Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Birmingham Man Sentenced for Using Stolen ID to Buy Pistols
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Birmingham man for making a false statement to a firearms dealer, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon sentenced Nasheed Kareem Hutchins, 22, to 24 months in prison for making a false statement during the purchase of pistols from two Tuscaloosa gun stores. Hutchins pleaded guilty to these charges in February.
According to the plea agreement, using the stolen identification card of another man, Hutchins purchased six pistols from Wade’s Jewelry and Pawn and two pistols from Quick Pawn Shop #9 on the same day. The ATF began an investigation after law enforcement officers in New Jersey recovered one of the guns from a felon within a short time after it was purchased in Tuscaloosa.
After security video at one of the gun stores ruled out the individual whose identification card was used, ATF agents tracked down the true purchaser, Hutchins, using contact information provided during one of the purchases and an unrelated booking video of Hutchins from the Tuscaloosa County Jail. That video showed Hutchins wearing the same distinctive shirt as the gun buyer. Hutchins later admitted using the identification card to buy the guns.
“Illegally obtained firearms are a major source of crime guns throughout the United States,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “My office is committed to prosecuting those who illegally acquire and possess firearms.”
“The partnerships with the public safety departments and the U.S. Attorney’s office were crucial in reducing the potential for violent crime in this case,” SAC French said.
The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty prosecuted.