Muskegon Heights Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Federal Prison For Firearms Offense

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Stephen Adonis Conley, age 30, also known as "Steph," of Muskegon Heights, Michigan was sentenced to the maximum possible sentence of 10 years in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney imposed a three-year term of supervised release that will commence once Conley is released from imprisonment.

          Conley came to the attention of law enforcement after he sold heroin to a police informant on September 8, 2016. Police executed a search warrant at the home in which Conley was staying the following day, where they found Conley in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a loaded .357 revolver, a large quantity of cash, drug paraphernalia, and some heroin. Conley was arrested on scene, and he pled guilty on January 26, 2017, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

          In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued in favor of the 10-year sentence, noting that "[t]rafficking in illegal drugs while having ready access to loaded handguns poses a significant risk to the community." The danger in Conley’s case was highlighted by his significant criminal history, which included convictions for aggravated assault, domestic violence, felon in possession of a firearm, and drug trafficking. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also noted that the Muskegon-area community was suffering from violence and drug trafficking, and there was a great need to deter such conduct.

          "While gang violence and drug trafficking continues to plague the safety and security of our neighborhoods, this sentencing underscores the continuing impact that the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET) and Muskegon Violent Crimes Task Force is having on the ability of gang members to threaten our communities," said David P. Gelios, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Division of the FBI.

          This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Lewis. The charges in this case are the result of a joint investigation by the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET) and the Muskegon Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Michigan State Police (MSP), and the Muskegon City Police

          Department. The U.S. Attorney's Office, the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office, and federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in the Muskegon area.

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