From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a Columbiana man for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
The jury returned its guilty verdict against Joshua Lee Jones, 36, of Columbiana, after two days of testimony. According to authorities, Jones was prohibited from owning a firearm because he had prior Illinois state court convictions for second-degree murder, unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
“Prosecuting felons with guns is a priority of my office,” Escalona said. “Felons who possess firearms pose a threat to the safety and security of our community. Citizens of the Northern District of Alabama deserve to feel safe in their communities.”
“Removing the criminal element that uses a firearm to facilitate violent crimes is a priority of ATF. ATF’s crime gun intelligence partnerships leveraging NIBIN technology will have a lasting impact within this community.”
The maximum punishment for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years in prison.
