Myrtle Beach Felon Who Threatened Police on Facebook Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge in Federal Court

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Anthony Scott Hunt, age 37, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., pled guilty in federal court in Florence to Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  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 on February 19, 2018, a complainant met with an officer at the Horry County Police Department (HCPD) regarding some disturbing Facebook posts by Anthony Scott Hunt, which were directed toward Horry County Police and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).  In the Facebook posts, Hunt referenced DEU in Horry County and stated he was “taking these…cops to war” and that he had automatic weapons, ammunition, and body armor.  He also stated he is “stalking my guns up” and that he had a “Beretta 45,” along with other specific guns, so he is “Ready for War.”  HCPD located, on the Facebook account, a picture of Hunt wearing what appeared to be a “Raiders” jersey and hat, bandana mask, and beaded bracelets while holding what appeared to be a Beretta pistol. 

Horry County detectives obtained a search warrant for the property where Hunt lived and located, in Hunt’s living quarters, a Beretta .45 caliber handgun, loaded with rounds of ammunition, along with the jersey, hat, bandana, and bracelets Hunt was depicted wearing in his Facebook picture.  Prior to his possession of the firearm, Hunt had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year. 

U.S. Attorney Lydon stated the defendant faces a maximum penalty of $250,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Myrtle Beach Violent Crimes Task Force, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Bomb Team.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.

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