Montgomery man sentenced on federal gun charge after police chase, shots fired

A Montgomery man has been sentenced on a federal gun charge following a high-speed police chase last year that included shots being fired.

Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that 38-year-old Lorenzo Anterrio Monta was sentenced to 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a gun. Upon completion of his prison term, Monta will serve three years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal court system.

According to court records, on March 21, 2024, Montgomery police officers saw a vehicle traveling near Eastdale Road and Atlanta Highway that had been reported stolen earlier that day. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver refused to pull over and led police on a high-speed pursuit.

During the chase, a passenger, later identified as Monta, leaned out of the car window and fired several shots at the pursuing police vehicle.

The pursuit ended when the driver stopped and the driver and Monta ran away. Officers quickly arrested both of them. When Monta was taken into custody, officers recovered a handgun from his pocket, court records state.

Davidson said Monta has prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition. On December 20, 2024, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“Lorenzo Monta’s actions showed a complete disregard for public safety and law enforcement,” Davidson said. “Firing a weapon during a high-speed pursuit placed countless lives at risk. The sentence imposed was the maximum allowed by statute and reflects the seriousness of the offense. Our office remains committed to holding armed, violent felons accountable and we will continue working with our local and federal partners to protect our communities from gun violence.”

— Information from the office of the U.S. Attorney, Middle District of Alabama