News Summary
Michael Roman Black, a 32-year-old from Bessemer, has been sentenced to over 52 years in prison for soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor, along with multiple drug and firearm charges. His actions while incarcerated led to an investigation, resulting in serious federal charges. This sentencing underscores the dangers posed by threats against legal officials and the importance of upholding judicial integrity. Further legal proceedings are anticipated as Black faces additional state charges.
Bessemer, Alabama – Michael Roman Black, a 32-year-old resident of the Bessemer area, has been sentenced to over 52 years in prison for soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor and for various drug and gun-related charges. This sentencing was handed down by a judge on Friday and was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson.
Black received a 35-year prison sentence for his plot to murder the federal prosecutor assigned to his case in Birmingham. In addition to this, he has been sentenced to over 17 years for prior drug and firearm charges. His current legal troubles stemmed from conversations he had with another inmate while incarcerated in Hoover, Alabama, in February 2023, while facing federal charges.
During his incarceration, Black revealed his intentions to hire two associates to carry out the murder of the federal prosecutor, providing specific details about the location and method of the planned attack. Following the threat, law enforcement officials undertook a comprehensive investigation to assess the seriousness of the plot. Their findings confirmed the legitimacy of Black’s intentions.
On March 28, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Black on multiple charges, including making threats against a federal official, solicitation of murder, and providing false statements to federal authorities. Black attempted to conceal his plans during questioning by federal agents, which further led to the enhancement of his charges.
The investigation into Black’s actions involved several law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, and local police departments, highlighting the collaborative effort required to ensure public safety in the face of such threats. Davidson underscored the gravity of threats against legal officials, characterizing them as serious assaults on both the safety of the public and the integrity of the justice system.
This recent sentence is not Black’s first encounter with the law. He has a significant criminal history, including a conviction for manslaughter related to the 2011 shooting death of 18-year-old Luman Jones. Black pled guilty to that charge in 2014 and was sentenced to ten years in prison; however, the complete duration of that sentence remains unclear.
In addition to his federal convictions, Black continues to face charges within the state court system linked to his past offenses. The sentencing hearing for these federal convictions is set for December 12, 2023, indicating that further legal proceedings are still on the horizon.
This sentencing marks a pivotal moment in Black’s long criminal history, as he will now serve a substantial sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes he committed while in custody. Authorities hope that such sentences will deter similar threats against federal officials and reinforce the importance of protecting the integrity of the judicial process.
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Additional Resources
- WBRC: Bessemer man sentenced for plotting murder of federal prosecutor
- Wikipedia: Federal prosecutor
- AL.com: Alabama man sentenced for assassination plot
- Google Search: assassination of federal prosecutor
- AL.com: Man guilty in shooting death of federal prosecutor
- Google Scholar: criminal justice system
- WVTM13: Hueytown man guilty of murder plot against federal prosecutor
- Encyclopedia Britannica: criminal law
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
