Washington D.C. Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm at Maryland Courthouse

A resident of Washington D.C. has been sentenced to 66 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced the sentence for Kevin Darnell Ayers, 44, who was found with a loaded handgun while attempting to enter the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County. The investigation and prosecution were a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD).

According to court documents, security personnel discovered the loaded handgun in Ayers’s bag on December 5, 2024, as he was proceeding through courthouse security. Authorities later determined that Ayers was present at the courthouse to attend his own trial on domestic-related charges. The firearm was found to contain approximately six rounds of ammunition. Ayers’s prior felony convictions prohibited him from legally possessing firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, at the time of his arrest, he was on supervised release for a previous assault conviction and also on pretrial release for pending state charges.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement agencies at all levels with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice enhanced its PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and legitimacy within communities, support for community-based violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and measurable outcomes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commended the efforts of the ATF and HPD in their investigation of this matter and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle A. Li and Kenneth S. Clark for their work in prosecuting the federal case.

The sentencing of Kevin Darnell Ayers underscores the legal consequences faced by individuals with felony convictions who are found in possession of firearms, particularly in sensitive locations like courthouses. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies to address gun violence and ensure public safety through programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods. Residents seeking more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and available community resources can visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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

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