Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Defendant Sentenced on Federal Firearm Charged
United States Attorney Kenyen R. Brown of the Southern District of Alabama announces that Kenneth Jerome Wade, Jr. of Mobile was sentenced, following an October 2014 guilty plea to a charge of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Wade was previously convicted of Theft of Property, Second Degree, in Pike County in 2004; and, Possession of Forged Instrument, Second Degree, in Mobile County in 2004. By virtue of these convictions, Wade is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On May 28, 2014, the Mobile Police Department began an investigation of Wade for pawning a stolen firearm. The investigation revealed Wade pawned a Glock .40 caliber pistol, on May 12, 2014, at a pawn shop in Theodore. Wade was subsequently interviewed in relation to a false report of criminal activity made by him. Wade admitted making the false report and stated that on May 12, 2014, along with other items he pawned a Rossi .38 Special revolver at a pawn shop on Highway 90. Further investigation revealed that Wade pawned additional firearms during the previous year. Two of the firearms, a .308 caliber rifle and a .380 caliber pistol were recovered from pawn shops in Theodore and Mobile.
Possession of a firearm or ammunition by a previously convicted felon is a violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(g)(1). United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose varied from the applicable advisory sentencing guideline range, and imposed a 24 month sentence of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years supervised release.
This case was referred for prosecution by Sgt. Louis Screws of the Mobile Police Department, who is assigned as a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.