Sylvester Horn, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, AL 2017

Sylvester Horn, 46, of Mobile, is headed back behind bars after being caught with a firearm while under federal supervision — a violation of federal law and the terms of his release. Horn pleaded guilty in November 2017 to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a crime that carries stiff penalties when committed by someone with his criminal history.

At the time the gun was seized, Horn was two years into a five-year term of supervised release following a 2009 federal conviction for attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. That earlier conviction landed him 96 months in federal prison. Upon release, he was placed under the watch of the U.S. Probation Office in Mobile — eyes that didn’t miss his latest offense.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which moved in after learning Horn, a convicted drug felon, was armed. Horn not only broke the law by possessing the weapon, but also violated the conditions of his supervised release — a decision that triggered both new charges and the revocation of his parole status.

U.S. District Court Judge Kristi Dubose handed down a 24-month prison sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The judge ordered the sentences for the new charge and the supervision violation to run concurrently. Horn will receive court-mandated treatment for drug abuse and mental health counseling — both during incarceration and as part of his reentry into society.

No fine was imposed, but Horn was ordered to pay the $100 special mandatory assessment required in federal convictions. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell, who argued for accountability given Horn’s repeated brushes with the law.

The Southern District of Alabama, led by U.S. Attorney Richard Moore, continues to prioritize illegal firearm possession by convicted felons. Horn’s case underscores the federal government’s zero-tolerance stance: commit another crime under supervision, and you’re going back — fast.