Atlanta, GA - RENARD SHEALEY, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jack T. Camp on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

        United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This case illustrates a unfortunate problem faced by law enforcement and law abiding citizens - the incorrigibility of some armed convicted felons and their utter lack of respect for the criminal justice system.  Five months after Shealey was released on state bond for being a felon in possession of a firearm, he drove to court in a stolen car while in possession of yet another firearm. He will now serve a significant federal sentence.”

        “This is a prime example of the types of cases ATF is working in an effort to prevent and reduce gun-related violence in Atlanta,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Pearce of ATF's Atlanta Field Division. “This defendant’s life of crime had begun to roll faster than the wheels of justice. Ultimately, it was this felon's affinity for guns that proved to be his Achilles’ heel.”

         SHEALEY was sentenced to 5 years, 5 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. SHEALEY was convicted of these charges on May 13, 2008.

        According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court:  On January 18, 2007, Atlanta Police officers observed SHEALEY driving a vehicle linked with a fugitive wanted for murder.  SHEALEY entered a store near the intersection of Hank Aaron Drive and Ormond Avenue with officers following behind him.  Police officers observed him place a dark object into a cooler. When officers searched the cooler, they recovered a loaded 9mm Glock pistol.  SHEALEY was arrested, charged in state court with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and released on bond.  Subsequently, on June 26, 2007, while SHEALEY was out on bond, APD officers observed him driving a stolen vehicle with a passenger who was an 8 year old girl.  When the officers chased him, SHEALEY crashed the stolen vehicle into two light poles and then fled on foot, abandoning the 8 year old girl.  APD officers captured SHEALEY and recovered a loaded 9mm Ruger pistol from the vehicle.  After his arrest SHEALEY remarked, “I would have stopped, but I didn't have time to toss the gun.”

        This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with invaluable assistance from the Atlanta Police Department.

        Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Plummer prosecuted the case.

          For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.