Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced James Kingsborough, age 26, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kingsborough was convicted by a federal jury on June 22, 2016.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Daniel L. Board Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

According to the evidence presented at the two-day trial, on June 17, 2015, at approximately 11:25 a.m., Baltimore Police officers saw Kingsborough bent over at the waist appearing to be injured. The officers approached Kingsborough inquiring if he was “OK.” Kingsborough responded he was “on the box,” meaning he had on an electronic monitoring device. Kingsborough departed abruptly and walked across the intersection of North Franklintown Road and West Franklin Street. As he walked, the officers saw him adjusting his waistband and altering his gait in a manner suggesting he had a firearm. Kingsborough went into a nearby barber shop and an officer followed him inside. Kingsborough turned around, grabbed his right midsection, and walked towards the officer. The officer instructed Kingsborough to show his hands, but Kingsborough refused. The officer attempted to grab Kingsborough, who shifted out of the officer’s grasp, but the officer was able to grab the back of Kingsborough’s shirt as he squirmed past the officer. Kingsborough and officer struggled through the shop’s front door and the second officer approached them. A firearm dropped from Kingsborough’s waistband onto the ground and Kingsborough and the second officer began struggling. The first officer, fearing for the safety of his fellow officer, deployed his Taser. The officers arrested Kingsborough and recovered the firearm, a .380 caliber handgun, loaded with .380 hollow point rounds.

Kingsborough is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as a result of four previous felony convictions, including a conviction for attempted second degree murder. This offense occurred less than five months after Kingsborough’s release from prison on that conviction.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Metcalf and John W. Sippel, Jr. who prosecuted the case.

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