Convicted Felon Sentenced to 145 months in Prison on Drug and Gun Charges

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A convicted felon was sentenced on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Lonnie Dean Hewlett, 30, of Huntsville, to 145 months in prison. Hewlett pleaded guilty in July 2023 to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to a plea agreement, on May 18, 2020, Hewlett, attempting to elude law enforcement, led officers on a chase.  During the chase, a female passenger either jumped from or was thrown from a vehicle.  Also, during the chase, officers observed the rear passenger throw a black backpack from the vehicle.  Once officers were close enough to determine the rear passenger was a child, officers discontinued their pursuit.  The bag thrown from the vehicle was recovered and officers discovered a firearm, a loaded 30-round magazine, a loaded 15-round magazine, a 100-round drum magazine, cocaine, and a set of digital scales.

The ATF investigated the case along with the Huntsville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pillsbury prosecuted the case.