Tyrell Rakeem Sanders, a 29-year-old from Newberry, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. This follows his guilty plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to distribute.
The court was presented with evidence showing that on December 22, 2022, deputies from the Richland County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of suspected drug activity at an apartment complex parking lot. They found Sanders in the driver's seat of a vehicle emitting the odor of marijuana and spotted a firearm handle in plain view. After detaining Sanders and his passenger, deputies discovered a stolen .40 caliber pistol near the driver’s seat which Sanders admitted owning. Additionally, they found 201 grams of marijuana in a backpack on the floorboard and 37.9 grams of methamphetamine on Sanders's person.
During sentencing, Judge Sherri A. Lydon considered additional incidents involving Sanders: one in Richland County and another in Newberry County where he possessed firearms, as well as leading police on a high-speed chase over 20 miles. These factors contributed to an enhanced advisory sentencing guideline range.
Sanders was sentenced to 151 months' imprisonment followed by six years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow parole.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. It emphasizes trust-building, supporting violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the sheriff's departments from Richland and Newberry counties. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew R. Sanford is prosecuting the case.
