Washington D.C. Felon Receives Four-Year Federal Sentence for Illegal Firearm Possession in Cheverly, Maryland

Per a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, a previously convicted felon from Washington D.C. has been sentenced to federal prison following his conviction for illegally possessing a loaded handgun and ammunition in Cheverly, Maryland. The prosecution is part of a sustained federal effort, supported by local law enforcement, aimed at curbing violent crime and removing illegal weapons from communities in Prince George’s County and the greater District of Maryland area. The enforcement and sentencing actions underscore the continuing commitment to utilize federal statutes to prosecute individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms, thereby enhancing local safety.

U.S. District Judge Lydia K. Griggsby handed down a sentence of four years in federal prison to Jeffrey Boston, 43, of Washington D.C., on Friday, December 5, 2025. Following his release from confinement, Boston will be subject to three years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed after Boston was found guilty of possessing both a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person, a federal offense stemming from his status as an individual with at least one prior felony conviction. The case was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, alongside officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Baltimore Field Division, and the Cheverly Police Department.

The federal charges originated from an incident that occurred on May 22, 2024, when a Cheverly police officer responded to a 911 call concerning a welfare check near an intersection in the town. Upon arriving at the scene, the officer found Boston lying on his back on the grass next to a bench. The officer attempted to rouse Boston by gently tapping his chest a few times, followed by shaking his arm, while asking if he could hear him. Boston responded with light groaning sounds, prompting the officer to immediately contact police dispatch to request an ambulance.

The officer continued to assess Boston’s condition, asking if he was experiencing chest pain, to which Boston affirmed with a grunt. To help with the individual’s breathing, the officer began to reposition Boston onto his side. It was during this attempt to move him that the officer discovered a black firearm partially visible in Boston’s waistband, positioned near his right hip. The handgun was immediately secured and removed by the officer. Further investigation revealed that the weapon was loaded with eight rounds of ammunition and had one round chambered in the gun’s firing mechanism. Because of his established history of felony convictions, Boston was legally prohibited under federal law from possessing either the firearm or the ammunition.

This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program designed to bring together law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, along with the communities they serve, to strategically reduce violent crime, especially gun violence. PSN aims to make neighborhoods safer for all residents through a framework centered on several key principles. These principles include strengthening trust and legitimacy within communities, backing community-based organizations engaged in violence prevention, establishing focused enforcement priorities, and consistently measuring results to ensure effective strategy implementation.

The successful removal of illegal firearms from the streets of Maryland communities, particularly when individuals prohibited from possession are involved, is a crucial element in local crime reduction strategies. Residents of Cheverly and Prince George’s County benefit directly from these coordinated federal and local law enforcement efforts, which work to enforce gun laws and prioritize public safety. The collaborative investigation leading to this sentence was commended by U.S. Attorney Hayes, who acknowledged the dedicated efforts of the ATF and the Cheverly Police Department, as well as the Assistant U.S. Attorney who handled the prosecution.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland

---