Gordon “Rudy” Connell, a 28-year-old resident of Summerville, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Connell’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions related to illegal firearm possession, theft, and violent assaults. Since turning 18, he has faced 53 warrants across 20 incidents and holds 24 convictions. At the time of his latest offense, Connell was on probation.
The investigation revealed that on September 9, 2023, Connell was arrested in Laurens County for stealing a motorcycle. After his arrest, he sold the motorcycle to Timothy Lattimer to raise bond money. Upon release from jail, Connell demanded the return of the motorcycle from Lattimer, who refused. On September 15, Connell stole the motorcycle back from Lattimer’s yard.
Later that night, Lattimer confronted Connell at his residence after seeing him with the motorcycle. Surveillance footage obtained by Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office detectives showed an exchange of threats between the two men. Lattimer left but returned with a firearm. As Lattimer backed away toward the street, Connell drew a gun from his waistband and pointed it at him.
A shootout ensued between the two men. During the exchange of gunfire, one of Lattimer’s shots struck another person in the yard and caused severe injury. Detectives recovered spent shell casings at the scene and later arrested Lattimer, recovering a 9mm pistol. He was convicted and is currently serving time in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Arrest warrants were also issued for Connell following this incident. On September 18, Dorchester County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to apprehend him as he rode a white motorcycle but he fled. The deputies found the abandoned motorcycle with a loaded 9mm handgun attached to its handlebar nearby and located Connell hiding inside a business before arresting him.
“Career criminals, like Connell, propel violence into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Law enforcement is working together at every level to identify, investigate and prosecute offenders who continue to break the law and put others in danger. Thank you to our partners at ATF and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office for seeing this investigation through.”
“Repeat offenders often become bolder criminals and bigger threats to the community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “This case illustrates that fact. ATF is dedicated to working closely with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, and all our law enforcement partners to lessen community violence by taking habitual criminals off our streets. This always increases public safety in our neighborhoods.”
“This case shows how local and federal partners have been working closely together to protect the people of Dorchester County,” said Dorchester County Sheriff Sam Richardson. “This was a dangerous, relentless offender, and our streets are safer with him serving a federal sentence. Connell is well known to police, and his criminal record speaks for itself. We are grateful to ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to justice and accountability on behalf of our citizens.”
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Connell to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release; there is no parole in federal cases.
The investigation used leads generated from ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which helps law enforcement agencies compare ballistic evidence nationwide in order to solve violent crimes involving firearms more efficiently (https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin).
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies at all levels along with community organizations focused on violence prevention.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case while Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Kittrell handled prosecution.
