COLUMBUS, GA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

COLUMBUS, Ga. – A convicted felon with two prior aggravated assault convictions was sentenced to federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.

Carlos Alexander aka Carlos Malone, 39, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 90 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on Tuesday, June 15, by U.S. District Judge Clay Land after pleading guilty to one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This sentence reflects the violent criminal history Carlos Alexander has racked up in Columbus. Violent felons caught illegally possessing guns in Columbus and in other cities across the Middle District of Georgia will face the possibility of federal prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are committed to decreasing violent crime in Columbus and across Middle Georgia.”

“As a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, Carlos Alexander presented a real danger to the community and to law enforcement,” said John Schmidt, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Atlanta Field Division. “Despite being prohibited from possessing a firearm, he was armed when encountered by officers. The federal prosecution of this crime demonstrates ATF’s dedication to working alongside our local, state and federal partners, in this case the Columbus Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to ensure violent individuals like Alexander are deprived of the ability to continue terrorizing our community.” 

“I am pleased with the outcome of this case. Also, I am thankful for our partnership with our federal partners. We will continue to work together to make cases on violent criminals. This type behavior will not be tolerated in Columbus, Georgia,” said Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon.

According to court records, Alexander was taken into custody by Columbus Police Department officers on October 14, 2019, at approximately 2:00 a.m., matching the description of a suspect in an attempted armed robbery in the city that same day. Alexander was wearing body armor. Inside his vehicle, officers found a black ski mask in the front passenger's seat and a semi-automatic pistol with magazine and five unspent .25 caliber cartridges in the center console. At the time of the possession of the firearm, Alexander knew he was a convicted felon and that it was illegal for him to be in possession of a firearm. He has previously been convicted of aggravated assault twice as well as attempted armed robbery and possession of a firearm in the Superior Court of Muscogee County, Georgia.

ATF and the Columbus Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams prosecuted the case.