Amos sentenced in shooting of federal agent

Nearly 100 local, state and federal law-enforcement officers conducted a manhunt in Youngstown.

STAFF REPORT

COLUMBUS — William “Jack” Amos, 23, of Youngstown, was sentenced to 27 Ω years in federal prison for attempting to kill a federal agent, assault on a federal agent, using a firearm in a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing was announced Tuesday by William J. Edwards, Acting U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Ohio and Special Agent in Charge Christopher P. Sadowski, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Columbus Field Division.

Amos was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a 2004 burglary conviction.

Amos was convicted in May 2008, after a three-day jury trial in United States District Court in Cleveland. The evidence presented during the trial established that on July 17, 2007, Amos was armed with a Smith and Wesson .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol during an undercover drug transaction in Youngstown.

Amos brandished the pistol, opened fire and shot an agent of the ATF during the undercover drug transaction. After shooting the agent, Amos fled.

Nearly 100 local, state and federal law-enforcement officers conducted a manhunt in Youngstown and the surrounding area searching for Amos throughout the night. Amos ultimately surrendered to law enforcement by turning himself in during the early morning hours of July 18, 2007. The investigation included the Youngstown Police Department and the ATF.

“Amos forfeited his freedom and his youth when he pulled the trigger and attempted to murder a federal agent. ATF agents and law-enforcement officers place themselves in harm’s way each day to protect the public from such violence. I commend the agents and officers for their tenacity and courage,” Sadowski said. “ATF extends our thanks to the multitude of police agencies that responded immediately providing personnel and resources after an ATF agent was assaulted.