Everette Kale Wanamaker, a 37-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has received a federal prison sentence exceeding 12 years after admitting to federal firearm offenses. He pleaded guilty to charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Court presentations revealed that Wanamaker engaged in multiple illegal firearm sales. Between November 2022 and February 2023, he sold a total of 15 firearms, some of which included high-capacity magazines and had obliterated serial numbers, to undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Additionally, he sold approximately 30 grams of fentanyl and 55 grams of counterfeit heroin to these agents. His arrest on February 13, 2023, led to the discovery of three more firearms, including a stolen one, and 28 grams of fentanyl.
Despite being a convicted felon, Wanamaker was prohibited from possessing firearms and has a criminal history involving multiple offenses such as possession with intent to distribute marijuana, domestic violence, financial identity fraud, possession of heroin, and possession of methamphetamine.
The sentence was pronounced by United States District Judge Mary Geiger-Lewis, who ordered Wanamaker to serve 151 months in prison, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. The federal system does not allow parole.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence within communities. On May 26, 2021, an enhanced strategy was launched for PSN to address violent crime through fostering community trust, supporting preventive community-based organizations, setting enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
Various agencies participated in the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, West Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The prosecution was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore.
