Sherman Devine Boone, a 29-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. Boone was also convicted of possessing a firearm after a prior conviction for criminal domestic violence.
According to evidence presented during the investigation, deputies from Richland County responded to reports of gunshots at a home in Columbia. Upon arrival, they found Boone attempting to leave the scene with a child. The child’s mother demanded that Boone hand over the child. Deputies observed a firearm in Boone’s waistband. During the encounter, Boone charged toward law enforcement while holding the child and repeatedly told deputies to “go ahead and shoot me” and “just kill me.” He eventually handed the child to its mother and surrendered.
Investigators learned from the child’s mother that she and Boone had argued. During this argument, Boone allegedly pushed her and grabbed her by the throat. After being forced out of the house, he fired several rounds into the air while threatening her.
Boone has previous convictions for use of a vehicle without permission, grand larceny, common law robbery, strong arm robbery, assault and battery, as well as criminal domestic violence. As a result of these convictions, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Boone to 57 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release on both counts. The sentences will run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates efforts among law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence nationwide. The Department launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021 with core principles including building trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and tracking outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting.
