Tuscaloosa Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Tuscaloosa resident and six-time convicted felon to prison for possessing a pistol during a 2018 shooting at an intersection on Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Acting Special Agent in Charge Toby Taylor.
Chief U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced LARRY LEON BRYANT, 34, to 262 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm under the Armed Career Criminal Act. A jury convicted Bryant after a two-day trial in October of 2019.
“Bryant’s lengthy sentence was driven by his extensive criminal history that included multiple drug distribution convictions,” Escalona said. “We continue to focus our prosecutions on felons who arm themselves, especially those who use firearms to continue their criminal activity.”
“Removing the criminal element that uses a firearm to facilitate violent crimes is a priority of ATF,” ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge, Toby Taylor said. “This focused investigation of an individual with an extensive criminal history will have a lasting impact within this community.”
On December 13, 2018, Bryant’s SUV was stolen from his driveway. Later that day, Bryant and his brother located the SUV on East Skyland Boulevard. Bryant stopped behind the SUV at a red light, and Bryant’s brother pulled in front of the SUV. Traffic camera video showed that the brother fired a shot into the windshield and then met Bryant at the driver’s side door. Shots were then fired into the driver’s side of the SUV.
Tuscaloosa police arrested both men at the scene and collected two pistols. A subsequent examination of the SUV, the pistols, and expended bullets and shell casings determined that multiple pistols had been fired with rounds entering not only through the windshield but also through the driver’s window and the rear tailgate doors. The driver of the SUV, a juvenile, was struck in the head but survived. Bryant gave a post-Miranda statement admitting to firing into the SUV.
ATF investigated the case along with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Baty and Brittney Bucak prosecuted the charge.
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