By Carol Robinson
al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A Jefferson County man with a lengthy criminal history has been convicted of soliciting the murder of federal prosecutor in Birmingham.
The federal jury on Thursday found Michael Roman Black, 32, guilty of threatening to murder and soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor, and for making false statements to a federal agent, according to a Friday announced by Acting Middle District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Kevin P. Davidson.
Middle District prosecutors tried the case since the threat was against a prosecutor in Birmingham.
Black, who has had addresses in Bessemer and Hueytown, was previously convicted in state court on a reduced charge of manslaughter in the 2011 shooting death of an 18-year-old in Bessemer. He was also 18 at the time.
According to court records in the federal case, Black in February 2023, was jailed in Hoover after federal charges were brought against him by the Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney’s Office, which is in Birmingham.
Black was being held on drug and gun charges.
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“There is no deterrent anymore for bad behavior in our prison system and it cannot be any more evident than in unprovoked attacks like this,” the union’s president said
While in custody, authorities said, Black told another inmate about his plan to have one of the federal prosecutors working on his case murdered by two associates “on the outside.”
Black shared specific details of who he planned to contact and that he would have them shoot the prosecutor while she was in her car.
Law enforcement learned of this threat and, after confirming its legitimacy and seriousness, developed an operation to successfully thwart the murder plot.
When questioned by federal agents, Black made false statements in an attempt to cover up his plan.
On March 28, 2023, a federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted Black for making a threat to murder a federal official, solicitation to commit murder, and making false statements to a federal agent.
“A threat against a prosecutor or law enforcement professional is a serious offense and a direct attack against our system of justice,” Davidson said. “I am grateful for the diligent work of law enforcement in identifying and thwarting this plot to take the life of a public servant simply seeking justice for the people of the United States.”
Black faces a sentence of up to 10 years for threatening to murder a federal official, up to 20 years for soliciting a murder, and up to five years for making a false statement to a federal agent.
His sentencing is set for Dec. 12.
The DEA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the ATF, Hoover police and Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Geer, III from the Middle District of Alabama is prosecuting.
Black in 2011 was charged with murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Luman Jones. He pleaded guilty in 2014 to the reduced charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
It was not immediately clear how many years he actually served.
Black, who also has previous convictions for burglary and drug possession, is still facing charges in state court as well.
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