From The Tribune staff reports
TUSCALOOSA – A federal judge sentenced a Demopolis man Wednesday, Feb. 22, for illegally possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.
According to court documents, on Oct. 13, 2020, the assistant police chief of the Eutaw Police Department was at the One Stop Gas Station in Eutaw. While there, he observed a fight between Armstead and another individual. The assistant chief intervened and sprayed both individuals with pepper spray. Armstead succumbed to the pepper spray and attempted to run but fell. In taking him into custody, the assistant chief recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from Armstead’s waistband. The pistol had been reported stolen to the Eutaw Police Department a few months prior to the incident.
“The illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon risks turning any minor dispute into a deadly confrontation,” said U. S. Attorney Escalona. “We are grateful for the actions of the Eutaw Police in this case to prevent further violence.”
The FBI investigated the case, along with the Eutaw Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty prosecuted the case.