⏱ 2 min read
Carlos Antwon Lewis, a 46-year-old man from Columbia, SC, was busted for illegally possessing a firearm after a traffic stop on March 4, 2025. Lewis, who was the front passenger in an SUV, admitted to having a gun when a Richland County Sheriff’s deputy smelled marijuana and asked him to step out. The deputy recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from Lewis’ waistband. Lewis has a long rap sheet, including convictions for arson, burglary, and distribution of methamphetamine, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm.
Lewis’ prior convictions made him a prohibited person, and his decision to carry a gun anyway has now landed him in federal prison. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced him to 57 months behind bars, followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime and make communities safer. The program is tailored to address specific crime challenges in each community and emphasizes rapid federal response to violent crime and strong partnerships among law enforcement.
Lewis will serve his time without parole, thanks to the federal system’s no-parole policy. His sentence serves as a warning to others who would illegally possess firearms, and it’s a testament to the work of law enforcement and prosecutors who are dedicated to keeping communities safe.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Weapons
- Defendant: South Carolina
- Location: SC
- Source: DOJ Press Release
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons