Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The United States Attorney, Richard W. Moore, announces that the following men entered guilty pleas to federal gun crimes:

 

On September 14, 2018, George Armstead, a 29 year old resident of Selma, Alabama pled guilty to possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.  At the change of plea hearing, Armstead agreed that on May 22, 2018, a Selma, AL police officer initiated a traffic stop on a green Honda being driven by Armstead for speeding.  During a routine records check using Armstead’s driver’s license information, the officer learned that Armstead had an outstanding warrant.  The officer told Armstead he was going to be arrested based on the warrant and asked Armstead if he has weapons or contraband in the vehicle because it would be towed.  Armstead told the officer that “his brother’s firearm” was inside the vehicle underneath the passenger seat.  The firearm was seized.  It is described as a Smith & Wesson, .40 caliber pistol.  The firearm had been reported stolen sometime prior to May 22, 2018.  Later that day, Armstead was Mirandized and agreed to talk to police.  The interview was recorded.  Armstead said that the firearm was his and that he placed it underneath the passenger seat.  Armstead said that he bought the firearm off the streets for $100 because he thought it was being sold for a good price.  Armstead also said that he bought the pistol for protection.  He further said that he was a felon and was on state probation for Robbery 1st Degree.  Armstead said that he was not a bad guy. At that time, Armstead had been convicted of a felony, Robbery 1st, on April 6, 2015 in the Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama, case number CC-2013-000146.  Armstead’s sentencing is set for December 14, 2018.  Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and officers of the Selma, Alabama police department investigated the case.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant U. S. Attorney, Gina S. Vann.

 

On September 19, 2018, Clarence Brenson, a 25 year old resident of Selma, Alabama pled guilty to possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.  At the change of plea hearing, Brenson agreed that on June 2, 2018, Selma, AL police officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by a female for failing to yield for an emergency vehicle.  Brenson was in the front passenger seat and two small children were in the back seat.  The officers smelled the strong odor of marijuana and asked the female to exit the vehicle.  When she did, she told the officers she had been smoking marijuana.  Officers asked her if they would find marijuana if they searched the vehicle and she said, “No” because she smoked it all.  She gave permission to search the vehicle.  As Brenson exited the front passenger seat officers, observed a Romarm/Cugir, model WSAR-10, 7.62X39 caliber rifle on the floor board.  The firearm was loaded.  While Brenson was seated, the firearm was between his feet.  Brenson told the officers he did not have identification and gave the officers his social security number.  Brenson also told the officers he was a registered sex offender.  Brenson agreed that he was in constructive possession of the firearm that was between his feet at the time of the traffic stop.  A search of the vehicle yielded a small amount of marijuana and spent shell casings.  At that time, Brenson had been convicted of a felony, Rape 2nd, on June 13, 2016 in the Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama, case number CC-2013-000238.  Brenson’s sentencing is set for December 19, 2018.  Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and officers of the Selma, Alabama police department investigated the case.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant U. S. Attorney, Gina S. Vann.

 

On September 25, 2018, Jermaine Butler, a 27 year old resident of Selma, Alabama, pled guilty to possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.  At the change of plea hearing, Butler agreed that on May 25, 2018, Dallas County, AL deputies set up a random driver’s license checkpoint in Selma, Alabama.  A Chevrolet Impala driven by Butler stopped several yards short of the checkpoint.  Deputies motioned for Butler to continue to the checkpoint.  Butler then drove past the checkpoint then stopped.  As deputies approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, they smelled marijuana and saw one passenger in the vehicle with Butler.  Both were asked to exit the vehicle.  When Butler opened the front driver’s side door, deputies saw a small amount of marijuana.  Butler was immediately detained.  Deputies then saw a rifle on the floorboard of the backseat of the vehicle.  The rifle was loaded.  The rifle is described as a Zastava, model N-PAP DF, 7.62X39 caliber rifle.  A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted.  The search discovered another quantity of marijuana stuffed between the front seats.  Butler then stated that the rifle and the marijuana were his and the passenger also stated that the rifle and marijuana belonged to Butler.  Butler was previously convicted of Assault 1st Degree on March 3, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama, case number CC-2012-000045. Butler’s sentencing is set for January 18, 2018.  Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and deputies of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant U. S. Attorney, Gina S. Vann.

 

On September 25, 2018, Chadwick Blake, a 31 year old resident of Selma, Alabama pled guilty to possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.  At the change of plea hearing Blake agreed on October 24, 2017, Daryl Bradford, an Alabama Parole Officer conducted a home visit of Blake at his residence.  Bradford found one round of 9mm ammunition in Blake’s pocket.  Bradford arrested Blake for violating his probation.  Bradford then searched Blake’s residence.  Bradford found a Taurus, model Millennium, G2, 9mm pistol.  Blake was previously convicted of Assault 2nd, on August 12, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Dallas County, Alabama, case number CC-2015-000123. Blake’s sentencing is set for January 8, 2018.  Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, investigators of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and officers of the Selma, Alabama police department investigated the case.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant U. S. Attorney, Gina S. Vann.