Reco Valarie Cauthen, Felony Firearm Possession, South Carolina 2023

Columbia, SC – In a shocking turn of events, Reco Valarie Cauthen, a 42-year-old Lancaster County man, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The crime, punishable by up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, has left many in the community stunned.

According to court documents, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department received a call regarding an ongoing burglary. The caller provided a description of the burglars and the vehicle they were driving, a white pickup truck with a dealer’s tag. As officers arrived on the scene, they were given the name of the person who had test-driven the vehicle earlier that morning but had not returned it.

As the officers searched the area for the vehicle, they spotted a black Lexus driven by Cauthen and three other individuals. The officers were familiar with these individuals and had been mentioned as receivers of stolen items. When the officers began to follow the car, McIlwain, a passenger, jumped out and began running.

The officers gave chase on foot, with some pursuing McIlwain while others located the black Lexus nearby. Cauthen was driving the car, and despite not having a driver’s license, he was asked to stop. A search of the vehicle revealed a Ruger model P95, 9mm pistol hidden in a closed compartment under the driver’s seat.

As the investigation unfolded, another officer reported seeing Cauthen’s car and the white truck used in the burglary at Cauthen’s house earlier in the day. The white truck had been found abandoned near Cauthen’s home. A search warrant was obtained for Cauthen’s home, where officers found an AMT Government model .45 caliber pistol, 34 rounds of 9mm ammunition, six 30-round magazines for an AK-47 type rifle, a Jimenez .380 caliber pistol box, and one 7.62×39 caliber round of ammunition.

United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that the maximum penalty Cauthen could receive is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Law Enforcement Division, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

Reco Valarie Cauthen’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the community, and the severity of the crime has left many wondering how such a serious offense could occur. The investigation and subsequent arrest are a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in the region.

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