Charleston Felon in Possession Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison in Federal Court

Contact Person: Emily Limehouse (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Junnie Lavon Williams, age 29, of Charleston, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), facing a sentence of up to ten years in prison.  Williams was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2004 and burglary in 2011, making him a prohibited person under the law.  United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Williams to seven years in prison.  The term of imprisonment is to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Williams pled guilty on January 15, 2016.  Facts incorporated into the record at sentencing established that on January 31, 2015, a City of Charleston Police Department officer approached Williams because he fit the description of a person reportedly smoking marijuana on the sidewalk of North Market Street.  Williams fled as the officer approached.  Williams fell entering a construction site and attempted to discard an object from his front waist band.  The officer detained Williams and discovered a black Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition within arm's reach of Williams.  Williams was also carrying a second loaded magazine in his pocket.  The pistol's serial number had been filed off and black marker covered the scratch marks.  Officers conducted an NCIC query and determined that Williams was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.  The conviction was a result of an investigation conducted by the City of Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Emily Limehouse of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.      

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