A man from Midfield, Alabama, has been sentenced to over four years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Billy Keith Hamilton, 42, received a 24-month sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release. He was also given an additional consecutive 27 months after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This brings his total sentence to 51 months in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2024, an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency state trooper stopped Hamilton during a traffic stop and notified him about an outstanding arrest warrant. Hamilton initially followed instructions but then fled with his minor children still inside the vehicle. The pursuit went through several cities before Hamilton reached his neighborhood, left both his children and vehicle behind, and escaped on foot into nearby woods while carrying a backpack. He was apprehended shortly after. A stolen Springfield XD .45 caliber pistol was found in the backpack.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Keown, Sr., prosecuted the case.
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