Birmingham Man Indicted on Drug and Gun Charges

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted a Birmingham man on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.

A four-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Terry Lee Skanes, Jr. 21, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to the indictment, in October 2021, Skanes illegally possessed a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and a 5.56 American Tactical, Inc. semi-automatic pistol, five grams or more of methamphetamine, heroin, and a mixture containing a detectable amount of heroin and fentanyl.

The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison.

The penalty range for possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine is 5 to 40 years in prison.

The maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute heroin and a mixture containing a detectable amount of heroin and fentanyl is 20 years in prison.

The minimum penalty for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime is five years in prison.

ATF investigated the case, along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.