Brandon Demetrius Pettaway has been sentenced to 110 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer on July 25, 2025.
According to court documents, the Mobile Police Department Homicide Unit issued an all-points bulletin for Pettaway on November 22, 2023. He was wanted for questioning related to a recent homicide and had three active arrest warrants. On the same day, a member of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force confirmed Pettaway’s presence at a Hardee’s restaurant on Highway 90 in Theodore.
Mobile Police officers responded to apprehend him. As Pettaway left the restaurant and entered his vehicle, police surrounded him with marked vehicles. Instead of surrendering, he drove forward and struck one of the police vehicles head-on. After failing to escape by reversing and colliding with another police car, officers boxed in his vehicle. Pettaway then fled on foot.
An officer pursued Pettaway, issuing repeated commands for him to stop and get on the ground. When Pettaway did not comply, the officer used a Taser twice; one probe made contact but did not stop him. Pettaway attempted to climb over a barbed wire fence before being caught by an officer who grabbed his legs. He resisted arrest until additional officers arrived and were able to detain him after removing him from the fence.
A search of Pettaway’s vehicle uncovered a Glock Model 20 handgun with a magazine extender, as well as small quantities of marijuana, crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and two digital scales.
Pettaway had prior felony convictions: Felon in Possession of a Firearm (2018), Burglary Third Degree (2011), and Robbery First Degree (2011), all in Alabama courts.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Mobile Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney George F. May prosecuted it.
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