Greenville Felon Garrett Admits to Illegal Gun Possession

GREENVILLE, SC – Joshua Matthew Garrett, 26, of Greenville, South Carolina, is facing a decade behind bars after admitting in federal court today that he illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition. The guilty plea, accepted by United States District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, marks a win for “Operation Real-Time,” a multi-agency initiative aimed at stripping guns from the hands of repeat offenders.

According to court documents, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) encountered Garrett on November 15, 2016. As deputies approached his vehicle, Garrett opened the driver’s side door, immediately revealing a loaded Harrington & Richardson .22 caliber revolver in the door pocket. The weapon was seized, and a subsequent investigation confirmed Garrett’s prior criminal history disqualified him from legally owning a gun.

Prosecutors established that Garrett had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than a year in prison. Crucially, he hadn’t received a pardon or had his firearm rights restored. This made possession of the handgun a clear violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g), a federal law prohibiting convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Garrett now faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

“Operation Real-Time,” launched in August 2015, is a collaborative effort between a dozen law enforcement agencies, including the Greenville Police Department, Anderson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). The program’s goal is the swift federal prosecution of individuals with significant criminal histories who continue to illegally possess firearms in the Upstate region of South Carolina. To date, the initiative has led to the expedited prosecution of approximately 90 defendants and the seizure of around 110 firearms.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake praised the interagency cooperation, stating, “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.” The case was investigated by the GCSO and ATF, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen.

This case serves as a stark reminder that those with a history of criminal behavior who continue to arm themselves will be aggressively targeted by law enforcement. The combined resources of federal and state agencies are focused on removing these dangerous individuals from the streets and ensuring the safety of the Upstate community. Contact Max Cauthen, II at (864) 282-2100 for further information.