Felon Indicted for Illegal Possession of a Firearm Following Traffic Stop Arrest on Constitution Ave

WASHINGTON – Timothy Clark, 30, of the District, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge as part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Make D.C. Safe Again is a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

            Clark is charged in an indictment unsealed in federal court with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

            According to court documents, on May 10, 2024, an individual, identified as Timothy Clark, was arrested following a traffic stop on Constitution Avenue.  A United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer on routine patrol observed a vehicle with a temporary registration that appeared to be expired. A subsequent check revealed no vehicle was found for the plate and no registration was on file. The officer conducted a traffic stop, and the driver was unable to provide a license or registration.   

            Court documents say that Clark was arrested for having no permit and counterfeit tags. During processing, a check revealed Clark had outstanding warrants from Queen Anne's County Sheriff and a Failure to Appear warrant in D.C.

            An inventory search of the vehicle uncovered a black backpack in the rear cargo area containing an alleged handgun and ammunition.

            Clark is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions in Superior Court and the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County, Maryland.

            This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Tortorice.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.