Midlands man sentenced to prison for firearm charge
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A Columbia man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison by a judge after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on Aug. 19, 2020, Paul James, III, 35, of Columbia, shot a man outside of a Percival Road gas station after the man and James’ girlfriend had an argument, said the Justice Department.
After reviewing video from the area, Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigators obtained a search warrant for James’ girlfriend’s address.
During a search of the girlfriend’s home, investigators said a 9mm handgun was found inside of a child’s toy box which James claimed ownership of.
James was not allowed to have a gun and ammunition based on previous convictions in 2008 for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and three convictions in 2018 for distributing heroin and crack cocaine.
He was also convicted in 2008 and 2016 for unlawfully carrying a pistol and was on probation at the time of the shooting.
A judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision.
