Birmingham Man Indicted in Tuscaloosa Gun Store Heist

BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury has delivered a tough blow to Tuscaloosa’s criminal underworld by indicting 23-year-old Martaves Labron Brown, known as ‘Moo Moo,’ for the July 2016 burglary of the Guns & Ammo store in Tuscaloosa. The alleged heist netted over 40 stolen firearms and has Acting U.S. Attorney Robert O. Posey and ATF Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido calling it a serious threat to public safety.

Brown is charged with one count of stealing firearms from a licensed dealer and another for possessing the stolen weaponry. The seized guns included an array of .380, 9mm, and .22-caliber pistols and rifles, as well as shotguns and other firearms. Brown’s arrest comes after an ATF investigation that spanned several months.

In a separate development, two other men face their own charges. Jarvis Montrez Key, 24, is accused of being a convicted felon in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol and Sig Sauer .380-caliber rifle, while Jeffery Cunningham, 47, has been indicted for possessing an electrically initiated explosive detonator.

The severity of the charges against Brown and his co-defendants cannot be overstated. Stealing a firearm from a licensed dealer and possessing a stolen firearm carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Being a convicted felon in possession of firearms or explosives also carries the same harsh consequences.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is handling the prosecution of these cases. As always, an indictment contains only charges, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case serves as a stark reminder that crime does not pay in the eyes of the law. The grim details of this heist will likely fuel further discussion on the need for stricter gun control measures and effective ATF operations.

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