A federal jury in Columbia has found Yashawnus Leekean Patterson, 44, guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction follows a two-day trial.
During the trial, evidence included testimony and body-worn camera footage from Columbia Police Department officers. They responded to a downtown hotel to remove Patterson, who was no longer staying there. Officers discovered he was wanted on a bench warrant from the Cayce Police Department and arrested him. A search revealed a loaded 9mm pistol in his waistband, an extended magazine in his backpack, and 74 rounds of ammunition among his belongings. Patterson admitted he knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm.
Patterson’s criminal history includes felony convictions dating back to 1998 for crimes such as criminal sexual conduct with a minor, strong-arm robbery, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the trial. She will sentence Patterson after reviewing a report from the U.S. Probation Office. Patterson could face up to 15 years in federal prison, along with fines up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervised release.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the department enhanced PSN’s strategy focusing on trust-building within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and measuring outcomes.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Columbia Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Sanford and Elizabeth Major are handling prosecution duties.
