Michael Lee Westbrook, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, South Caro…

Michael Lee Westbrook, 40, of Greenville, stood silent but resolute before U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain this morning as he entered a guilty plea to federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The arrest stemmed from a September 3, 2016 encounter with Greenville County deputies who went to a local residence searching for Westbrook on a state probation violation — and found him armed.

Deputies discovered Westbrook in the backyard of the property and, during a search, pulled a loaded Ruger .380 caliber pistol from his back pocket. A previously convicted felon, Westbrook is legally barred from possessing any firearm or ammunition. He was taken into federal custody on September 7, 2016, and has remained behind bars without bond ever since.

The case was prosecuted under ‘Operation Real-Time,’ a coordinated federal-state crackdown targeting repeat offenders who illegally carry guns in South Carolina’s Upstate region. The initiative funnels high-risk individuals with violent histories into the federal system for enhanced penalties. Since August 2015, it has led to the prosecution of about 90 defendants and the seizure of roughly 110 firearms.

Core partners in the operation include the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, South Carolina Highway Patrol, U.S. Probation, and the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. U.S. Attorney Beth Drake emphasized the power of collaboration: ‘We work best when we work together. This “real time” identification of high risk offenders is smart policing.’

Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis reaffirmed his office’s commitment to removing illegal weapons from dangerous individuals. ‘We are very glad to be a part of this program and will offer any assistance we can,’ Lewis stated, underscoring the role local law enforcement plays in intercepting armed felons before violence erupts.

Westbrook now faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum penalty of life behind bars. Sentencing is scheduled for a later date, pending completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case, which was jointly investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and ATF agents.

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