Perry JaQuan Jackson, a 26-year-old resident of Charleston, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The court was presented with evidence that on March 3, 2022, Jackson was wanted on state bench warrants for weapons and narcotics violations. Law enforcement apprehended him at Northwoods Mall in North Charleston. Upon arrest, Jackson informed officers about a gun under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. A search revealed not only this weapon but also another gun in the glovebox, along with marijuana and cash. DNA testing confirmed Jackson's DNA on the gun found under the driver's seat. His criminal record includes multiple felony convictions and prior state weapon offenses.
United States District Judge David C. Norton handed down the sentence of seven years imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. The federal system does not offer parole.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by collaborating with law enforcement and communities to enhance safety. The Department launched a strategy on May 26, 2021, to bolster PSN with principles such as building community trust, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation involved the FBI Columbia Field Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is handling prosecution.