Gordon ‘Rudy’ Connell, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, South Carolina 2023

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A Dorchester County felon has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Gordon ‘Rudy’ Connell, 28, of Summerville, was sentenced by United States District Judge David C. Norton on [no date given].

Connell has numerous felony convictions, including for illegally possessing firearms (including sawed off shotguns), theft, and violent assaults. Since Connell turned 18, he has been arrested on 53 warrants in 20 incidents with 24 convictions. He was on probation at the time of this crime.

The evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Connell was arrested in Laurens County on Sept. 9, 2023, for stealing a motorcycle. After the arrest, he sold his motorcycle to Timothy Lattimer to raise money for bond. When Connell posted bond and was released from jail, he demanded that Lattimer return the motorcycle. Lattimer refused. Days later on Sept. 15, Connell stole the motorcycle back from Lattimer’s yard.

That night, Lattimer drove to where Connell was staying and saw him working on the motorcycle. Surveillance videos recovered from the residence by Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office detectives showed that Lattimer drove down the driveway where Connell approached him in his car. Both exchanged threats and Lattimer drove off and returned later with a firearm. Connell, who was again working on the motorcycle, approached Lattimer, who had begun backing away toward the street. Connell pulled out a gun from his waistband and pointed the gun at Lattimer.

The two exchanged gun fire, and Connell ran from the scene. One of Lattimer’s shots hit another person in the yard, severely injuring her. Detectives recovered spent shell casings from the crime scene. Lattimer was arrested and a 9mm pistol was recovered. Lattimer was convicted and is currently incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Arrest warrants were also issued for Connell. On Sept. 18, 2023, Connell was spotted by Dorchester County Sheriff’s deputies riding a white motorcycle and attempted to arrest him. Connell fled. Deputies found the white motorcycle in a ditch behind a business with a loaded 9mm handgun strapped to the handlebar. Connell was found hiding inside the business and was arrested.

“Career criminals, like Connell, propel violence into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Law enforcement is working together at every level to identify, investigate and prosecute offenders who continue to break the law and put others in danger. Thank you to our partners at ATF and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office for seeing this investigation through.”

Connell was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.