Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge has sentenced a Birmingham man for possessing a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Frederick Leonard Temple, Jr., also known as “Cutt” and “Cutthroat,” 35, to 432 months in prison. In February, Temple was convicted by a jury of 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.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Temple distributed fentanyl on two separate 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 the search, officers found drugs and firearms in a rear bedroom where an infant was located. The search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms, including a Glock 9 mm pistol equipped with a machine gun-conversion device commonly referred to as a “Glock switch,” several high-capacity firearm magazines, including 100- and 50-round drum magazines, and a large amount of various ammunition, as well as fentanyl, methamphetamine, six digital scales of various sizes, and other drug paraphernalia.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Alan Kirk prosecuted the case.