Felon Sentenced 57 Months for Gun Possession

BREAKING: Elisha Shaleel Patterson, a 21-year-old Charleston man, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for violating federal gun laws.

Patterson was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon and was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Norton. The sentence will be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.

The evidence presented in court showed that Patterson was involved in a large group of individuals on Allway Street in downtown Charleston on April 24, 2022, where they were gambling. Investigators were keeping a close eye on the area after a shooting occurred there the previous day. When Patterson was seen removing a firearm from his pants and placing it in a vehicle, investigators arrived and found the stolen gun, a digital scale, and marijuana.

Patterson is federally prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to his previous felony conviction. The investigation was a collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Charleston Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting the case, which is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The program focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy, supporting community-based organizations, and setting strategic enforcement priorities.

This case highlights the importance of community involvement in crime prevention and the need for effective law enforcement strategies to keep neighborhoods safe. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.