Felon in Possession of Firearm Takes Plea Deal

Felon in Possession of Firearm Takes Plea Deal

Columbia, SC – In a disturbing case of gun violence, Aaryon Brian Dowdy, 25, also known as ‘Trouble,’ has plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents, Dowdy was involved in an altercation at a convenience store on Farrow Road in Columbia on January 3, 2014. During the incident, he pulled a handgun and shot another individual in the head, fleeing the scene. The incident was captured on videotape.

The Columbia Police Department issued state warrants for Dowdy’s arrest, and he was apprehended in Orangeburg on January 14, 2014. At the time of his arrest, Dowdy had a loaded .357 caliber handgun in his possession, which was revealed to be the same handgun used in the January 3, 2014, incident.

Dowdy is prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based on his prior federal and state convictions for burglary 2nd degree and attempted burglary 2nd degree.

‘Dowdy faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years,’ said United States Attorney Bill Nettles. ‘However, if the district court determines that Dowdy is an armed career criminal, he faces a mandatory minimum 15 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release.’

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative.

Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes handled the case. Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000.

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