Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
A Mobile man, Tesean R. James, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms possession while being a federal fugitive. According to court documents, James was previously convicted in 2019 for a marijuana trafficking conspiracy and had absconded from supervision after his release in September 2021.
In July 2023, law enforcement attempted to arrest James on a fugitive warrant, leading to a high-speed chase through Mobile. Although he initially evaded capture, agents recovered two pistols and seven pounds of marijuana from his abandoned vehicle. In December 2023, James was apprehended after another foot chase. A search of the residence where he was staying revealed over 34 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, $34,000 in drug proceeds, and two guns.
James admitted to receiving large shipments of marijuana coordinated via encrypted apps and confessed awareness of his fugitive status. His cell phones contained evidence of narcotics sales and acknowledgment of his status as a wanted individual.
Chief United States District Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock sentenced James to an additional five-year supervised release term with mental health treatment requirements post-incarceration. No fine was imposed; however, James must pay $300 in special assessments and forfeited his guns and electronic devices.
The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama. The case involved investigations by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshals Service; Homeland Security Investigations; and the Mobile Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities.
