US Attorney

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
December 14, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md

BALTIMORE MAN EXILED TO 24 YEARS IN PRISON FOR POSSESSING A GUN

Shot at a Police Officer

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Antonio Holton, age 31, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 24 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a gun. Judge Bennett enhanced Holton’s sentence upon finding that he is an armed career criminal, based on three previous convictions for drug offenses and a robbery.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III.

According to testimony presented at the four day trial, on April 9, 2008 Baltimore Police officers heard a gunshot coming from Poplar Grove Street. They drove in that direction and saw Holton running. One of the officers got out of the vehicle and pursued Holton on foot. The other officer drove to a nearby alley, blocking it with his car. Holton turned around, ran back toward the other officer and fired his gun at the officer. The first shot missed and Holton’s gun then jammed, preventing him from firing again. The officer promptly returned fire, striking Holton. Holton fell to the ground, dropping his .45 caliber pistol. Holton was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.

Holton was previously convicted of a felony and thus prohibited from possessing a gun.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the ATF, the Baltimore Police Department and the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Special Assistant United States Attorney Traci L. Robinson, a cross-designated Baltimore City Assistant State’s Attorney assigned to Exile cases, and Assistant United States Attorney Thiru Vignarajah, who prosecuted the case.