FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS COLUMBIA MAN FOR STOLEN FIREARM

          Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Michael J. Hampton, age 35, of Columbia, was convicted today following a jury trial in federal court in Columbia. Hampton was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie presided over the trial and will sentence Hampton at a later date.

          Evidence presented in court established that on the evening of July 9, 2007, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Farrow Road and Isabel Street. Hampton, the backseat passenger, bolted from the car and was apprehended by deputies. Deputies recovered a stolen, fully loaded Taurus .38 caliber handgun in Hampton’s pocket.

          Hampton is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition based on his prior state convictions for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, failure to stop for a blue light and siren, assault on an officer while resisting arrest, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

          Mr. Wilkins stated that because Hampton is deemed an armed career criminal, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.00.

          The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

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