Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

MOBILE, AL - A Memphis man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents, on October 29, 2023, a Loxley Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a white sedan for improper lane change. Marshall Bratcher, 40, was identified as the driver. Other passengers included an adult female and three juveniles. Bratcher admitted he possessed marijuana, leading to a search of the vehicle. During the search, a stolen Ruger, Model P89 pistol was recovered under the driver's seat. Police learned that Bratcher used the firearm to kidnap the female passenger, forced her to gather the juvenile passengers into the vehicle, and ultimately leave with him. Witness accounts revealed Bratcher drove erratically with the firearm in his lap until he was stopped by law enforcement.

Bratcher is an Armed Career Criminal due to prior violent felony and serious drug offense convictions. Bratcher's prior felony convictions include three separate convictions for Aggravated Assault, and convictions of Aggravated Burglary and Conspiracy to Violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, among other felony convictions. As a convicted felon, Bratcher is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Bratcher was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and pleaded guilty to the charge. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Bratcher to 180 months in prison to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release for illegally possessing the firearm.

U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.

The Loxley Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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.