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Press Release

Atmore Man Sentenced to Five Years for Illegally Possessing a Sawed-Off Rifle

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Alabama

MOBILE, AL – An Atmore man was sentenced to five years in prison for being a felon in possession of a sawed-off rifle.

According to court documents, Cedric Jarrell Pierce, 28, was arrested on November 24, 2020 after he refused to stop for a speeding violation and led sheriff’s deputies on a 13-mile high-speed chase that began in Robertsdale, Alabama. The chase ended in Bay Minette, Alabama after deputies used a spike strip to disable Pierce’s car. Deputies arrested Pierce and searched the car. Underneath the passenger seat, deputies found a Remington .22-caliber rifle with a 14-inch barrel, which is less than the barrel length of 16 inches required by federal law. After recovering the rifle, deputies spoke with Pierce, who admitted that he ran from law enforcement because he knew he had the rifle and was not allowed to possess it as a convicted felon.

Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock ordered Pierce to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he will undergo drug testing and treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Beaverstock ordered Pierce to pay $100 in special assessments.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

Updated February 9, 2022