Carlos Antwon Lewis of Columbia pleaded guilty on Apr. 20 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The plea was accepted by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, who will sentence Lewis after reviewing a report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The case is significant as it highlights ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence and ensure public safety through coordinated law enforcement actions.
According to evidence presented, a Richland County Sheriff’s deputy stopped an SUV for a traffic offense on March 4, 2025. Lewis was the front passenger in the vehicle. The deputy detected the smell of marijuana, which both occupants admitted to smoking before leaving their residence. After asking both individuals to exit the vehicle, the deputy questioned Lewis about weapons or drugs and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol with a silver Glock switch from his waistband.
Lewis is barred from possessing firearms due to previous convictions including arson, burglary, criminal domestic violence offenses, unlawful carrying of a firearm, drug-related charges near schools and distribution offenses.
He faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted at sentencing. He could also be fined up to $250,000 and face three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021 focusing on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting prevention organizations and setting strategic enforcement priorities.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina protects communities across South Carolina and ensures justice for residents according to its official website. It represents the federal government in criminal prosecutions as well as civil cases and collections according to its official website. Operating from offices in Columbia, Charleston, Florence and Greenville with approximately 120 prosecutors and support professionals according to its official website, it manages federal legal matters throughout South Carolina.
