Man With Long History Of Violence Against Women Sentenced To 78 Months For Illegally Possessing A Gun

Press Release

Case Reflects Ongoing Commitment to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence

<_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="GRAND RAPIDS" datavalue="GRAND RAPIDS"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="KALAMAZOO" datavalue="KALAMAZOO"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="MARQUETTE" datavalue="MARQUETTE"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="LANSING" datavalue="LANSING"> GRAND RAPIDS - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Stephen Duane Woods, Jr., age 40, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The U.S. Attorney's Office prosecuted Stephen Woods federally in part because Woods has an extensive history of domestic violence, including his abusive actions in this case.

"Woods's criminal record shows a pattern of violence against women and blatant disregard for the law," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "For a victim of domestic violence, an abuser's access to a firearm can mean the difference between life and death. We will continue to protect survivors by prosecuting abusers who have no right to touch a gun."

In September 2023, Woods grabbed his girlfriend by the hair, beat her to the ground, and pressed a loaded pistol to her chest. When she stood up, he slapped her in the head. When police came, he ran and hid the pistol in a car. A lone officer located Woods and began to arrest him, but he resisted and yelled in her face, relenting only when backup arrived.

Woods has an extensive criminal history, which includes dozens of convictions. This history betrays a pattern of violence against women, including a 2004 conviction for grabbing and holding a woman while his friend beat her, and a 2005 conviction for shoving a woman against a wall and punching her in the mouth.

Woods also has an established pattern of fighting and resisting police. In 2005, after a traffic stop, Woods bit and kicked officers. In 2010, he elbowed an officer's face and bit his bicep, leaving a full bite mark. And in multiple cases, Woods fled crime scenes and led police on dangerous chases.

"The Kent County Sheriff's Office is committed to continuing the fight against the exploitation of children through our federal partnerships," said Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. "Furthermore, this investigation prompts a reminder to our communities to have courageous conversations with your children about the dangers social media presents."

"Stephen Woods's is a habitual domestic abuser. Every person deserves to live in peace without the threat of gun and or domestic violence," said Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir. "Mr. Woods will have a significant amount free time to reflect on his consistent pattern of abusive relationships with women, and perhaps arrive at a place where he values them. Our community and his family are safer today with Woods in prison."

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Across the nation and in Michigan domestic violence is a serious threat. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Moreover, studies have shown that domestic violence perpetrators often use firearms to abuse and control their victims, who are five times as likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan has brought other cases to address the threat of domestic violence, which include the following:

• 10/29/24 - Muskegon Heights Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing Gun as A Felon
• 8/8/24 - Norton Shores Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking
• 7/18/24 - Two Lansing Men Sentenced on Gun Charges After Threatening Episode with an Assault Rifle at a Convenience Store
• 7/2/24 - Firearms Offender, Prosecuted Under Safe Summer Program, Sentenced to 64 Months
• 3/13/24 - Lansing Man Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession
• 12/6/23 - Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm Linked to a Homicide
• 9/13/23 - Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm
• 6/5/23 - Muskegon Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Stalking his Ex-Wife and Possessing Firearms

In addition, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan recently announced a special partnership with the City of Lansing to address domestic violence in that city as part of a nationwide program.

Victims of domestic violence who feel they are in imminent danger or fear a threat of harm should call 911. The following national hotlines are also available to help victims:

• Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 (or text START to 88788)
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Castle prosecuted it.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psn.

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Updated November 6, 2024