Judge suppresses gun, rebukes DOJ over officer credibility
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that D.C. police illegally seized a gun from Deandre Davis during a May 19 stop outside a laundromat and barred prosecutors from using the firearm as evidence, sharply criticizing DOJ for relying on Metropolitan Police Investigator Harvy Hinostroza, whose testimony other judges have discredited. Reyes said she did not believe key portions of Hinostroza’s account, noted prior credibility findings against him, and warned she will consider dismissing the case if the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not drop charges within 30 days; U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro defended the case, citing video she says backs officers’ accounts.
Justice Department
Policing Accountability
📌 Key Facts
- Judge: Ana Reyes; Court: U.S. District Court for D.C.; ruling date: Nov. 20, 2025
- Defendant: Deandre Davis; incident: May 19, 2025 stop outside a D.C. laundromat; charge: firearms-related
- Evidence suppressed: seized gun; judge indicated possible dismissal if charges aren’t dropped in 30 days
- Officer at issue: MPD Investigator Harvy Hinostroza; prior credibility concerns noted by at least two D.C. Superior Court judges
- Defense cited surveillance video contradicting officers’ stated reasons for the approach; DOJ’s Jeanine Pirro issued a statement disputing the judge’s credibility finding