Yashawnus Leekean Patterson, a 45-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after being found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction followed a federal jury trial held in June 2025.
According to evidence presented at trial, two officers from the Columbia Police Department responded to a downtown hotel where they were asked to remove Patterson, who was no longer authorized to stay there. During the encounter, officers discovered that Patterson was wanted on a bench warrant from the Cayce Police Department and proceeded to arrest him. A search revealed that Patterson had a loaded 9mm pistol tucked into his waistband, an extended 30-round magazine in his backpack, and 74 rounds of 9mm ammunition among his belongings. He admitted to officers that he knew he was not allowed by law to possess a firearm.
Patterson’s criminal record includes felony convictions dating back to 1998 for offenses such as criminal sexual conduct with a minor (second degree), strong-arm robbery, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Patterson to 96 months in prison with an additional three years of court-ordered supervision following release. There is no parole available under the federal system.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through cooperation between law enforcement agencies and community groups. According to the Department of Justice, this strategy emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, prioritizing targeted enforcement actions, and tracking outcomes.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major led the prosecution.
“This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.”
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