Bishopville Man Enters Guilty Plea in Federal Court on Gun Charges

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Eric Holloway, age 42, of Bishopville, pled guilty on Monday in federal court in Florence, to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
 
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that prior to the March 8, 2016 offense date, ATF agents, based on information that Holloway was involved in illegal gun sales, was able to introduce an undercover informant to Holloway.  On March 8, 2016, in Hartsville, South Carolina, the undercover informant met with Holloway and purchased a 9mm Taurus pistol and 22 rounds of ammo from Holloway. The sale was recorded on audio and video.  Holloway is a convicted felon and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. The firearm had previously travelled in interstate commerce which gave federal agents jurisdiction over the offense.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Buddy Bethea of the Florence office handled the case.

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