United States of America v. Joshua Nathaniel Strader

Charleston, South Carolina criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Weapon and Drug Violations.

Charleston Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Weapon and Drug Violations

Joshua Nathaniel Strader, 41, of Charleston, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.



Evidence presented to the court showed that Strader was released from federal prison for a firearm and controlled substances violation in November 2019. Five months later, on April 25, 2020, officers with the North Charleston Police Department attempted to stop Strader's vehicle based on a stolen vehicle investigation. Strader led police on a dangerous and high-speed chase through residential areas, crashed into a civilian vehicle, and ultimately lost control and ended up in a ditch. Strader ran from the vehicle, but officers quickly caught and arrested him. Officers searched Strader and found a .9mm pistol, 76.9 grams of crack cocaine, and 13 grams of powder cocaine in his pockets. Strader was on federal supervision at the time of this arrest. Strader has multiple felony convictions on his record prohibiting him from possessing a firearm. This was his second conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon.



United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Strader to 71 months imprisonment to be followed by four years of court ordered supervision for the April 2020 incident, and 36 months imprisonment for the federal supervised release violation. These sentences will run consecutively resulting in a total of 107 months imprisonment.



This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting the case.

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 71 months imprisonment to be followed by four years of court ordered supervision for the April 2020 incident, and 36 months' imprisonment for the federal supervised release violation. These sentences will run consecutively resulting in a total of 107 months' imprisonment.