Press Release
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Firearm Possession
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced an Atlanta man for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
Chief U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Kareem Jamal Young, 38, of Atlanta, Ga., to 188 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a SCCY 9mm pistol in March 2017. Young pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2021.
“Prosecuting career criminals who continue to possess firearms is an important part of reducing violent crime in this district,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Convicted felons with guns, especially those individuals involved in promoting violence or drugs, will be held accountable in a federal prison.”
“It is imperative to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons who use them in the furtherance of violent crimes,” ATF SAC Mickey French. “ATF will continue to work in conjunction with law enforcement agencies and the community to remove the criminal element that have a negative impact to our communities.”
Young was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which provides a sentencing range of fifteen years to life for individuals who have been convicted of federal gun crimes and have at least three prior felony convictions for crimes of violence and/or serious drug offenses. Young was convicted on August 25, 2009, in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, for Robbery and Distribution of a Controlled Substance. He was also convicted on January 4, 2002, in the Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County for Robbery and Escape.
ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Garnett and Jonathan Cross prosecuted the case.
Updated May 26, 2021
Topics
Project Safe Neighborhoods
Violent Crime