Terry Leslie Washington, a 46-year-old resident of West Columbia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. This sentence follows his guilty plea for the illegal possession of a firearm as a felon.
The incident leading to Washington's arrest began with a traffic stop by a Columbia Police Officer. The officer stopped the vehicle due to an absent tag light and discovered that Washington, the sole occupant, did not possess a valid driver's license. During the stop, Washington disclosed having both a gun and marijuana in the car. A subsequent search revealed a loaded 9mm pistol, three plastic pouches of marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms.
Washington's legal history includes convictions for strong-armed robbery and armed robbery offenses, which legally barred him from possessing firearms.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon imposed the 180-month sentence followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. It is noted that there is no parole in the federal system.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program was strengthened on May 26, 2021, with new strategies focusing on community trust, supporting preventive organizations, strategic enforcement priorities, and result measurement.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives alongside the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is handling prosecution duties for this case.