Terrance Demetrius Bass, 34, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana.
According to information from the investigation, on December 16, 2022, officers from the Columbia Police Department approached Bass while he was in a vehicle. This followed reports from concerned citizens about suspected drug sales from the vehicle. Officers detected the odor of marijuana and conducted a probable cause search. During the search, they found a bag containing 295 pills that tested positive for methamphetamine, along with 91 grams of marijuana packaged for distribution. A firearm was located in the glove compartment and a scale was discovered in the center console. Bass admitted ownership of both the firearm and marijuana.
Bass has previous convictions for conspiracy to commit burglary and armed robbery, assault and battery, as well as domestic violence. These prior offenses make it illegal under federal law for him to possess a firearm.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Bass to 80 months imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”
The City of Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting.
