Blood Gang Member Sentenced to 85 Months for Possession of Fully Automatic Firearm and Reckless Endangerment During Flight From Law Enforcement

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jacquel Sumter, age 23, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis, of Columbia, sentenced Sumter to 85 months incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that on January 21, 2017, Deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Honda CRV traveling at approximately 105 miles per hour near mile marker 100 on Interstate 20 in Kershaw County.  When Deputies initiated their blue lights and sirens, the driver, later identified as Sumter, accelerated and attempted to flee. The chase continued for approximately 10 minutes with Sumter weaving in and out of traffic at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.  After Sumter entered Richland County, he began to slow down and drift towards a barrier wall on Interstate 20.  As the vehicle slowed, Sumter and the other four occupants of the vehicle jumped out and attempted to run into the wood line. After a short foot chase and a brief resistance, Deputies detained Sumter. 

When Deputies searched the CRV they located a fully automatic Intratec Model Tec 9, nine millimeter pistol with an obliterated serial number between the driver’s seat and center console. The firearm was loaded with 14 rounds of nine millimeter CBC ammunition.  A records check for Sumter revealed he was convicted of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature on December 13, 2016. This offense carries a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and prohibited Sumter from possessing firearms and ammunition. According to Sumter’s rap sheet he is a known documented Bloods Gang member.

Following Sumter’s arrest, he was placed in a Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and advised of his Miranda rights. After Sumter waived his rights, he agreed to talk and indicated he jumped out and ran when he saw the blue lights. He claimed he was sleeping during the police chase and did not know who was driving the vehicle. Deputies determined that the CRV was stolen out of Richland County and while searching the vehicle Deputies also found various electronics, a safe, burglary tools, and male clothing (a pair of red and black pants).

During the sentencing hearing, AUSA J.D. Rowell noted that Sumter had been arrested and convicted of various crimes a total of 13 times between 2004 and 2017.  Despite numerous state arrests for charges including burglary, simple assault and battery, disturbing schools, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, petit larceny, trespassing, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN), Sumter has never served a significant custodial sentence.  On December 13, 2016, Sumter pled guilty to ABHAN in Richland County General Sessions Court and received a sentence of 15 months imprisonment with credit for time served. Thirty-nine (39) days after being sentenced to state prison, he fled from Kershaw County Deputies in a high-speed chase at speeds of over 120 mph, while armed with a fully automatic Tech 9 assault pistol.

As part of their investigation, ATF Agents searched Sumter’s public Facebook page and found numerous photographs of Sumter possessing firearms.  At the time of his arrest, Sumter’s profile picture depicted Sumter wearing a mask, holding the Tech 9 assault pistol, and wearing the same red pants that were located in the back of the stolen CRV he was driving on January 21, 2017.
 

Other photographs presented at sentencing show Sumter possessing numerous firearms including some while appearing to use marijuana.
 

The case was investigated by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia Police Department, and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####