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.

DRUG SUPPLIER OF GANGSTA KILLER BLOODS SENTENCED TO 480 MONTHS

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced that Jarvis McKenzie, a/k/a “Jay Rock,” age 31, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court to 480 months imprisonment on drug and firearm charges. McKenzie was also sentenced to ten years of supervised release, which will follow his 480-month sentence. A federal jury convicted McKenzie in April 2008, following a four-day trial before United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson. McKenzie was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of crack and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; three counts of use of a telephone to further a drug felony; and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case arose out of an investigation by the FBI-led Columbia Violent Gang Task Force into the illegal activities of members of the Gangsta Killer Bloods set of the Bloods street gang. The FBI obtained information from confidential sources, cooperating defendants, and federally issued wiretaps. Twenty-four members and associates of the Bloods gang were convicted as part of this investigation.

The investigation identified McKenzie as one of the primary suppliers of cocaine and crack cocaine to the gang members. Evidence showed that during the conspiracy, McKenzie was involved in the distribution of over 65 kilograms of cocaine and more than 34 kilograms of crack cocaine. In January 2007, federal agents executed nine federal search warrants at various residences, including McKenzie's. Agents seized over $250,000 in cash from McKenzie's residence, as well as two automobiles and two firearms. Over $320,000 in cash was seized overall in the nine searches. McKenzie is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of crack.

This case was investigated by agents of the FBI's Columbia Violent Gang Task Force, as part of Project CeaseFire. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey D. Haynes and Jane B. Taylor of the Columbia office.

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.

Presidential Candidate Giving Away a Firearm

The donor who makes the highest contribution to the Barr Presidential campaign online before 12:00 midnight EDT October 29 will receives this fine example of American technology and craftsmanship, an autographed 12 gauge Mossberg Model 590A pump shotgun.

Barr says that, "Unlike many politicians who claim to be pro-gun, Bob Barr walks the walk. Yes, he exercises his right to own and carry firearms, just like me and millions of other law-abiding Americans. And when he does, it's a .45 Glock that he has holstered."