A Birmingham man has been sentenced to 36 years in prison for possessing a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and other related charges. U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced the sentencing.
U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala handed down the sentence to Frederick Leonard Temple, Jr., also known as “Cutt” and “Cutthroat,” who is 35 years old. In February, Temple was convicted by a jury on several charges, including possession of a machine gun, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
“This sentence sends a clear message that violent, criminal conduct like Defendant Temple’s will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “I commend our law enforcement partners and prosecutors for their unwavering commitment to ensuring Temple was brought to justice.”
“Today’s sentencing illustrates the continuous commitment that the ATF shares with our state, local, and federal law-enforcement partners to combat the illegal possession of firearms, fight violent crime, and remove narcotics from the streets,” said ATF Special Acting Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz. “We will continue to utilize all of our resources in an effort to maintain public safety in the communities that we serve.”
Evidence presented at trial showed that Temple distributed fentanyl on two occasions. On January 26, 2022, members of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force and officers from the Birmingham Police Department executed a search warrant at Temple’s residence. During this search, drugs and firearms were found in a rear bedroom where an infant was located. The search led to the seizure of 14 firearms, including a Glock 9 mm pistol equipped with a machine gun-conversion device known as a “Glock switch,” high-capacity firearm magazines including 100- and 50-round drum magazines, various ammunition types, fentanyl, methamphetamine, six digital scales of different sizes, and other drug paraphernalia.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case alongside the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Alan Kirk prosecuted it.
