Simpsonville Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm Possession

Greenville, SC – In a chilling turn of events, Barry David Bassett, 41, from Simpsonville, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge stems from Bassett’s illegal possession of a Weatherby .257 caliber rifle and associated rounds on November 9, 2016.

According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, the defendant faces a decade in federal prison. He had prior convictions for crimes that could have merited over a year behind bars, yet Bassett was caught with the prohibited firearm and ammunition without his rights restored.

The case is part of “Operation Real-Time,” an initiative aimed at swiftly apprehending high-risk offenders who continue to possess firearms in the Upstate region. The partnership between state and federal agencies, including ATF and local law enforcement, has since August 2015 resulted in 90 federal prosecutions and the seizure of over 110 firearms.

Drake praised the collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in combating violent repeat offenders. Bassett’s sentencing will be determined after a review of his presentence report by U.S. District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks.

The investigation was conducted by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services, ATF, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and various federal agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is handling the case in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Contact Person: Max Cauthen, II (864) 282-2100

RELATED: Charlotte Teen Pleads Guilty to Simpsonville Gun Shop Heist