Department of Justice

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Birmingham man on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Mickey French.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Terry Lee Skanes, Jr., 22, to 120 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during and in relation to that drug trafficking crime.

According to the plea agreement, in October 2021, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Skanes. When Skanes exited the vehicle, a deputy smelled marijuana and saw drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. In searching the vehicle, deputies recovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol, a 5.56 American Tactical pistol, approximately 31 grams of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances.

“Guns in the hands of a drug dealer is a frequently deadly combination,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Our law enforcement partners focus their efforts on offenders whose activities threaten our communities with illegal drugs and the violence associated with drug dealing. We are grateful for the work of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and ATF in taking this dealer off the street.”

“Illegal firearm possession and the distribution of narcotics in our communities is dangerous and damaging to everyone involved in the criminal activity,” said SAC French. “The ATF along with our local, state, and federal partners work tirelessly to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics, and other acts of violence within our community. ATF will remain in lockstep with our local, state, and federal partners in our continuing effort to combat violent crime and maintain public safety.”

ATF investigated the case, along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty prosecuted the case.