Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Convicted Felon Sentenced on Gun Charge
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced a convicted felon yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.
U.S. District Court Judge Annmarie C. Axon sentenced Cedric Dewayne Young, 33, of Fairfield, to two years in prison. Young pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in October 2021.
“This defendant resisted arrest and put police officers’ lives in danger,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “Our officers serve with selfless sacrifice each and every day to protect our communities, and I commend the Birmingham Police Officers for their actions in safely apprehending this defendant.”
“We must be diligent in our efforts to keep firearms out of the hands of people who make the decision to use them in an illegal manner,” SAC French said. “The ATF will continue to work with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners and use any necessary resources to combat the violent gun crimes that occur within our communities.”
According to the plea agreement, on November 23, 2020, Birmingham Police officers were conducting an investigation at a residence in Birmingham. The complainants advised the officers that Young pointed a firearm at them. The complainants gave a description of the suspect’s vehicle. The officers issued a BOLO (“be on the lookout”) for the suspect vehicle. A short time later, an officer saw a vehicle that matched the description of Young’s vehicle at a convenience store on Jefferson Avenue SW. Two officers made contact with Young inside the store. Young was uncooperative with officers during his arrest. When officers finally got control of Young, he refused to move his right hand from under his body. Officers found a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol in the waistband of Young’s shorts.
The ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.