NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The man being held on a $2.5 million bond for allegedly planting multiple loaded guns, tools and ammo throughout the new downtown detention center could also face federal charges.
Alex Friedmann was arrested for Vandalism last week on top of his original charges in January. Sheriff Daron Hall said Friedmann stole keys to the new jail to plot a "massive, escape plan" and dressed up as a construction worker to hide weapons throughout the building over several months. The case has delayed the opening of the new facility as the Davidson County Sheriff's Office works to replace locks and find guns that may still be hidden.
NewsChannel 5 discovered that Friedmann had his citizenship rights restored in October 2014, which included his right to vote. This came after he was sentenced to 10 years for an assualt charge and released in 1999. By the time his voting rights were restored, Friedmann had already made a name for himself as a proponent for criminal justice reform. Following his release, he wrote countless essay publications, testified for prison-reform policies and played roles in advocacy groups, which were listed in a cover letter posted on a GoFundMe page supporting Friedmann.
Despite gaining his citizenship rights back, the same order filed under the circuit court for Davidson County said Friedmann wasn't allowed the "right to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms pursuant to existing state and federal law." Friedmann acknowledged and signed the order.
"One of the things that leaps out to me is how long does it take before the feds get involved?" questioned attorney Kevin Sharp, a former federal judge.
Sharp believed it's not if but when his case will reach federal court. Sharp said he'd be surprised if the U.S. attorney wasn't pursuing a case right now to hand down federal indictments based on the information released by authorities. Although it's unclear where the guns came from, the components alone most likely are from out of state which would fall under the interstate commerce clause and create federal jurisdiction.
"You've got someone who does not have a right to possess firearms. Even if you did have the right to possess firearms, if you did the things they say you did, you're using them in a way that is unlawful," Sharp said.
If there's a federal case, the U.S. attorney could indict by presenting it to the grand jury at once or straight to the defendant.
Officials with the Metro Nashville Police Department asked the public's help to identify three potential accomplices also caught on surveillance video. They said the men were also wearing construction uniforms and seen interacting with Friedmann.
Friedmann is being held at Riverbend Maximum Security Institute and has a scheduled court appearance on Wednesday morning for a video arraignment.
A day after his arrest, Friedmann's defense attorney Ben Raybin released this statement:
"It is important to clarify that the new vandalism charge stems from alleged conduct arising last year, and not any recent actions occurring after his previous arrest. Mr. Friedmann surrendered himself immediately after being advised of the new charge last night. The keys were returned to the Sheriff’s Office several weeks ago through counsel. I am currently unable to comment on any of the factual allegations. Mr. Friedmann is presumed innocent and will respond through the appropriate legal processes."
