Columbia Man sentenced to federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm

Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)

Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A Columbia man was sentenced to more than 8 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, said the DOJ.

Evidence presented in court showed that on July 6, 2023, following a traffic stop, officers with the Columbia Police Department discovered Leroy Antonio Belin, 31, in possession of a loaded firearm, ammunition, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy, and oxycodone.

Officers said the firearms found in his possession was reported stolen from Charlotte, North Carolina.

As a result of prior felony convictions, Belin was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Belin has previous convictions for attempted murder, discharging firearms into a dwelling, common law robbery, strong arm robbery, and two counts possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony, according to the DOJ.

A U.S. district judge sentenced Belin to 100 months imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.