YOUNGSTOWN MAN GETS 27 ½ YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Amos Attempted to Kill a Federal Agent

       William J. Edwards, Acting U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Christopher P. Sadowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division, today announced that William “Jack” Amos, 23, of Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced to 27 ½ years in federal prison for the crimes of attempting to kill a federal agent, assault on a federal agent, using a firearm in a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of  a firearm. Amos is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a 2004 Burglary conviction.

       Amos was convicted in May, 2008, following a three day jury trial in United States District Court in Cleveland. The evidence presented during the trial established that on July 17, 2007, Amos was armed with a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol during an undercover drug transaction in Youngstown, Ohio. Amos brandished the pistol, opened fire and shot an agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) during the undercover drug transaction. After shooting the agent, Amos fled the scene. Nearly 100 local, state and federal law enforcement officers conducted a manhunt in Youngstown and the surrounding area searching for Amos throughout the night. Amos ultimately surrendered to law enforcement by turning himself in the early morning hours of July 18, 2007. The investigation included the Youngstown Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

#####