Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that William L. Dodson, age 43, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston sentenced Dodson to fifteen years imprisonment, to be followed by two years’ supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that officers with the North Charleston Police Department initiated a traffic stop on Dodson and Dodson fled on foot. As Dodson ran from law enforcement, he threw a loaded Beretta 9 mm handgun, along with marijuana and cocaine, which law enforcement recovered after Dodson was apprehended. Dodson has multiple prior felony convictions, including four prior convictions for possessing of narcotics with intent to distribute. Dodson is also awaiting sentencing on state charges of ill treatment of animals after pleading guilty in an unrelated matter in August 2016.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF") and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
