Date: 03-04-2014

Case Style: United States of America v. Charles Tarron Carter

Case Number: 3:12-cr-00559-CMC

Judge: Cameron McGowan Currie

Court: United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (Richland County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Stacey D. Haynes

Defendant's Attorney: Allen B Burnside - FPD

Description: United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that CHARLES TARRON CARTER, age 28, of Columbia, South Carolina pled guilty as charged today in federal court. CARTER plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on the afternoon of June 29, 2011, officers with the Columbia Police Department responded to a burglary alarm at a residence on Muller Avenue. Officers found a door to the residence, as well as a door to an apartment in the back of the residence, ajar. While checking for intruders, officers noticed crack cocaine and a Smith & Wesson .45 caliber handgun in plain view, along with items belonging to CARTER, who utilized the rear apartment. CARTER was arrested on state charges and later referred for federal prosecution based upon his extensive prior record.

The investigation revealed that CARTER is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state convictions. CARTER has previously been convicted in state court for burglary 2nd degree of a dwelling (2 separate convictions) and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine (2 separate convictions).

Mr. Nettles stated that CARTER, who stipulated in his plea agreement to being an armed career criminal subject based upon his prior state convictions, faces a statutory mandatory minimum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of five (5) years to follow the term of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

Outcome: Defendant faces a statutory mandatory minimum of fifteen (15) years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of five (5) years to follow the term of imprisonment.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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