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Press Release

Mobile County Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Conspiring to Steal and to Knowingly Possess Stolen Firearms

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

United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced that Tyler McIlwain, a 20 year old resident of  Eight Mile, Alabama was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration for conspiring to steal and knowingly possess stolen firearms.

On November 29, 2018, McIlwain entered a guilty plea pursuant to a plea agreement and admitted in open court that on July 5, 2018, McIlwain and a cohort burglarized a home in Creola, Alabama.  During the burglary they stole four (4) firearms, namely, an Anderson, .30 caliber rifle, model 300 Blackout; an Anderson, .223 caliber rifle; an Anderson, .30 caliber rifle; and a Marlin, .22 caliber rifle.

Shortly after the burglary, a Creola police officer attempted to stop a red Nissan truck, registered to McIlwain, for speeding.  First the driver of the Nissan truck tried to flee by speeding up and attempting to elude the police following behind.  Next, the Nissan truck stopped and the three occupants inside jumped out and ran.  Two of the occupants were caught and one got away.  McIlwain and one other were caught.  All of the stolen firearms were recovered from the Nissan truck.  After waiving his Miranda Rights, McIlwain stated that he and a cohort burglarized the residence and stole the firearms.  He also stated that the other person in his vehicle was not involved.

Officers of the Creola, Alabama Police Department, deputies of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and special agents of the FBI investigated the case and brought it to the U. S. Attorney=s Office for prosecution.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney Gina S. Vann.

Updated April 1, 2019