COLUMBIA, S.C. — Justin Washington, a 24-year-old resident of Columbia, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of Possession of Stolen Firearms and Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Offense.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a search of Washington’s residence on October 22, 2022, following his involvement in multiple car break-ins throughout Richland County. The search yielded four firearms, ammunition for 9mm and 300 blackout, multiple gun magazines, over $4,300 in cash, more than 220 grams of marijuana, a window punch, and tools used for breaking into vehicles.
Upon receiving his Miranda rights, Washington confessed to owning the items retrieved by law enforcement and acknowledged stealing the firearms. He also disclosed to officers that he typically sold firearms he took from vehicles.
At the time of the incident, Washington was on parole for a previous felony conviction of Breaking into a Motor Vehicle, which legally barred him from possessing firearms and ammunition.
United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie handed down the sentence, which includes a three-year term of court-ordered supervision following imprisonment. The federal system does not offer parole.