Willie Roger Davis, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, South Carolina 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A local man will spend the next five years behind bars for breaking federal law by possessing a firearm.

Willie Roger Davis, 35, of Columbia, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. There is no parole in the federal system.

The evidence against Davis revealed that Columbia Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a rental moving truck that was being sought by the owner. Davis immediately exited the driver’s seat and began walking toward police officers. Officers searched Davis and found a .357 revolver in his pants pocket, which he admitted getting from a family member.

Davis has prior convictions for armed robbery, strong arm robbery, and burglary, making him a felon. His possession of the firearm is a serious offense, and he will now face the consequences.

United States District Mary Geiger Lewis handed down the sentence, marking the end of a case that was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). The program is designed to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a comprehensive strategy to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program is based on four core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sanford is prosecuting the case.

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