Dewayne Keith Miles, Armed Felon Indicted After Discharging Firearm in Air

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

WASHINGTON – Dewayne Keith Miles, 29, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on a federal firearm 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.

           Miles was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon.

           According to court documents, On March 15, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were investigating a robbery in Southeast Washington, D.C., when they heard gunfire nearby. Officers observed defendant Dewayne Keith Miles allegedly discharging a firearm into the air in front of a residence on Benning Road, SE.

           It is alleged that as officers approached, Miles fled into the residence. At the scene, police recovered thirteen 9mm cartridge casings and a Smith & Wesson SD9 handgun, which was located near the casings. The firearm matched the type used and was later confirmed to be reported stolen from the Richmond City Police Department.

           Court documents say that officers then secured the residence, detained its occupants, and ultimately took Miles into custody after he exited the building. A search revealed a live 9mm round in his possession, consistent with the ammunition found on the street. The firearm was determined to be functional, unregistered, and transported through interstate commerce, as there are no firearms or ammunition distributors in the District.

           A criminal records check confirmed Miles had a prior felony conviction, making him legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was transported to the Sixth District for processing.

           The ATF and MPD are investigating this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar.