LANES MAN HEADED TO FEDERAL PRISON

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Robert Junior Brown, age 27, of Lanes, South Carolina, was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On July 19, 2008, Brown was stopped for speeding. Police conducting the traffic stop learned that Brown had outstanding warrants and placed him under arrest. Officers seized a loaded .380 caliber pistol from Brown’s waistband and marijuana, ecstasy pills, scales, and cash from his vehicle. Brown has prior convictions for resisting arrest and drug charges and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Kingstree Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case as part of Project CeaseFire, which seeks to prosecute individuals who unlawfully use or possess firearms.

LATTA FELON SENTENCED TO MORE THAN 15 YEARS

United States Attorney W. Walter Walkins announced today that Ray Lavonda Smith, age 32, of Latta, was sentenced in federal court to 185 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Terry Wooten, following his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm..

Evidence in the case showed that Latta police responded to a “shots fired” call on January 11, 2008. Witnesses told officers that Ray Smith had shot at another man. Police stopped a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle and performed a pat down search of Smith, who was seated in the passenger seat. Officers seized a loaded .22 caliber revolver from Smith’s coat pocket, at which time Smith slipped out of his jacket and fled from the scene on foot. There was one spent shell casing in Smith’s gun.

Smith has numerous prior convictions: Distribution of Crack and Possessing a Firearm in 1994; Distribution of Crack in 1995; Possession of Crack in 2001; Resisting Arrest in 2004; Assault and Battery in 2005; and Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature in 2006.

The case was investigated by the Latta Police Department, the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence Office.

FLORENCE FELON FACES FEDERAL CHARGES

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced today that a Federal Grand Jury charged Shawn Altego Cato, age 25, of Florence, in a four-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on October 22, 2008, and committing the following federal charges on December 11, 2008: felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

The maximum penalty Cato could receive is life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence Office, as a part of Project Cease Fire, an initiative of the United States Attorneys Office targeting gun crimes.

LONGS MAN CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR FIREARM

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced today that Lashon Alvin Ladson, age 23, of Longs, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on May 3, 2008. The charge arises from a traffic stop in Horry County last May, during which deputies allegedly recovered a stolen gun.

The maximum penalty the defendant could receive is life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Horry County Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence Office, as a part of Project Cease Fire, an initiative of the United States Attorneys Office targeting gun crimes.

BENNETTSVILLE MAN FACES FEDERAL GUN CHARGES

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced today that a Federal Grand Jury returned an Indictment against Brian Sentell Brand, age 29, of Bennettsville, South Carolina, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The allegation stems from Brand’s armed stand-off with police last December on Lawson Street in Bennettsville, during which an individual was shot.

The maximum penalty Brand could receive is life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Bennettsville Police Department, Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence Office is prosecuting the case as a part of Project Cease Fire, an initiative of the United States Attorneys Office targeting gun crimes.