DC Man Sentenced In Federal Firearms Trafficking Case

WASHINGTON, DC — A D.C. man was sentenced Friday to 102 months in a federal prison in connection with a firearm trafficking investigation and the 2018 shooting of a juvenile in the Douglass area of the District, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.

Jonathan Webb, 22, pleaded guilty on July 10, 2019, to conspiracy to engage in trafficking of firearms and aggravated assault while armed before U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta.

Webb's arrest and sentencing came about after an extensive investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Metropolitan Police Department; and the Virginia State Police into a firearms trafficking ring based in D.C., according to the release. Law enforcement officials say members of the conspiracy traveled to Virginia to illegally purchase firearms, filed-off the serial numbers of the weapons, and then resold them in D.C. and Maryland.

Webb traveled to Virginia on June 27, 2018, where he and two co-conspirators purchased firearms, and returned with them to D.C., according to court documents. Webb's co-conspirators purchased about 31 firearms during the course of the conspiracy, and Webb helped them to find buyers for some of the weapons. On one occasion, Webb and others involved in the conspiracy posed for photographs holding the firearms and filmed a music video, where they were shown with the firearms, court documents say.

On Oct. 8, 2019, Webb saw a juvenile walking along the 3200 block of Stanton Road, S.E., according to the release. He later confronted the juvenile, drew a firearm, and fired bullets at the victim, striking him multiple times, according to court papers. As a result of the shooting, the juvenile sustained multiple injuries, including a pelvic fracture, a left arm fracture, right thigh fracture, and a spinal injury that caused paralysis.