FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS ADVISORY
July 8, 2014
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG ANNOUNCES GUILTY PLEAS FOR TALLEDEGA SHOOTING
THAT INJURED TWO UNINVOLVED BYSTANDERS AT ELKS CLUB
(MONTGOMERY) -Attorney General Luther Strange announced the conviction today of
a man for a shooting at the Talladega Elks Club that injured two young women who were
uninvolved bystanders. Jonathan Darrell Moten, also known as “Peaches,” pleaded guilty in
Talladega County Circuit Court to one count of discharging a weapon into an occupied
building, one count of discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, one count of first-degree
assault and one count of second-degree assault. Moten was sentenced as a habitual offender to
15 years imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently.
“This defendant fully intended to shoot and cause serious injury to certain individuals,
and he acted with reckless disregard for all others who were nearby,” said Attorney General
Strange. “Thankfully, the two young women who were shot survived, and no others were
injured. This is a terrible crime that could have caused far more severe damage. The defendant
has admitted to these acts and deserves to face stern punishment for the harm he has done.”
According to evidence from prosecutors, on December 22, 2012 Moten was involved in
an altercation at the Talladega Elks Lodge. After club security broke up the altercation, Moten
ran outside to his car and retrieved a pistol. As the other individuals who were involved in the
altercation left the club, he confronted them in the parking lot and began firing his pistol at
them multiple times.
Moten missed his intended targets, but stray bullets hit two young women inside the
club who had no involvement in the original altercation. Both victims were taken to University
of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center and treated for their injuries, which they survived.
Moten’s intended targets ran to their car and left the parking lot while Moten fired
additional shots into their vehicle, but fortunately missed all of the occupants. Moten’s intended
victims as well as club security guards confirmed that Moten was the individual who fired the
shots.
Moten was sentenced as a habitual offender due to a prior conviction for second-degree
robbery in Montgomery County.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a
successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General John C. Hensley III and
Ternisha Miles of his Criminal Trials Division. He also thanked the Talladega Police
Department for its investigation and the Talladega County District Attorney’s Office for
valuable assistance.
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov
