Arthur Ryans, Jr., a 42-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., who also ordered Ryans to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. Federal law does not allow parole.
Ryans was arrested by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at a local motel following his involvement in a shooting incident. During the arrest, Springdale Police obtained a search warrant for the motel room where Ryans was staying. Inside the room, officers found a loaded 9mm pistol inside a gym bag. They also discovered multiple plastic baggies containing a purple powder and a crystal substance, as well as a digital scale and other packaging materials typically associated with narcotics distribution.
Ballistics testing confirmed that the firearm recovered from Ryans’ possession had been used in the earlier shooting incident. Due to a previous conviction for assault with intent to kill, Ryans was legally prohibited from possessing any firearms.
The investigation benefited from leads generated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is described as "the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms." According to officials, "NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles." More information about NIBIN can be found at https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Department of Justice launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, which emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting prevention efforts led by community-based organizations, focusing enforcement priorities strategically, and measuring results.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and Springdale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.
