Man Who Arrested with Gun in Beach Chair in DC Gets It Suppressed so Asks for Phone Back

DDC COURTHOUSE, April 15 – On August 22, 2025, law enforcement zeroed in an a man "sitting in a lawn chair holding what officers recognized as a small personal size wine bottle."  (In the subsequent Statement of Facts, photos of the Sutter Home Sweet Red bottle, and the beach chair, were included). More seriously, he was found with a 9mm Springfield Armory Hellcat pistol. He was arrested, and released on bond.

  On March 31, 2025 a suppression hearing was held by U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Reggie B. Walton.  As issue was the arresting officer citing mylar bags as an alternate basis for probably cause. The gun was suppressed.

  A status conference was held on April 15 before Judge Walton.  Inner City Press was there, in the otherwise empty gallery.

The AUSA said his office did not intend to appeal, and that the case would be dimissed. Judge Walton agreed, but admonished the defendant to watch himself, since it was clear he had the gun.  The defendant went to the lectern to ask for his phone back.

The case is USA v. Simpson, 1:25-cr-261 (Walton)

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