Tuscaloosa Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Gun Possession Thanks to Joint Law Enforcement Effort

A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced STANLEY KEON WALKER, 23, of Tuscaloosa to 120 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus S. Watson and Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Hays Webb.

            “Developing stronger relationships with local and state law enforcement continues to be a top priority for my office,” Town said. “This defendant got the jurisdictional maximum sentence of ten years for possessing a firearm.  Our state partners recognized that this defendant was one of their worst offenders, knew a state charge would likely result in probation or a short sentence, and helped us prosecute this case in federal court where there are real consequences and real time behind bars.  This is the new normal!”

            ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson said. “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers are the driving force to reduce the violent crime that plagues our neighborhoods. This sentencing illustrates the effective partnerships with law enforcement and the community.”

            It starts with good relationships, and I am very happy with our collaborations with the U.S Attorney’s Office,” Webb said.  “Our shared focus is public safety, and I am always pleased when we get violent criminals off of our Tuscaloosa County streets.”

            Court records relate the arrest that led to Walker’s conviction as follows:

On or about June 29, 2016, officers of the Tuscaloosa Police were dispatched to an apartment complex after a caller advised that several people with guns were preparing to fight there.  Officers responding to the scene and observed the car that had been identified as belonging to Walker, who was involved in the pending altercation.

Officers approached the car, which had a window partially down, and gave orders for Walker to get out of the car.  Walker initially acted as though he were going to comply, but then accelerated toward the officers and their patrol vehicles, striking a police officer, a police car and a civilian vehicle.  He exited the vehicle and ran.  Officers found Walker hiding under an SUV in the apartment complex parking lot.  Officers found a gun in the driver’s side floorboard of the car that Walker was driving. 

Walker previously was convicted of two counts of attempted murder in May 2015 in Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County. 

Walker pleaded guilty to the charge in June.

            ATF investigated the case, in partnership with the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s Office, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood prosecuted.

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