Gordon “Rudy” Connell, a 28-year-old resident of Summerville, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Connell’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions related to illegal firearm possession, theft, and violent assaults. Since turning 18, he has faced 53 warrants across 20 incidents and holds 24 convictions. At the time of his latest offense, he was on probation.
The case stems from an incident that began with Connell’s arrest in Laurens County on September 9, 2023, for motorcycle theft. After being arrested, Connell sold his motorcycle to Timothy Lattimer to secure bond money. Upon release from jail, Connell demanded the return of the motorcycle from Lattimer. When Lattimer refused, Connell took back the motorcycle from Lattimer’s yard several days later.
Later that night, Lattimer confronted Connell at his residence after seeing him working on the stolen motorcycle. Surveillance footage obtained by Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office detectives showed both men exchanging threats before Lattimer left and returned armed with a firearm. As Lattimer backed away toward the street, Connell drew a gun from his waistband and pointed it at him. Both men exchanged gunfire during this confrontation; one of Lattimer’s shots struck another individual in the yard and caused severe injury.
Law enforcement recovered spent shell casings at the scene and arrested Lattimer along with a recovered 9mm pistol. He was convicted and is currently serving time in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Connell was also subject to arrest warrants following the shootout. On September 18, Dorchester County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to apprehend him after spotting him riding a white motorcycle. Connell fled but was eventually found hiding inside a business near where deputies discovered the abandoned motorcycle with a loaded handgun attached to its handlebar.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina commented: “Career criminals, like Connell, propel violence into our communities. Law enforcement is working together at every level to identify, investigate and prosecute offenders who continue to break the law and put others in danger. Thank you to our partners at ATF and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office for seeing this investigation through.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones stated: “Repeat offenders often become bolder criminals and bigger threats to the community. This case illustrates that fact. ATF is dedicated to working closely with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, and all our law enforcement partners to lessen community violence by taking habitual criminals off our streets. This always increases public safety in our neighborhoods.”
Dorchester County Sheriff Sam Richardson added: “This case shows how local and federal partners have been working closely together to protect the people of Dorchester County. This was a dangerous, relentless offender, and our streets are safer with him serving a federal sentence. Connell is well known to police, and his criminal record speaks for itself. We are grateful to ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to justice and accountability on behalf of our citizens.”
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Connell to 120 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release; there is no parole under federal law.
The investigation benefited from leads generated by ATF's National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which allows law enforcement agencies nationwide to compare ballistic evidence quickly in order to solve or prevent violent crimes involving firearms (https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin).
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies at all levels alongside community organizations.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation; Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Kittrell prosecuted the case.
