Department of Justice

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Montrel Hammond, a multi-convicted felon who has a violent criminal history, will spend over 17 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

On Oct. 3, 2023, Hammond, 31, of North Little Rock, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Judge Moody did not assess the defendant a fine but did sentence Hammond to also serve not more than five years of supervised release. Hammond, who has a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, was indicted on July 5, 2023, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum penalty Hammond faced was not less than 15 years and no more than life in prison and a fine of $250,000.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Hammond’s sentence was based on the offense as well as his documented violent criminal history involving women and children. Hammond also has a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as prior convictions for domestic battery, possession of a controlled substance, and residential burglary.

On Oct. 27, 2022, Little Rock Police Department officers stopped a 2008 black Santa Fe that matched the description of a vehicle suspected in the breaking and entering of several other vehicles in the area. The driver, Montrel Hammond, was taken into custody and interviewed regarding his involvement in the suspected breaking or entering offenses. He admitted at that time to breaking into a 2021 Toyota Rav4 and stealing several credit cards. The defendant’s vehicle was searched and the stolen credit cards were located. During this search, a 9 mm firearm was found under the driver’s seat.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance of the Little Rock Police Department.

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