Kevin P. Davidson, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama
A Montgomery man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison following convictions related to drug and gun offenses. Richard Eugene Moore, Jr., aged 37, received the sentence on February 5, 2025. In addition to the prison term, Moore will serve three years of supervised release afterward. Federal inmates do not qualify for parole.
Court records indicate that on September 20, 2023, an Alabama state trooper attempted to stop a vehicle in Montgomery for a traffic violation. The vehicle was driven by Moore with two female passengers and a toddler inside. Moore refused to pull over, leading to a pursuit during which he discarded items from the car. The chase ended when Moore ran a stop sign and collided with an unmarked police car. He then tried to escape on foot but was captured nearby. All occupants of the vehicle sustained minor injuries while the officer involved required hospitalization due to more serious injuries.
Items recovered from the pursuit included a Glock handgun and a backpack containing several bags of marijuana and a digital scale. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance as marijuana. Due to prior felony convictions, Moore is barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On September 16, 2024, Moore pleaded guilty to charges including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. He also admitted guilt for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“On a weekday afternoon, Moore led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the streets of Montgomery when school traffic was at its peak,” stated Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. “This type of reckless behavior cannot be tolerated. The 15-year sentence ordered by the judge was completely justified due to Moore’s total disregard for the safety of everyone on the road that day, including law enforcement and his passengers.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon W. Bates prosecuted the case.
