicted felons residing in the District of Columbia, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court for unlawfully possessing firearms that authorities recovered following an investigation prompted by videos and livestreams posted to YouTube and Instagram, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

"They flaunted guns for the cameras, brandished weapons in music videos, and carried an arsenal of deadly firepower into our community," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Now they're going to prison. Let this be a warning: if you are a convicted felon who continues to arm yourself and put the public at risk, you will face prison time."

Foster pleaded guilty on July 24 before U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana. In addition to the 57-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Foster to serve three years of supervised release.

Monroe pleaded guilty on July 23 before Judge AliKhan to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and unlawful possession of a machine gun. In addition to the 46-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Monroe to serve three years of supervised release.

A frame grab from a video posted by a co-defendant to social media. YouTube videos and Instagram live streams prompted the investigation. Investigators recognized the displayed weapons as real firearms.

According to court documents, law enforcement began monitoring social media in 2023 after observing Foster and associates appearing in high-resolution music videos and online posts with firearms equipped with extended magazines. Investigators recognized the displayed weapons as real firearms and noted the presence of micro draco pistols capable of firing rifle rounds, dramatically increasing the risk posed to the public by the firearms.

According to court documents, on Oct. 19, 2023, officers tracked Foster, Monroe and others from a dinner gathering to a nightclub in NW Washington. Surveillance ultimately led law enforcement to a nearby parking garage, where officers recovered 842 suspected fentanyl pills and multiple firearms from a stolen Audi Q7, along with six more firearms from a Chrysler 300. Prescription paperwork inside a backpack found in the Chrysler 300 tied Foster to some of the recovered guns. Monroe was captured on surveillance footage exiting the Chrysler, and DNA evidence later linked him to a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol recovered from the Audi and a Glock 32 .357 caliber pistol recovered from the Chrysler 300.

Investigators later recovered Instagram voice messages in which Foster referred to the recovered firearms as his and discussed replacing them after the seizure. Additional posts showed Foster marketing marijuana for sale and possessing distribution level quantities. Law enforcement later executed a search warrant at Foster's residence where they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine, more than one pound of marijuana, and a money counter.

According to court documents, Monroe's possession of firearms was part of a longer pattern of armed criminal conduct, including prior convictions for armed robbery and unlawful firearm possession. He possessed two pistols modified to function as machine guns, each equipped with a 22-round magazine. These weapons were carried while Monroe traveled with associates who had an arsenal of additional firearms, including micro draco pistols capable of firing rifle rounds.

This case marks Foster's second conviction involving the illegal possession of a firearm. Foster previously pleaded guilty to an October 2019 armed robbery of a car was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment. Three months after he was released on July 14, 2023, he committed the instant offense.

Monroe's conviction in this case marks his fourth for illegally possessing a firearm in just six years. Monroe also is awaiting sentencing in a Superior Court case in connection with an armed robbery.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office; the FBI Washington Field Office; and the Metropolitan Police Department.

The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.

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.

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Law enforcement recovered two Romarm/Cugir Micro Draco AR-style pistols from the backpack containing Travis Foster's prescription paperwork.

The bag of rifle bullets officers recovered from the backpack also including Foster's prescription.

Inside the Audi Q7, officers recovered 842 suspected fentanyl pills and three firearms in the glove box.

Monroe's DNA linked him to the Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol equipped with a machine gun conversion device that investigators recovered from the stolen Audi.

Surveillance cameras captured images on October 19, 2023, of Travis Foster exiting a vehicle that contained firearms.

In an image posted to social media, Foster is photographed with a Glock-style extended magazine protruding from his waistband.

Foster's Instagram posts reflected the consistent marketing and distribution of drugs, specifically marijuana.

The Glock pistol that law enforcement recovered from the chest freezer at the home associated with Foster.

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