Demondre Laquari Wright, 26, of Orangeburg, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florence on Mar. 25 for robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of ammunition.
The charges stem from an undercover operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation earlier in March. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Wright arranged to sell three firearms—including one with a machine gun conversion device—to an FBI confidential source during the operation set up in St. George. The FBI provided $4,000 to the source for purchasing the firearms.
During the transaction inside the source’s vehicle, Wright reportedly allowed examination of one loaded gun he brought with him. The confidential source emptied its magazine but Wright then reloaded it and pointed it at the source’s chest and head while demanding all the money. The source complied and handed over $4,000 in FBI buy money before Wright exited to his own car.
FBI agents approached with lights and sirens activated as Wright attempted to flee but was apprehended after a brief chase. The indictment alleges that on March 3, 2026, Wright robbed the confidential source using a firearm and unlawfully possessed ammunition despite being prohibited due to prior felony convictions for assault and battery first degree as well as discharging firearms into a dwelling.
Wright faces at least seven years’ imprisonment if convicted and could receive up to life in prison. He is currently detained pending further legal proceedings.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Hamlett and Cole Shannon are prosecuting this case following an investigation by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Authorities remind that all charges are accusations at this stage; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
