Federal Judge Critiques DC Police in Gun Seizure Case

Sat Nov 22 2025 07:05:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes rebuked the Metropolitan Police for using discredited testimony to seize a gun, raising concerns about the integrity of police officers and their impact on public trust.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled that police officers acted illegally when they seized a gun from a man outside a laundromat. Judge Ana Reyes criticized the reliance on discredited testimony from Officer Harvy Hinostroza, prompting important discussions on police credibility and public trust in law enforcement. Reyes has barred the gun's inclusion as evidence in ongoing firearms charges against the individual.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge ruled Thursday that police in the nation’s capital illegally seized a gun from a man they stopped outside a laundromat, blasting the officers’ account as unreliable and sharply criticizing Justice Department prosecutors for relying on testimony from an officer who has been discredited by other judges.

The ruling arrives amid unprecedented scrutiny of policing practices in Washington, D.C., particularly concerning allegations of officer misconduct and an increase in federal law enforcement presence in the district this past year.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes expressed distress that federal prosecutors chose to present Investigator Harvy Hinostroza as a witness, despite multiple judges raising doubts about his credibility in previous cases. The ruling not only addresses the specifics of the May arrest but also emphasizes the need for careful vetting of law enforcement witnesses, as public trust in policing continues to be a critical issue in national discussions.

Reyes stated she is 'extremely disappointed' and asserted that the courts must not endure instances of police officers providing false statements under oath, undermining public confidence in the justice system.

Following the ruling, Reyes barred the use of the seized gun as evidence against Deandre Davis, the individual charged with firearm offenses after the incident at the laundromat. The judge indicated she may consider dismissing the charges if federal prosecutors do not voluntarily withdraw them in the next 30 days.

While Hinostroza claimed to have seen Davis handling a marijuana cigarette, defense attorney Eugene Ohm pointed out that surveillance footage contradicts crucial parts of the officers’ testimony. Ohm characterized Hinostroza's assertions as implausible and highlighted the necessity for credible evidence in cases involving law enforcement.

In light of her conclusions about the case, Reyes cautioned Davis about the seriousness of his situation, advising him to reflect carefully on his next steps and stressing that he may not receive another chance as lenient as this one.