Philadelphia Policeman Killed by Gun Traced Back to SC

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins, III, stated that Jason Allen Mack, age 29, of Dalzell, South Carolina, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment today by United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie on federal firearms charges. Mack pled guilty last January to illegally possessing two firearms, and making a false statement to a firearms dealer to buy them.

Mack admitted buying a number of guns from pawn shops in South Carolina and selling them to Stephen Lashley, who in turned transported them to Philadelphia. Lashley faces federal charges in Pennsylvania for illegally transporting firearms across state lines and the possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

One of the guns purchased by Mack in Lancaster, South Carolina, and then sold to Lashley, was used to kill Philadelphia policeman Patrick McDonald last September. Federal agents and Philadelphia police are investigating the shooting case to determine how the alleged shooter, Daniel Giddings, obtained the weapon. Giddings was shot and killed by Philadelphia police officers responding to the McDonald shooting.

Mack is an admitted drug user, and is prohibited by federal law from possessing or purchasing firearms.

The case in South Carolina was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), engaged in a joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney, Robert C. Jendron, Jr., of the Columbia office was assigned to prosecute the case.

ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED IN FEDERAL FIREARMS CASE

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Salvador Garcia-Chavez, age 22, of Mexico, was sentenced to 147 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd. He received 87 months for possession of firearms and ammunition as an illegal alien, and 60 months consecutive for possession of firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Acting on a tip, investigators searched Garcia-Chavez’ residence in Greenville last July. During the search, agents seized ten firearms, assorted ammunition, and approximately one pound of methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Law Enforcement Division. Assistant United States Attorney Leesa Washington of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

Alien Charged with False Immigration Documents

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Sohail Feroz Ali Dossani, a/k/a Sohail Muhammad Jamal, age 28, of Florence, South Carolina, was charged in a federal Indictment with making a false statement in documents required by immigration law, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a). Federal agents allege that Dossani provided different names on documents he filed with immigration authorities following his lawful entry into the country in 1998 with a Pakistan passport. Investigators later located two passports issued in different names, but both bearing Dossani’s picture.

The maximum penalty Dossani could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for 10 years.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.