Kamari Johnson, a 26-year-old resident of Orangeburg, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm. Johnson will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. Federal law does not allow parole.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety conducted an investigation into Johnson’s activities. Authorities suspected that Johnson was involved in selling cocaine locally. On May 13, 2024, law enforcement arranged for a confidential informant to purchase both a firearm and a small quantity of cocaine from Johnson. During this operation, Johnson agreed to the sale and provided both items to the informant.
Johnson was legally barred from possessing firearms due to previous convictions for burglary and for pointing and presenting a firearm.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the sentencing.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering cooperation between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations aimed at preventing violence, setting targeted enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes. In May 2021, the Department announced an updated strategy for PSN with these core principles.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.
“###”
