Terrance Demetrius Bass, 34, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after being convicted on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana.
The case stems from an incident on December 16, 2022, when officers from the Columbia Police Department approached Bass in a vehicle following reports from citizens about possible drug sales. Officers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. During the search, they found a bag containing 295 pills that tested positive for methamphetamine, 91 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution, a firearm in the glove compartment, and a scale in the center console. Bass admitted ownership of both the firearm and marijuana.
Bass has previous convictions including conspiracy to commit burglary and armed robbery, assault and battery, and domestic violence. These prior offenses prohibit him from possessing firearms under federal law.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Bass to 80 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts between law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting local organizations aimed at preventing violence, focusing enforcement priorities strategically, and measuring results (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-announces-new-efforts-reduce-violent-crime).
The City of Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted it.
