Feds Announce Dozens of Violent Crime and Illegal Weapons Charges
Federal and local law enforcement announced indictments Monday for 71 people accused of violent crime and illegal weapons possession in Birmingham and north Alabama. Some of those arrested also had drug charges.
The indictments and arrests are part of ramped up efforts to get illegal guns off the streets through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. That program pours extra money into crime fighting and helps law enforcement agencies collaborate to identify and arrest violent felons.
Over the past two months, authorities in north Alabama confiscated 140 weapons during arrests, including several handguns capable of firing rifle rounds. David Hyche, assistant special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, says bullets from those weapons can go through multiple protective vests.
“If my people learn of an individual who is purchasing multiple, rifle-round-firing handguns, and they are associated with a criminal group, we share that intelligence,” Hyche says. “We don’t want to hold on to a piece of intelligence that can save an officer’s life.”
Most of the 71 people indicted had multiple prior arrests, Hyche says.
It’s been a revolving door for some felons, but U.S. Attorney Jay Town says when federal charges stick, people are in prison longer because they serve about 85 percent of their sentences.
Interim Birmingham Police Chief Henry Irby says he’s pleased with what these indictments mean for city residents.
“They don’t deserve to have to hide in their bathtubs when gunfire is ringing out,” Irby says. “They do not deserve to see violence in their neighborhoods day after day.”
Town says this operation is not a one-time event, and there will be more indictments in the future focused on reducing violent crime.
NASA rolls out Artemis II craft ahead of crewed lunar orbit
Mission Artemis plans to send Americans to the moon for the first time since the Nixon administration.
Trump says 8 EU countries to be charged 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
In a post on social media, Trump said a 10% tariff will take effect on Feb. 1, and will climb to 25% on June 1 if a deal is not in place for the United States to purchase Greenland.
‘Not for sale’: massive protest in Copenhagen against Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland
Thousands of people rallied in Copenhagen to push back on President Trump's rhetoric that the U.S. should acquire Greenland.
Uganda’s longtime leader declared winner in disputed vote
Museveni claims victory in Uganda's contested election as opposition leader Bobi Wine goes into hiding amid chaos, violence and accusations of fraud.
Opinion: Remembering Ai, a remarkably intelligent chimpanzee
We remember Ai, a highly intelligent chimpanzee who lived at the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University for most of her life, except the time she escaped and walked around campus.
The near death — and last-minute reprieve — of a trial for an HIV vaccine
A trial was about to launch for a vaccine that would ward off the HIV virus. It would be an incredible breakthrough. Then it looked as if it would be over before it started.
