RICHMOND HILL, S.C. – In a bold move to crack down on gun violence, the Department of Justice has handed down a tough sentence to a North Charleston man for violating federal firearm laws.
Da’Shawn Marquis Richards, 25, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. The harsh sentence was handed down after Richards pleaded guilty to the charge. This comes on the heels of a chaotic string of events that left law enforcement officials scrambling to keep the community safe.
According to evidence presented in court, Richards was wanted for murder and attempted murder charges in Charleston County back in November 2021. When he was apprehended, authorities discovered a loaded handgun with an extended magazine in his vehicle. But that was just the beginning. When Richards was out on bond for those charges, he was pulled over again by law enforcement, and guess what? They found another loaded handgun in his car.
The discovery of the second firearm was a game-changer, and it sealed the deal for Richards. United States District Judge David C. Norton wasn’t having it, and he handed down the maximum sentence for the applicable sentencing guideline range. Richards will be serving 46 months in federal prison followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. It’s a tough but fair sentence, considering the severity of the crime.
The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities across the country. The PSN program brings together law enforcement and community leaders to foster trust and prevent violence from occurring in the first place.
The investigation into Richards’ crimes was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Columbia Field Office, and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting the case, and he’s making sure that Richards faces consequences for his actions. With this sentence, the community can rest a little easier knowing that those who break the law will be held accountable.
The Department of Justice is committed to keeping our communities safe, and this sentence is a testament to that commitment. It’s a reminder that gun violence will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face the full force of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- Neko Andre Tisdale Gets 10 Years for Felon Firearm Possession · South Carolina
- Jamal Antwan Lewis Gets 262 Months for Firearm Possession · South Carolina
- Fred Deshawn Edwards: Felon Caught with Firearm in Spartanburg · South Carolina
- Greenville Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession · South Carolina
- Greenville Felon Garrett Admits to Illegal Gun Possession · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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