The Tuscaloosa Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked together on an investigation that let to seven arrests on federal gun charges.

According to a Friday release from TPD, three of the seven arrests involved defendants who participated in straw purchases -- the illegal purchase of a firearm by one person who is buying the weapon for another person, especially someone not legally allowed to buy a firearm themselves.

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Brothers Deon Detrail Hamler and Devon Demarcus Hamler were charged with conspiracy to illegally obtain a firearm. Additionally, Deon Hamler, 33, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and 24-year-old Devon Hamler was charged with making fictitious statements during the purchase of a handgun.

An investigation determined Devon Hamler purchased a handgun for Deon Hamler at a Tuscaloosa gun store on April 20, unlawfully stating he was purchasing the gun for his own use. Deon Hamler, a convicted felon, was barred from purchasing or possessing a firearm.

25-year-old Christopher Desean Briggins Brazzell is accused of making false statements while acquiring a firearm after investigators determined he purchased an assault-styled rifle for a convicted felon in January.

24-year-old Devante Stephens was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after officers with TPD responded to the DCH parking lot on March 21 on reports of a man pulling on car doors. Stephens led police on a pursuit that ended in the back yard of a residence on 17th Street, where officers found a weapon in his vehicle.

38-year-old Darryl Lee Chandler was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop on January 12 where officers located a pistol in his possession.

50-year-old Derris Devon Sledge was charged with begin felon in possession of a firearm after agents with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force located a semi-automatic weapon and ammunition while executing a search warrant at his residence on January 8.

40-year-old Christopher Demondre Callaway was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm during a January 8 arrest after breaking into a woman's home, threatening her with a gun and running from police when were called to the scene by neighbors.

The cases were presented to a federal grand jury that returned indictments, and warrants have been served on each of the seven defendants.

The release stated the multi-agency investigations are part of TPD and the ATF’s ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime and gun violence in our community. 

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