Leandre Budden, Firearms and Drug Violations, South Carolina 2017

Columbia, South Carolina - In a shocking turn of events, Leandre Budden, a/k/a 'Bubba,' has been sentenced to 235 months of incarceration for his conviction on federal firearm and drug violations.

According to sources, Budden, age 35, was found guilty of Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Quantities of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C).

Evidence presented in court revealed that in April and May of 2017, Budden sold both firearms and drugs throughout Sumter County, including a semiautomatic weapon. It was discovered that Budden is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for armed robbery, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, grand larceny, and burglary.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Sumter County Sherriff's Office. Budden was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

Project CeaseFire is South Carolina's continued application of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.

Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.

Leandre Budden, 35, was sentenced to 235 months of incarceration for his conviction on federal firearm and drug violations.

Budden's crimes include Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon and Possession with Intent to Distribute Quantities of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Sumter County Sherriff's Office.

Project CeaseFire is a joint federal, state and local initiative that aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/sumter-man-sentenced-federal-firearm-and-drug-violations