Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today, “I am thrilled that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been able to return to full operations this week following the lapse in government funding. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and to our federal law enforcement partners, the vast majority of whom worked without pay for the duration of the shutdown. They exhibited dedication, determination, and perseverance throughout this difficult period as they worked to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice across our State. I am particularly proud of ongoing efforts to aggressively prosecute the most violent offenders who continue to unlawfully possess firearms. This office will never fail in its mission to protect the safety and security of the residents of South Carolina."
Below is a summary of some of the matters the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted during the lapse in government funding as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm and Drug Charges. Trent Jerrod Daniels, age 31, of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Columbia to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Evidence presented in court established that on May 8, 2018 deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department attempted a traffic stop after observing what they believed to be drug deals between an individual in a vehicle and others in the roadway. A high-speed chase ensued, during which the driver was observed throwing a bag out of the window of the vehicle. Ultimately, the vehicle was stopped and the driver was determined to be Daniels.
Deputies recovered the bag thrown from the vehicle and found it contained a loaded Hi-Point.380 caliber handgun, marijuana, and digital scales. Deputies also found a small quantity of crack cocaine in the vehicle and counterfeit money in Daniels’ pocket. Daniels admitted to making drug sales earlier and to throwing the bag containing the marijuana and loaded gun out of the car during the chase. A ballistics examination found that the recovered firearm had been used in a shooting during a burglary in December 2017.
Daniels, who was on state parole at the time of the instant offense, is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree (two separate counts), use of a motor vehicle without owner’s permission, grand larceny over $1,000, but less than $5,000 (2 separate counts), strong arm robbery, and distribution of crack cocaine.
Daniels faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and three years of court-ordered supervision on the felon in possession charge. Due to a prior felony drug offense, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and four years of court-ordered supervision on the possession with intent to distribute marijuana charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
Gaston Man Pleads to Federal Firearm Charge Following High-Speed Chase. Jason C. Dix, age 41, of Gaston, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Columbia to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court showed that on June 8, 2018, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) deputies on patrol attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Dix for a traffic violation. Dix led deputies on a high speed chase - clocking as high as 104 miles per hour - before Dix ran two red lights and crashed into an uninvolved vehicle, sending two to a nearby hospital. LCSD deputies found a Ruger 9mm pistol and two firearm magazines loaded with ammunition in the vehicle driven by Dix.
Federal law prohibits Dix from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon prior state convictions for Assault & Battery of a High & Aggravated Nature, Possession of Methamphetamine/Crack, three convictions for Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle, three convictions for Driving Under the Influence, Criminal Domestic Violence, Maintaining Drug Dwelling, Possession of Methamphetamine Precursors, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and two convictions for Manufacturing Methamphetamine, among others.
Dix faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and three years of court-ordered supervision. The charge against Dix was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office and Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey Rankin Smith of the Lexington County Solicitor’s Office are prosecuting the case.
Bennettsville Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison on Federal Gun Charge. Tommie Brenda McLaurin, age 36, of Bennettsville, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced McLaurin to 46 months in federal prison, with three years of court-ordered supervision to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court established that on Nov. 17, 2016, members of various law enforcement agencies from South and North Carolina collaborated on executing a state search warrant at McLaurin’s residence in Bennettsville. McLaurin was arrested on scene for an outstanding warrant out of North Carolina and admitted to possessing a loaded Zastava pistol that was recovered from the residence. The firearm was listed as stolen. Federal law prohibits McLaurin from possessing firearms or ammunition based on prior state convictions for trafficking in cocaine and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
The charges against McLaurin were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office (SC), the Rockingham Police Department (NC), the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office (NC), the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (NC), and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (SC). Assistant United States Attorneys Everett McMillian and Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
Two Defendants Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Following Myrtle Beach Armed Robberies. Jeremy Lamar Hayes, age 29, and Kennedy Boggs, age 26, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to federal robbery and gun charges. Hayes pled guilty to two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery (robbery affecting commerce) and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence. Boggs pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of Aiding and Abetting the Brandishing of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on Jan. 29, 2018, officers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) responded to an armed robbery at a dry cleaner in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register and the victim’s wallet. Hayes took money from the register, the victim’s wallet and cell phone, and the store phone and then fled in a vehicle.
The next day, MBPD officers responded to an armed robbery at a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC. Hayes entered the location, presented a firearm, and demanded money from the register. He took cash from the register and an employee’s cell phone. Hayes then forced employees to lay on the ground and count while Hayes exited the store and fled in a vehicle.
After the restaurant robbery, MBPD located a vehicle matching the description of the get-away vehicle. The driver, Kennedy Boggs, failed to stop, and after a pursuit, both Boggs and Hayes were detained. MBPD found in the vehicle clothing matching the description of clothing worn by Hayes during the robberies. Hayes’ fingerprint was also located at the scene of the restaurant robbery. Boggs admitted that she had driven Hayes to the robberies and that during the vehicle pursuit, the firearm was thrown out of the window. Officers later recovered the firearm.
Hayes and Boggs face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. The charges against Hayes and Boggs were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Surfside Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office (NC), and the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office (NC). Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
West Columbia Illegal Alien Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm. Felix Martinez-Melquisdes, age 35, of West Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia after pleading guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Martinez to 20 months in prison, to be followed by two years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court established that Martinez was prohibited from possessing a firearm as a Mexican citizen who had entered and was living in the United States illegally. The investigation of Martinez began as the result of email and telephone conversations Martinez had with a girl in Kentucky. The girl was about to graduate from high school and Martinez wanted to pick her up and take her to South Carolina, but she did not want to go. Martinez responded on May 12, 2018, by threatening to attend her graduation and shoot everyone there. This resulted in an arrest warrant for Terrorist Threats being issued in Kentucky. Graduation was scheduled for May 19, 2018, and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Martinez at his job on May 16. At the time of his arrest, Martinez was carrying a loaded Glock.40 caliber pistol.
The case was investigated by agents of SLED, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
Longs Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm Charge. Quinn Hakeem McCray, age 29, of Longs, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced McCray to 15 years in federal prison, followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented in court established that on June 28, 2018, officers with the Horry County Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force attempting to locate McCray in reference to an outstanding arrest warrant spotted him riding as a passenger in a vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. When the vehicle came to a stop, McCray fled on foot, and police noted that he was carrying a pistol with a high-capacity magazine in his hand. After a brief foot chase, police caught up to McCray and arrested him. Federal law prohibits McCray from possessing firearms or ammunition based on his prior state convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, pointing and presenting a firearm, and strong arm robbery.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Horry County Police Department. Special Assistant United States Attorney David P. Caraker, Jr. of the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.
Florence Man Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison on Gun and Drug Charges. Chadrick Letran James, age 29, of Florence, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced James to 63 months in federal prison with five years of court-ordered supervision to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on Sept. 1, 2017, a corporal with the Florence Police Department conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle James was driving. The corporal could smell an odor of marijuana coming from both James and the vehicle. James admitted to smoking marijuana and having marijuana in the vehicle’s cup holder. A search of the vehicle also revealed a plastic bag in the driver’s side door believed to be used to package narcotics and a book bag that contained several bags of marijuana, a bottle of crack cocaine, a bag of cocaine, a set of digital scales, and a Smith and Wesson, model SW40VE,.40 caliber pistol loaded with 14 rounds of.40 caliber ammunition.
The charges against James were the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Florence Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
North Charleston Man Faces Federal Charges in Tavern & Table Robbery and Shooting. Brandon Lloyd Daniels of North Charleston, South Carolina, was charged in a five-count indictment arising out of the April 4, 2018, robbery of Tavern & Table, a Mt. Pleasant restaurant located on Shem Creek. The superseding indictment alleges that Daniels and another man robbed the restaurant at gunpoint and shot an employee in the back. Daniels, who was previously indicted for possessing an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and being a felon in possession of a firearm, now faces additional charges including robbery affecting interstate commerce and the discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted, Daniels faces a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Schoen, Matt Austin, and Jim May are prosecuting the case.
All charges in this indictment are merely accusations, and Daniels is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. ##
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
