Convicted Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Illegal Gun Possession

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced a convicted felon for illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

Chief U.S. District Court Judge R. David Proctor sentenced Peter Lewis Gupton, 41, of Birmingham, to 84 months in prison.  In March, Gupton pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to the plea agreement, on February 23, 2023, Birmingham police officers went to the scene of reported gunshots in Woodlawn. Gupton fled the scene on foot.  One of the officers found Gupton hiding behind a dumpster and detained him. Gupton led officers to a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol he had hidden behind a bush at the Christ Health Center. The pistol had been reported stolen. Officers also found a 9mm shell casing near the area of the shooting. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

The ATF investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.