Johnny Willie Jones, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, South Carolina 2016

Columbia, SC – In a disturbing case of gun violence, Johnny Willie Jones, 30, of Columbia, South Carolina has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. This crime is a serious offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

According to the evidence presented in court, Jones was involved in a physical altercation at a halfway house on Lady Street in January 2016. The manager of the home confronted Jones about having a female in his room, which is against the rules. A verbal altercation turned physical, and Jones retrieved a sawed-off shotgun from his room. He then shot in the direction of the two females, but fortunately, they were unharmed. Jones fled the scene and was later arrested in Arizona.

Jones had previously been convicted of kidnapping and two counts of armed robbery, making him prohibited from possessing a firearm. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

The maximum penalty for a felon in possession of a firearm is imprisonment for 10 years and a fine of $250,000. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis will impose sentence after reviewing the presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire aims to reduce gun violence and keep communities safe.

The guilty plea marks a significant step in holding Jones accountable for his actions. The Columbia community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice is being served. The Columbia Police Department and the FBI are to be commended for their tireless efforts in investigating and prosecuting this case.

For more information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon at (803) 929-3000.

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