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Press Release

MOBILE MAN SENTENCED TO 33 MONTHS FOR TRANSMITTING INTERSTATE THREATS TO INJURE

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

MOBILE, AL – Cloepha Franks, a Mobile, Alabama man, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for transmitting interstate threats to injure. Franks was convicted of this offense at trial in November 2023. The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Kristi K. DuBose. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, following his termination from a local construction company, Franks sent a series of threatening text messages to his former boss threatening to kill him. 

The jury heard evidence that Franks sent the messages from Alabama to the victim who was in Mississippi. Records of the text messages and cell phone records confirmed Franks’ phone transmitted the messages to the victim. 

The victim testified about receiving the threats. He and other witnesses from the construction company testified about precautions taken after Franks transmitted the threats and the fear his actions caused. The FBI testified concerning the ongoing threat to life investigation and evidence obtained from Franks’ cell phone and cell phone records. 

At the sentencing hearing held earlier today, Judge DuBose imposed a 33-month sentence of incarceration and a 3-year term of supervised release upon Franks’ discharge from prison. Franks will also be required to undergo mental health evaluation and alcohol monitoring. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Mobile Division led this investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Beth Stepan and Chris Bodnar prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.  

Updated May 7, 2024