Mobile Man Sentenced To 57 Months For Firearm Offenses

MOBILE, AL -- Cleo Clemons, 41, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently. Clemons entered a guilty plea to these offenses on April 27, 2023. 

According to court documents filed in connection with his guilty plea, on January 10, 2021, officers initiated a traffic stop on a black Cadillac Escalade. The vehicle appeared to be racing another vehicle and was traveling at approximately 105 mph in a posted 50 mph zone. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Clemons. Clemons was found to have a felony warrant for his arrest. Inside the vehicle officers located a Taurus 9mm pistol, loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Clemons’ DNA was found on the firearm.

On July 28, 2022, a warrant was issued with the federal indictment for the January 10 incident. On December 26, 2022, a Mobile Police Department officer was traveling south on Mobile Street approaching Spring Hill Avenue. He observed a black GMC Denali pull out of the gas station in front of him. The officer knew that the driver of that vehicle, Clemons, had felony warrants from FBI for firearm charges. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but Clemons did not stop and made several turns down residential streets at high speed. Clemons led officers on a seven-mile chase that reached speeds of up to 80 mph in residential areas before he was taken into custody. Inside the vehicle the officer located a 16-round magazine in the center console and a loaded Smith and Wesson SD9VE semiautomatic pistol wedged between the cover of the sunroof and the sunroof. There was also an extended magazine in the same spot.

Clemons had been previously convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine).

Chief Judge Jeffrey Beaverstock imposed a 57-month sentence of incarceration and a 3-year term of supervised release upon his discharge from prison. Chief Judge Beaverstock ordered that Clemons pay $200 in special assessments.  

The Mobile Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case.