Make D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force Makes 10,000th Arrest, Removes 1,000th Illegal Firearm from City Streets

Washington, DC - The Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force surge operation has executed its 10,000th criminal arrest and seized its 1,000th illegal firearm since the launch of the unprecedented law enforcement and military collaboration in August, 2025.

The 10,000 arrests the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force has made include 28 for homicide, 1,693 for narcotics, 874 for weapons offenses, 34 for sex offenses, and include 52 known gang members.

“President Trump’s federal surge in Washington D.C. has saved lives and helped restore our Nation’s beautiful capital city for all Americans to enjoy,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Thanks to the brave work of Gady Serralta’s Marshals, our other DOJ components, and our great federal partners, we have proven that tolerating crime is a policy choice — we choose public safety.”

“President Trump’s decisive no-nonsense strategy to restore law and order, the federal surge of law enforcement resources, combined with aggressive prosecution of violent offenders, is delivering real, measurable results,” said U.S Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “I came here to fight street crime in the nation’s capital and since then homicides have fallen to historic lows, and violent crime has dropped dramatically. Those who prey on our communities are being arrested, prosecuted, and convicted. The era of unchecked violence is over.”

“This announcement marks a monumental achievement, and I could not be more proud of the brave men and women working around the clock to restore safety to our Nation’s capital,” said Gadyaces S. Serralta, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service and leader of the Task Force. “By removing 1,000 illicit firearms from D.C. streets and making 10,000 arrests, we have achieved unprecedented results, not just for the Task Force, but for all the residents, commuters, students, and visitors to Washington, D.C. But rest assured, our work is not done. Washington, D.C. is the beating heart of our great Nation, and we will not stop until we fulfill President Trump’s promise to make its communities safe again.”

“The removal of more than 1,000 crime guns from violent offenders is not symbolic, it is decisive action to restore law and order in our nation’s capital,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Deputy Director Rob Cekada. “President Trump made it clear that Washington, D.C. will not be surrendered to criminals, and ATF is fully committed to relentlessly pursuing those who traffic, possess, and use illegal firearms. 10,000 arrests are just the beginning. We will continue to dismantle violent networks and ensure the safety of everyone who lives, works, and visits here.”

The arrest of Javonte Robinson on a warrant for First Degree Murder marked the overall 10,018th arrest.

The arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile for Armed Carjacking, Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm brought the total of illegal firearms seized to 1,036.

The Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force surge was initiated in early August at the direction of President Trump, with U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta leading a partnership of more than 3,100 people from 28 agencies conducting enforcement activities in all eight wards in the District.

Composed of federal and local law enforcement, as well as the National Guard, the Task Force is focused on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children. The Task Force has located or recovered 19 missing children since the start of the operation.

This operation reflects each agency’s commitment to the Task Force’s coordinated enforcement efforts and its mission to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.

• After the June 30, 2025, killing of 21-year-old congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an innocent bystander in a northwest Washington shootout, and the catalyst for this operation, the Task Force arrested three suspects. Jailen Lucas, 17, and Kelvin Thomas, 17, were arrested on September 5, 2025, and charged as adults. The third suspect, Naqwan Lucas, 18, was apprehended on October 29, 2025, and charged in a second indictment for the July 4 murder of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley.

• Laurence Cotton-Powell, 19, and Anthony Taylor, 18, were arrested in October for their roles in the August 3, 2025, attempted carjacking, robbery, and beating of a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.

• Alvin Young, 47, was arrested December 3, 2025, and charged with first-degree murder while armed, following a fatal shooting in March 2022.

• Hieu Vu was arrested December 3, 2025, on multiple charges including kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon (two counts) and being a fugitive from justice.

• Christopher Watts was arrested December 5, 2025, on a warrant out of Florida for cruelty toward a child, promoting sexual performance, and solicitation of a child via computer.

• On January 16, Jose Vladimir Merlos-Manjano, 18, and two other suspects wanted on warrants for first-degree murder in connection to the August 2025 shooting death of a 14-year-old boy in Prince George’s County, were arrested during a large-scale warrant operation led by the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. All three suspects are confirmed MS-13 gang members.

• Richard Brown was arrested February 8 for possession of a machine gun, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device, unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of receiving stolen property, unlawful entry of a vehicle, fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a vehicle, and reckless driving. Task Force members attempted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle that was in violation of multiple traffic laws. Brown, who was driving the vehicle, refused to stop and fled into Prince George’s County. After a brief vehicle pursuit, Brown bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by Task Force members. A search of the vehicle yielded a Glock handgun with a large capacity feeding device and a machine gun conversion device (switch).

Anyone with information about wanted fugitives is encouraged to submit it via the USMS Tips app.

A large-capacity ammunition feeding device is typically defined as any magazine, belt, drum, or similar device capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, or that can be readily converted to do so. These devices are heavily regulated in several jurisdictions and are often restricted, with exceptions for law enforcement or pre-ban items.

In Washington, D.C., possessing a large-capacity ammunition feeding device is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years of incarceration and a $12,500 fine.