Gun crime on the rise in South Carolina as Tikita Foster, 31, of Spartanburg, pleaded guilty in federal court in Greenville to a single-count indictment charging him with violating the federal law prohibiting a convicted felon from possessing a firearm and ammunition. United States Attorney Beth Drake confirmed the guilty plea in a statement issued today.
According to court records, Foster’s guilty plea stems from an incident on May 13, 2016, when officers with the Spartanburg Police Department responded to a fight outside a Farley Street residence involving weapons. Upon arrival, Foster and another individual were outside arguing. When asked by police if either had any weapons, Foster stated that he had a weapon. Police then recovered a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol from Foster, which he claimed belonged to his girlfriend but that he had it because someone was trying to fight his cousin.
The Spartanburg Police Department, along with the ATF, investigated the case. Seventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Jennifer Wells, serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case.
Foster has a prior conviction for domestic violence, which prohibits him under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. United States District Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose the sentence after the U.S. Probation prepares a pre-sentence report.
A court hearing to determine Foster’s sentence is pending. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the case is ongoing, and Foster will be sentenced after the pre-sentence report is completed.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of gun crime in South Carolina, with many individuals possessing firearms despite being prohibited from doing so. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has emphasized its commitment to enforcing federal laws and keeping the public safe.
The charges against Foster include felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm and ammunition after sustaining a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Mandatory facts: Defendant’s full name is Tikita Foster, 31, of Spartanburg, South Carolina. The exact criminal charges are felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm and ammunition after sustaining a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. The city and state are Greenville and South Carolina. The exact date is May 13, 2016. The sentence or outcome is pending, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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