Cross Hill Man Sentenced for Possession of a Firearm

Greenville, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Michael Jerome Davis, age 43, of Cross Hill, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Davis to a total term of 180 months in federal prison followed by supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 7, 2017, Clinton Public Safety officers established surveillance near a residence where Davis and another male were seen driving and acting suspiciously in Clinton. Officers determined that Davis’ license was listed as suspended and conducted a traffic stop when he attempted to drive away from the residence.  As officers approached the car, one officer observed what he believed to be a firearm on the passenger side floorboard. Davis was removed from the vehicle and Davis stated he had a firearm under the driver's seat. A search of the vehicle was conducted and from under the driver’s seat officers located a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol.

Davis is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for Pointing and Presenting a firearm, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Manufacturing Methamphetamine, and Assault and Battery 1st degree

The case was investigated by the Clinton Public Safety Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

#####