A Jefferson County man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to prison for soliciting the murder of federal prosecutor in Birmingham.

A judge on Friday sentenced Michael Roman Black, 32, to 35 years in prison for planning the shooting of a federal prosecutor, and 17 years for drug and gun charges previously filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama, according to Middle District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson.

Black, who was from the Bessemer area, was convicted last year.

Middle District prosecutors tried the case since the threat was against a prosecutor in Birmingham, which is in the Northern District.

Black was previously convicted in state court on a reduced charge of manslaughter in the 2011 shooting death of an 18-year-old in Bessemer. Black was also 18 at the time.

According to court records in the federal case, Black was jailed in Hoover in February 2023 after federal charges were brought against him by the Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Black was being held on drug and gun charges.

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.

“Michael Black’s plot to target a federal prosecutor was not only an attempt to evade accountability for his crimes, but it was also a brazen act of vengeance,” Davidson said.

“Such conduct strikes at the heart of our judicial system and must be met with severe consequences. I commend the investigators and prosecutors whose swift actions protected a life and ensured justice was served.”

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.

“The attempt to orchestrate violence against a federal prosecutor is a grave assault on public safety and the principles of justice we rely upon,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer.

“The DEA remains unwavering in its commitment to stand alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office to safeguard those who dedicate themselves to upholding the rule of law.”

The DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, Hoover police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated.

Criminal Division Chief John J. Geer, III from the Middle District of Alabama prosecuted.

“After a thorough investigation, Michael Black is being held accountable for plotting to assassinate a federal prosecutor,” said Christopher DiMenna, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge, Birmingham Field Office.

“Today’s sentence makes clear that those actions will not be tolerated.”