A federal jury in Columbia has found Yashawnus Leekean Patterson, 44, guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction follows a two-day trial where evidence included testimony and body camera footage from the Columbia Police Department.
Officers were called to a downtown hotel to remove Patterson, who was no longer staying there. Upon discovering an outstanding bench warrant from the Cayce Police Department, they arrested him. A search revealed a loaded 9mm pistol in his waistband, a 30-round magazine in his backpack, and 74 rounds of ammunition among his belongings. Patterson admitted he was aware he could not legally possess a firearm.
Patterson's criminal record includes felony convictions for offenses such as criminal sexual conduct with a minor and strong-arm robbery dating back to 1998.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the trial and will sentence Patterson after reviewing a report from the U.S. Probation Office. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison, along with potential fines and restitution.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. This initiative was strengthened by the Department of Justice on May 26, 2021.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Sanford and Elizabeth Major are handling prosecution duties.
