A shocking scene unfolded in rural Alabama when Byron Jamar Esco, 30, of Prattville, senselessly shot and killed a pregnant cow.
On November 29, 2017, Esco was driving his vehicle along country roads near Hope Hull, Alabama, when he pointed his 9 millimeter handgun at the cow and fired, killing the pregnant animal. The cow’s owner had reported the shooting and provided details of Esco’s getaway vehicle to law enforcement authorities.
Early the following morning, a sheriff’s deputy found Esco driving the car and recovered the handgun used in the shooting. Esco, who had been recently released from state prison, was a felon and could not lawfully possess the firearm.
As a result, Esco was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and later pleaded guilty to the crime. At the sentencing hearing, Esco received an enhancement for possessing the firearm in furtherance of another felony offense, specifically killing cattle livestock, in violation of Alabama law.
Byron Jamar Esco received a sentence of 57 months in prison for the crime.
United States Attorney Louis V. Franklin, Sr., stated, ‘We often assume that gun violence is a problem that exists only on city streets. Sadly, even a rural area can be the scene of needless violence, as this case demonstrates.’
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and was a part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross prosecuted the case.
Byron Jamar Esco, Defendant, was previously convicted of felony offenses and could not lawfully possess the firearm. The exact criminal charges against him were being a felon in possession of a firearm. The city and state where the crime occurred were Hope Hull, Alabama. The exact date of the crime was November 29, 2017.
Byron Jamar Esco’s sentence was 57 months in prison. There were no specific dollar amounts mentioned in the case.
Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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