Evergreen Reporter

Iric Bolden, 31, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, robbery, and attempted robbery.

Evidence presented in court revealed that over nine days in the fall of 2019, Bolden robbed three Midlands convenience stores while armed with a handgun and attempted to rob another. On September 29, 2019, Bolden entered the 76 gas station at 2538 Two Notch Rd., pretended to ask the clerk a question, then walked behind the counter and pointed a gun at the clerk. He demanded the clerk open the cash register before taking money from it, cigarettes from the shelf, and the clerk’s cell phone. During this incident, a customer tried to leave but was detained by Bolden at gunpoint. After taking these items, Bolden fled the store.

The following day on September 30, 2019, Bolden entered Marathon Corner Stop at 1901 Faraway Dr. with his gun drawn and wearing a mask. However, he was frightened by one of the clerks; his mask dropped from his face and he ran out of the store.

On October 3, 2019, Bolden entered Mini Mart at 900 S. Kilbourne Rd., pretended to browse for items before running behind the counter and pointing a firearm at the clerk. He forced the clerk to lay on the ground and took their cell phone along with money from two cash registers and cigarettes before leaving.

On October 6, 2019, Bolden entered Percival Grocery at 301 Percival Rd., immediately began pulling a firearm from his waistband upon entry. He went behind the counter demanding that the clerk open the cash register. Bolden took money from it along with cigarettes from the shelf and both money and a cell phone from the clerk before fleeing.

Law enforcement recovered surveillance footage for all incidents clearly depicting Bolden’s actions. He was arrested by Richland County Sheriff’s Department officers and confessed to all robberies. Prior to these incidents, Bolden had multiple convictions for shoplifting and was on probation for strong-arm robbery.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Iric Bolden to 288 months imprisonment followed by three years of court-ordered supervision; there is no parole in federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which brings together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. On May 26, 2021, PSN launched a violent crime reduction strategy based on fostering trust in communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations setting strategic enforcement priorities while measuring results.

The case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Richland County Sheriff’s Department City Columbia Police Department Assistant U.S Attorney Lamar J Fyall prosecuting case.

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