Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Montell De’Angelo Cousar, 33, of Chester, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison following his guilty plea for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Court evidence revealed that on May 5, 2023, officers from the Rock Hill Police Department responded to reports of a fight at a local restaurant. During the incident, Cousar dropped a loaded 9mm pistol from his clothing while walking past an officer. The firearm was reported stolen. Due to prior convictions, Cousar was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
In 2017, Cousar was convicted of first-degree assault and battery after shooting a victim twice. Additionally, in 2016, he was convicted on multiple counts of distributing crack cocaine.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Cousar to 33 months in prison followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. It is noted that there is no parole in the federal system.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, the department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy under PSN focusing on building community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with the Rock Hill Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.
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