Winnsboro Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Juawn Robertson, 39, of Winnsboro, was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on May 30, 2021, an officer with the Cayce Department of Public Safety tried to conduct a traffic stop on Robertson’s vehicle. Robertson did not stop and continued to drive eventually stalling in the parking lot of a local restaurant. Robertson then ran from his vehicle. Officers caught Robertson and took him into custody.

After officers detained Robertson, they reviewed the dash camera footage of the traffic stop which recorded Robertson tossing a bag during his flight from law enforcement. Officers recovered the bag which contained a loaded firearm. Robertson has prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and assault and battery 2^nd degree. All of which prohibit him from possessing firearms.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Robertson to 40 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cayce Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.

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