Court Rules Police Actions in Gun Seizure Case Were Unlawful

Fri Nov 21 2025 19:25:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A D.C. judge criticizes police testimony as unreliable, raising questions on the integrity of the judicial system.

In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes dismissed the legality of a gun seizure from a man arrested by D.C. police, labeling the officers' credibility as questionable. This judgement highlights deep concerns regarding the justice system's reliability amidst rising scrutiny of police conduct in Washington D.C.

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, blaming the officers’ account as unreliable and sharply criticizing Justice Department prosecutors for relying on a discredited witness.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes expressed significant disappointment in the prosecution's choice to utilize Metropolitan Police Department Investigator Harvy Hinostroza’s testimony, emphasizing a serious need for vetting the credibility of police officers involved in critical legal proceedings.

Reyes' ruling brings renewed attention to the state of policing in Washington D.C., which is currently facing heightened scrutiny over law enforcement misconduct and a surge in federal resources aimed at tackling crime in the area.

The case involving Deandre Davis raises further questions about systemic issues within the judicial process, sparking debate on how prosecutors handle evidence and witness accounts. Reyes noted past incidents where Hinostroza’s honesty was previously called into question by other judges.

Reyes stated, The courts can’t tolerate police officers falsely testifying under oath, suggesting that such actions seriously undermine public trust.

Davis was arrested on firearms charges after police approached him on May 19. Reyes barred the use of the seized gun as evidence and noted the potential for charges to be outright dismissed if the prosecution does not reassess its position within 30 days.

In a defense of Hinostroza’s testimony, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office expressed their discontent with the judge's comments, labeling them as unfounded given the evidence available. Furthermore, defense attorney Eugene Ohm pointed out inconsistencies in the officers' narratives that contradict surveillance video details.

As law enforcement practices remain under scrutiny nationwide, this case illustrates the ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of testimony provided by police, stressing the critical relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.