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A Selma man was sentenced Wednesday to 96 months in prison on charges of the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents, Marquavius Benjamin, 25, was sentenced Wednesday for possession of a Glock handgun. The information was released in a press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama.

On Oct. 4, 2024, a Selma Police Department officer responded to a call at Creekside Apartments in reference to a stolen vehicle. While speaking with the victim, the officer heard a commotion around the corner and walked towards his marked police vehicle to observe.

As the officer approached his vehicle several shots were fired close by, he observed a black male allegedly fire multiple shots with a handgun and the officer immediately called for backup.

The officer’s body camera shows the suspect approaching him unprompted as the officer calls for backup.  Benjamin walked up and the officer attempted to take him into custody. Benjamin reportedly handed over a Glock, semi-automatic pistol to the officer but resisted efforts to be taken into custody and stated, “you’d better call for backup” and walked off.

After Benjamin made another move, the officer immediately deployed his Taser, and Benjamin was taken into custody.  Upon running Benjamin’s information, the officer was informed of a previous felony conviction. The Glock in the suspect’s possession, a Glock, Model 43, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, had been reported stolen through the Selma Police Department.

A Special Agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives examined the pistol and determined that it was manufactured outside the state of Alabama and that it had been reported as stolen. The agent further determined that Benjamin had prior felony convictions in Dallas County of robbery in the first degree in 2018, felony murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle in 2024 and escape in the third degree in 2024.

“Together with our partners in law enforcement in Selma and Dallas County, we will continue our mission to bring to justice those who illegally possess guns,” said Sean P. Costello, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama. “Our communities are safer today thanks to the dedicated men and women in law enforcement helping to remove criminals from our streets.”

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Selma Police Department, and ATF investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Arrington prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.