MOBILE, AL – A Virginia man was sentenced today to three years and a month in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Michael Gray Golding, 34, was arrested by Foley Police Department (FPD) officers on May 5, 2021. On that day, FDP responded to a 911 call reporting that Golding was at a hotel in Foley, Alabama with an active arrest warrant out of Virginia and likely armed. FPD encountered Golding in his vehicle in the hotel parking lot. FPD verified that Golding had an extraditable warrant for his arrest out of Virginia for contempt of court in a felony case where he failed to appear for sentencing. FPD secured the area where Golding was parked and ordered Golding to exit the vehicle. After approximately one hour of ordering Golding to exit the vehicle, Golding got out and was taken into custody without incident.
FPD officers searched Golding’s vehicle and found a Glock, Model 23, .40-caliber pistol, a sawed-off Remington Model 870 shotgun, and ammunition. Brass knuckles, drug paraphernalia, and drugs for personal use were also found in the vehicle.
Prior to possessing these two guns, Golding had been convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a controlled substance, eluding law enforcement, and possession of a drug with intent to distribute. Golding failed to appear for his sentencing for his possession with intent to distribute case in Virginia, which led to his active arrest warrant. Under federal law, Golding is prohibiting from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his felony convictions.
Senior United States District Court Judge William H. Steele ordered Golding to serve a three-year term of supervised release upon his release from prison, during which time he may participate in substance abuse treatment. The court did not impose a fine, but Judge Steele ordered Golding to pay $100 in special assessments.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Foley Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Kopf prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.