BIRMINGHAM, ALA. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A convicted felon has been sentenced for illegal possession of multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr.
U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Timothy Shane Postell, 40, of Bessemer, Alabama, to 130 months in prison. Postell pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in two separate and unrelated cases.
According to the plea agreements, Postell illegally possessed firearms on two separate occasions.
On April 16, 2022, an officer with the Leeds Police Department responded to a call at a retail store in Leeds. The officer arrived on the scene and found a female and Postell on a couch, and both appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. They were arrested for public intoxication. The officer searched Postell and recovered a stolen pair of tennis shoes, narcotics, and a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol.
On February 7, 2026, an officer with the Hueytown Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Postell. As the officer approached the vehicle, Postell fled the scene recklessly—speeding and passing vehicles with oncoming traffic and in no-passing zones. The pursuit continued until Postell stopped at the end of a dirt road. Postell exited the vehicle and ran. An officer deployed his taser with no effect but eventually got close enough to tackle Postell and handcuff him. The officer searched Postell and recovered a loaded Canik 9mm pistol from one of Postell’s inside jacket pockets and a loaded Glock 10mm pistol from the other inside jacket pocket. During a search of Postell’s vehicle, officers recovered a loaded Marlin .22 rifle, body armor plates, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
“Keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons is critical in protecting our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “This defendant repeatedly demonstrated disregard for the law. This 130-month sentence sends a clear message that illegal firearm possession by repeat offenders will have serious consequences. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for their dedication and continued efforts to keep our communities safe.”
“ATF prioritizes public safety and is committed to bringing individuals who unlawfully possess firearms to justice” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet. “Mr. Postell, a four-time convicted felon, showed a pattern of criminal behavior in this case, illegally possessing firearms in multiple incidents. ATF will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement partners to make our communities safe by pursuing, apprehending, and prosecuting such individuals who demonstrate a propensity for lawlessness and recklessness.”
Postell is prohibited from possessing firearms because of his four prior felony convictions that span from 2007 to 2021. Postell was convicted in the Superior Court of Paulding County, Georgia in February 2007, of Robbery by Intimidation, Theft by Taking, and Aggravated Assault and in September 2013, of Possession of Cocaine; in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama in May 2014 for Robbery, Second Degree; and in the District Court of Shelby County, Alabama in February 2021, of Burglary, Third Degree.
The ATF investigated the case along with the Leeds Police Department and Hueytown Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Darius C. Greene prosecuted the case.
