Kenneth Copeland, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Georgia 2018

A 27-year-old Atlanta man has been sentenced to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Kenneth Copeland was sentenced to five years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for bringing an assault rifle into the Dunbar Recreational Center Gymnasium on April 28, 2015.

Copeland, who has been convicted of multiple felonies prior to the incident, was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Copeland came to the gymnasium with a loaded assault rifle in a shopping bag and left it on the bleachers while he went to play basketball.

A concerned citizen called 911 to alert law enforcement that the assault rifle was inside the gymnasium, and Atlanta Police Department officers arrived to detain Copeland and secure the loaded rifle.

Copeland pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm on July 25, 2018, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg on October 22, 2018.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Atlanta Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine I. Terry and Kim Dammers prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Fulton County District Attorney's office and the Cobb County District Attorney's Office.

Defendant:

Kenneth Copeland

Criminal Charges:

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

City and State:

Atlanta, Georgia

Exact Date:

April 28, 2015 (crime date), October 22, 2018 (sentencing)

Sentence:

Five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/felon-sentenced-federal-prison-gun-possession