Sidney Davis, Possessing a Firearm, South Carolina 2024

Columbia, South Carolina – A local man has been sentenced to prison time for possessing a firearm that he knew was stolen, and for being in possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony.

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Sidney Davis, age 46, of Denmark, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and possession of a stolen firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(j).

United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia sentenced Davis to 45 months incarceration followed by 2 years of supervised release and a special assessment of $200.00.

The case against Davis began with a tragic event on September 13, 2014, when a 2-year-old child died as a result of a single gunshot wound to his chest. The child was shot at Davis’ home, where several children had entered through an unlocked back door.

Davis stated he often provided food for the children that live nearby, and that they were frequently in and out of his home. The victim turned on the water faucet, but the other children left the home, leaving the victim behind. Davis was cleaning up the water on the floor when he heard a shot. He ran to the back bedroom and found the victim lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Davis had left a stolen .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol on his bed. He picked up the child and ran next door, where the child lived. Davis believed the pistol was stolen and kept it for protection. He had prior convictions for burglary and arson, which prevented him from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department, and Denmark Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

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