Yellowhammer Times

A Birmingham man has been sentenced to 36 years in prison for possessing a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and drug trafficking. U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona announced the sentencing.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Frederick Leonard Temple, Jr., also known as "Cutt" and "Cutthroat," to 432 months in prison. In February, Temple was convicted by a jury on charges including possession of a machine gun, 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."

ATF Special Acting Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz commented on the sentencing: "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."

Evidence presented at trial showed that Temple distributed fentanyl on two 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. Officers found drugs and firearms in a rear bedroom where an infant was located. The search resulted in the seizure of 14 firearms, including a Glock 9 mm pistol equipped with a machine gun-conversion device known as a "Glock switch," several high-capacity firearm magazines, various ammunition types, fentanyl, methamphetamine, six digital scales of different 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.