SC man sentenced to nearly 9 years on weapons charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Lexington County man has been sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for possessing a gun involved in the shooting death of a child.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles says Warren McDaniel of Gaston was sentenced Monday to 105 months in federal prison.

McDaniel pleaded guilty in October to two counts of being a felon in possession of guns and ammunition. Officials say the convicted felon admitted that he had bought a rifle for protection because he sold marijuana.

During a birthday party in April, authorities said a boy was given access to the trunk of McDaniel’s car to get a toy. The child found a loaded rifle with a 30-round, high-capacity magazine and pulled the trigger.

Seven-year-old Juliet Lynch was killed and a 5-year-old was hurt.