A 10-year prison sentence and a hefty fine are the price to pay for one Columbia man’s decision to engage in a life of crime.
Joseph Dean Dyches, 42, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms, a crime that’s taken a devastating toll on his life and the lives of those around him.
According to evidence presented to the court, on Nov. 13, 2019, Dyches sold a .45 caliber handgun and a loaded, stolen, unregistered, short-barreled shotgun to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). During the transaction, Dyches admitted to being a “five-time felon.” Approximately one week later, Dyches was pulled over by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and found to be in possession of a .40 caliber handgun, a loaded .22 caliber handgun, multiple rounds of ammunition, and methamphetamine.
Dyches’ rap sheet is a laundry list of serious crimes, including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, strong armed robbery, assault and battery 1st degree, and criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature.
United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis handed down the sentence, which will be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision. In addition to his prison time, Dyches was also ordered to pay a $35,000 fine. 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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein. The outcome should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of a life of crime, and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
Related Federal Cases
- Simpsonville Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm Possession · South Carolina
- Allendale Man Indicted on Cocaine, Firearm Charges · South Carolina
- Greenville Gunman Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession Charges · South Carolina
- Columbia Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession · South Carolina
- Anderson Felon Tossed Guns, Bombs During Traffic Stop · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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