Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Gun Possession

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A convicted felon pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson.

Devon Rashard Boatman, 34, of Hoover, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records, on April 21, 2023, Birmingham Police officers responded to a domestic violence dispute between Boatman and a victim at the victim's home. Boatman became angry and began to tussle with the victim. Boatman broke two of the victim's televisions and slashed one of the tires on her vehicle before leaving the victim's home on foot. Officers located Boatman a short time later. Boatman was walking when officers located him, but he immediately ran from the officers once he saw them. Officers chased Boatman and saw him throw a Glock 9mm pistol on the ground before they apprehended him. Officers recovered three firearms that Boatman was concealing on his body: a Taurus 9mm pistol, a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol, and a Taurus G3c 9mm pistol. Officers also recovered a fourth firearm, which was the Glock 9mm pistol that Boatman threw on the ground while fleeing from officers. Two of the four firearms had been reported stolen. The Glock 9mm pistol had been stolen in Jefferson County, Alabama, and the Taurus G3c 9mm pistol had been stolen in Birmingham, Alabama.

The maximum penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison.

ATF investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittney Plyler is prosecuting the case.