COLUMBIA, S.C. – Iric Bolden, 31, of Columbia, will spend the next 24 years of his life behind bars after receiving a 288-month federal sentence for a brazen spree of armed robberies that terrorized Midlands convenience stores in the fall of 2019. Bolden pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, robbery, and attempted robbery, bringing a swift, if overdue, end to the case.
The evidence laid bare in court painted a picture of a calculated predator. Over just nine days, Bolden targeted four businesses, brandishing a handgun and demanding cash, cigarettes, and even personal belongings from terrified clerks and customers. The first incident occurred September 29, 2019, at the 76 gas station on Two Notch Rd. Bolden didn’t hesitate to point his weapon at both the clerk and a customer who attempted to leave, holding them hostage while he ransacked the store.
His next target, the Marathon Corner Stop on Faraway Dr. the following day, saw a momentary lapse in his composure. Confronted by a clerk who didn’t flinch, Bolden’s mask slipped, forcing him to flee empty-handed. But the failed attempt didn’t deter him. Three days later, on October 3rd, Bolden stormed the Mini Mart on S. Kilbourne Rd., forcing a clerk to the ground before pilfering cash, cigarettes, and a cell phone. The final confirmed robbery took place October 6th at Percival Grocery, where he again threatened the clerk at gunpoint, making off with money, cigarettes, and another stolen cell phone.
Law enforcement officials were able to piece together the pattern of crimes thanks to crystal-clear surveillance footage from each location. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department apprehended Bolden, and during questioning, he confessed to the robberies. Investigators also uncovered a concerning pattern in Bolden’s past – multiple prior convictions for shoplifting and a recent probation stemming from a strong-arm robbery, revealing a history of escalating criminal behavior.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis delivered the sentence, ensuring Bolden will remain incarcerated for the full 288 months, with no possibility of parole. This case is a key component of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and strengthening community trust through collaborative law enforcement efforts. The Department of Justice recently reinforced PSN with a renewed focus on community-based prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction that sends a clear message: armed robbery will not be tolerated in South Carolina, and those who prey on innocent citizens will face the full weight of the law.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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