Clayton County, Georgia Man Receives 96 Month Sentence for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person (Felon)

United States Attorney Richard W. Moore of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that Matthew Joshua Green of Clayton County, Georgia was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person before Judge William H. Steele. Green had prior felony convictions which include aggravated battery, vehicular homicide, receiving stolen property, felony willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence and possession of cocaine prior to possess of a firearm.

According to court documents, on April 18, 2018, a Baldwin County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop along Interstate 10 on Green for failing to maintain his lane of travel.  Green was on his cell phone and not following the deputy’s request to hang up and step out of the car. The deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the car and witnessed loose marijuana in the car.  Because of Green’s behavior, the deputy attempted to conduct a pat down on Green for safety reasons.  While attempting to place handcuffs on Green, he began resisting arrest and tried to push the deputy into oncoming traffic. Due to Green’s behavior and what was witnessed by the deputy, a probable cause search was conducted of the vehicle wherein digital scales and marijuana were found in the car along with a loaded firearm. 

Due to Green’s attempts to resist arrest and push the deputy into interstate traffic, the Court applied a sentencing enhancement for reckless endangerment during flight.

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with deputies of the Baldwin County, Alabama Sheriff’s office investigated the case and brought it to the U. S. Attorney=s Office for prosecution.  The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Anderson.