Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced in Navy Yard Firearm Flight Case

WASHINGTON - Phil Darkwah, 32, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison connection with his illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition during a police foot chase in the Navy Yard neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Darkwah pleaded guilty on Nov. 14, 2025 before Judge Loren L. AliKhan to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In addition to the 24-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Darkwah to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 37-month prison term.

According to court papers, on May 6, 2025, at about 4 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department officers conducting mobile traffic enforcement in the Navy Yard area observed a black BMW sedan without a required front license plate and initiated a traffic stop in the 100 block of I Street SE.

Before officers could approach, Darkwah exited the passenger side and ignored commands to remain in the vehicle. He then fled on foot, clutching his waistband as he ran.

Officers pursued Darkwah toward an apartment building in the 800 block of New Jersey Ave. SE. Surveillance footage captured images of Darkwah discarding an object consistent with a firearm into a planter near the building's entrance. A civilian witness subsequently located the firearm and directed officers to it.

Police recovered a loaded .40 caliber Glock 27 handgun from the planter. DNA testing later linked Darkwah to the gun's magazine.

Darkwah previously was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in June 2023 in connection with a 2022 shooting in Fairfax County, Virginia, that killed another person. He had been released from custody in April 2024 and was on probation at the time of this offense.

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

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Levy and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Horan.

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