WASHINGTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
WASHINGTON – Savon Lee Blanchard, 33, a previously convicted killer residing in Temple Hills, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with his illegal possession of a Glock 30 pistol that was recovered following a foot chase after police stopped him on a stolen ATV, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Blanchard pleaded guilty before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge Sooknanan scheduled sentencing for March 2, 2027.
Blanchard was previously convicted in 2016 in Prince Georges County of involuntary manslaughter in the 2011 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Alusine Kargbo of Lanham, who was shot in the back as he played basketball at an elementary school in New Carrollton. For that slaying, Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in prison with five years suspended for the murder and sentenced to an additional 20 years in prison for use of a handgun in commission of a crime of violence for which he was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 15 years suspended.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2026, about 5:20 p.m., Blanchard was sitting on a white Yamaha Raptor 700R 4-wheeler, an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), that was stopped and running near the intersection of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE and Hayes Street NE. At the same time, Metropolitan Police officers and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives drove by on patrol.
The stolen Yamaha Raptor ATV.
An MPD investigator attempted to initiate a traffic stop of the ATV and pulled his marked patrol vehicle in front of the ATV to stop it from fleeing. An ATF agent pulled his own patrol vehicle directly behind the ATV.
Blanchard (circled in red) flees from law enforcement. The Glock is circled in yellow.
Blanchard dismounted the ATV and fled on foot. Law enforcement chased Blanchard down the sidewalk. As officers ran, they heard a metal object clank against the sidewalk. One of the agents stopped and recovered a black Glock Model 30 .45 caliber pistol that Blanchard had dropped. The firearm was loaded with 12 rounds in the magazine. Another round was found on the ground near the weapon.
Police recovered this Glock Model 30 and a magazine containing 12 rounds.
Police and ATF agents apprehended Blanchard moments later. A check on the ATV revealed it had been reported stolen out of Anne Arundel County. Subsequently, officers reviewed footage from surveillance cameras that showed them chasing Blanchard, the Glock coming off Blanchard’s person as he ran, and the Glock sliding along the concrete sidewalk.
As a previously convicted felon, Blanchard was prohibited from carrying any firearm.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office. The matter is being prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.
Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.
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