Marquel Davon Foster, Firearms Charge, South Carolina 2013

Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charge

Columbia, South Carolina – In a shocking turn of events, 23-year-old Marquel Davon Foster of Columbia, South Carolina has pleaded guilty to making a false statement in the acquisition of firearms from a federal firearms licensee, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(a)(6) and 924(a)(2). Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after reviewing the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

According to evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, Foster had made several false statements in the acquisition of firearms from a federal firearms licensee in January 2012. Foster had claimed that the Masterpiece Arms .45 caliber pistol with a high capacity magazine had been stolen a year earlier, but that he had the other five firearms in his possession. However, when agents approached him, Foster admitted that he did not have them and that he had purchased them for an individual from New Jersey in exchange for money.

Foster had purchased a total of six firearms for this individual in approximately a one-month period, including a Hi-Point .380 caliber pistol, a Masterpiece Arms .45 caliber pistol, a European American Arms, Corp. .357 caliber revolver, a Ruger 9mm pistol, a Taurus .40 caliber pistol, and a Masterpiece Arms 9mm pistol. Only one of those firearms has been recovered as of this date.

Marquel Davon Foster faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years to follow the term of imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case. Contact Person: Stacey Haynes at (803) 929-3000 for more information.

The outcome of this case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the severe consequences for those who make false statements in the acquisition of firearms.

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