Birmingham Man Gets 5-Year Sentence On Firearms Charges

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A Birmingham man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lionel Caffey, 27, pleaded guilty to the charge in December.

Court records say on April 28, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force went to a Birmingham hotel to arrest Caffey on an outstanding state warrant for attempted murder.

According to testimony at Caffey's sentencing, Task Force officers encountered Caffey after he walked out of his third-floor hotel room. Caffey fought with officers and reached for his waistband during the struggle.

One officer felt a pistol in Caffey’s waistband and alerted the other officers, according to testimony. Caffey broke free from the officers and kicked in the door of another third-floor hotel room. He then attempted to jump out of a closed window at the back of that room, but the window did not break.

At that point, officers were able to gain control of him. Even after being cuffed, Caffey continued to reach for his waistband, police said. The pistol was found on the floor in the room where he was handcuffed.

"Convicted felons who possess firearms are among those who are most likely to commit a violent crime," U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona said. "Prosecuting the drivers of violence in our communities is a top priority of my office."