Antwon Rashad Brown, a 30-year-old resident of Charleston, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Brown pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Court evidence revealed that Brown was involved in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana over several years. Between May 2021 and July 2022, he faced four arrests related to narcotics and firearms violations.
On July 22, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted a search at Brown's residence. They discovered more than 1.5 kilograms of marijuana, extended firearm magazines, ammunition, digital scales, a money counter, over $1,000 in cash, along with loaded AR-15 style and 9mm pistols.
Brown's prior felony convictions prohibited him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition. These convictions included multiple violent incidents involving firearms.
United States District Judge David C. Norton imposed the sentence of ten years imprisonment on Brown. This will be followed by four years of court-ordered supervision.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Charleston Police Department and Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is handling the prosecution.