Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Brandon LaChristopher Golson, age 35, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 2:30am on March 26, 2017, troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint near Ramblin Road and Lake Francis Road in Lexington County when they encountered Golson, the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that came through the checkpoint. Troopers discovered that Golson’s license was suspended and when they had Golson exit the vehicle, they saw a loaded Smith and Wesson.40 caliber handgun in his rear waistband. Golson was arrested on state charges and a search incident to that arrest revealed a small amount of marijuana in his pants pocket.
Golson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include convictions for attempted burglary 2nd degree (2001), possession of a controlled substance (2005), possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2010), possession of cocaine (2011), and possession of controlled substance (2014). Additionally, Golson was previously convicted in Lexington County state court for unlawful carrying of a pistol in 2015 and in 2016.
Golson faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
