D.C. Felon Who Fled from Officers Sentenced in Possession of a Loaded Glock 9mm Pistol

WASHINGTON - James Gaskins, 30, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 26 months in prison in connection with his possession of a loaded Glock 9mm pistol that was recovered after he attempted to flee from police in Southeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Gaskins pleaded guilty on Sept. 12, 2025, before Judge Amir H. Ali to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to the 26-month prison term, Judge Ali ordered Gaskins to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 41-month prison term.

According to court papers, on Oct. 4, 2025, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department observed Gaskins and a co-defendant attempting to get into a building on the 2800 block of 28th Street SE and attempted to stop them. Gaskins fled and ran into an alley between two residences. As officers chased him, Gaskins tossed a firearm. Officers later recovered a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol from along Gaskins' flight path. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and an additional 16 rounds of ammunition in a 17-round capacity magazine. A forensic test of the Glock linked Gaskins' DNA to the firearm.

Following his arrest, officers searched a Honda Odyssey that matched keys found on Gaskins' co-defendant and found a satchel with Gaskins' identification inside. In the satchel with the ID, officers found a plastic bag containing 11 green "zips" with a powder-like substance, and a separate rock-like substance broken up into a plastic bag. The substances later tested positive for cocaine base.

Gaskins has a prior felony conviction and was therefore legally barred from possessing any firearm. In March 2023, he was convicted in Superior Court for unlawful possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department with the valuable assistance of the FBI Washington Field Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caelainn Carney.

This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative. 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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