Columbia Man and Prior Felon Indicted on Gun Charge

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a single-count indictment against Brandon Chanell Joyner, 28, of Columbia, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on July 18, 2023, Joyner possessed a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. On that date, Joyner was arrested on state charges from a shooting incident near Stoneridge Drive and Greystone Boulevard in Columbia that involved a significant law enforcement response from multiple agencies.

Joyner has previous felony convictions that prevent him from lawfully possessing a firearm. He is currently detained awaiting trial for the state charges related to the incident. He is only charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Joyner faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Columbia Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sanford is prosecuting the case. 

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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