Inmate convicted of inciting murder of Alabama federal prosecutor in prison

By Carol Robinson
www.al.com

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A Jefferson County man with a long criminal past has been convicted of soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor in Birmingham.

A federal jury found 32-year-old Michael Roman Black guilty on Thursday of threatening to murder and soliciting the murder of a federal prosecutor and making false statements to a federal agent, acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Kevin P. Davidson announced on Friday.

Middle District prosecutors tried the case because the threat was directed at a prosecutor in Birmingham.

Black, who had addresses in Bessemer and Hueytown, was previously convicted in state court of manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old in Bessemer in 2011. He was also 18 at the time.

According to court records in the federal case, Black was detained at Hoover in February 2023 after the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama, based in Birmingham, filed charges against him.

Black was arrested on drug and weapons charges.

The Metropolitan Detention Center will use the funds to vacate and fill 21 full-time correctional officer positions.

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“There is no longer any deterrent to bad behavior in our prison system, and nowhere is that more evident than in unprovoked attacks like this,” the union president said.

September 14, 2024, 06:00

While in custody, authorities said, Black told another inmate of his plan to have two associates “outside” murder one of the federal prosecutors working on his case.

Black gave specific details about who he wanted to contact and that he wanted them to shoot the prosecutor in her car.

Law enforcement authorities learned of this threat and, after confirming its legitimacy and seriousness, developed an operation to successfully thwart the assassination plot.

When questioned by federal agents, Black made false statements to cover up his plan.

On March 28, 2023, a grand jury in federal court in Birmingham indicted Black on charges of threatening to kill a federal officer, solicitation of murder, and making false statements to a federal agent.

“Making threats against a prosecutor or law enforcement officer is a serious offense and a direct attack on our justice system,” 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 who was simply seeking justice for the people of the United States.”

Black faces up to ten years in prison for threatening to kill a federal officer, up to twenty years for solicitation of murder and up to five years for making false statements to a federal agent.

His sentencing is scheduled for December 12.

The DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, Hoover Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies investigated the case.

The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Geer III of the Middle District of Alabama.

Black was charged with murder in 2011 Death of 18-year-old Luman Jones by shooting. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2014 and was sentenced to ten years in prison.

It was not immediately clear how many years he actually spent in prison.

Black, who has also been convicted of burglary and drug possession, will also face charges in state court.

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