D.C. Felon with Two Prior Firearms Convictions Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Loaded Ghost Gun

WASHINGTON - Rhondell Williams, 39, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 14 months in prison in connection with his illegal possession of a loaded ghost gun while intoxicated on a residential road in Southeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Williams pleaded guilty on Dec. 15, 2025, before Judge Loren L. AliKhan to three firearms counts: unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a prohibited weapon. In addition to the 14-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Williams to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 28-month prison term.

According to court documents, on April 4, 2025, about 6:15 p.m., officers from the Metropolitan Police Department's Violent Crime Suppression Division observed Williams walking on Pomeroy Road SE carrying an open bottle of tequila.

Officers approached and attempted to detain him for possessing an open container of alcohol. After Williams resisted, officers removed a cross-body satchel from Williams. Inside the bag was a loaded 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun, privately manufactured, bearing no serial number and untraceable by law enforcement. The ghost gun was loaded with five rounds of 9mm ammunition in a Glock magazine. While in custody, Williams tested positive for amphetamines.

Williams has two prior felony convictions for illegally possessing firearms, in 2007 and 2017. He repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of court-ordered supervision in each case.

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.

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 Benjamin Helfand.

Body-worn-camera photo depicts a police officer reaching for Williams' bag in which a 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun (below) was found.

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