BIRMINGHAM — Special Agent in Charge James Cavanaugh of the Nashville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Alice Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and Special Agent in Charge Carmen Adams of the FBI Birmingham Field Division announced today that Dedrick Lamon Griham, 36 of Birmingham, Alabama was sentenced to life in prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 922(g)(1). Griham has been convicted of multiple felonies. He was previously convicted on three counts of Robbery in 3rd degree in 1998 and sentenced to 20 years by the Circuit Court of Mobile Alabama. Under federal law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Griham was sentenced to 181 months in prison for violating Title 18 of the U.S. Code, Section 2119, to wit carjacking. Griham was also sentenced to 84 months in prison for violating Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 924 (c)- possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. This sentence will run consecutive to the other charges. There is no parole in the federal prison system. Griham was previously convicted by a federal jury trial in November 2006 for all the aforementioned charges.

“Griham has finally met his match,” stated Cavanaugh. “His long history of crime is highlighted by a life sentence. This case exemplifies quick, solid and dedicated investigative work by police and agents who may have prevented death and additional violence.”

According to case background, in May 2006 Sandra Gregory was kidnapped by Griham from a parking lot in Birmingham, Ala. Griham forced Ms. Gregory into her vehicle at gunpoint. Area law enforcement was informed of the kidnapping and formed a task force to investigate the crime. Law enforcement obtained information that Griham and Ms. Gregory were located at a local hotel. Griham was apprehended without incident by police and Ms. Gregory was rescued from the room where she was found bound and gagged. Two handguns possessed by Griham were recovered as evidence from the scene.

The case is the result of the combined efforts of ATF, the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

  Contact: Special Agent/ PIO Eric Kehn
  (615) 565-1252
  www.atf.gov

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives