Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Marquise Edward Carolina, 32, of Columbia, has been sentenced to over five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence presented showed that on August 11, 2019, the City of Columbia Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen. The caller reported that a man dressed in all black and driving a black vehicle was waving a gun around at a local apartment complex during the day. Officers responded and found Carolina wearing all black in the front passenger seat of a black sedan. A search revealed a loaded pistol in his pants.
Carolina has prior convictions for attempted armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, possession of cocaine, and possession of crack cocaine. These convictions prevent him from carrying a firearm under federal law. Additionally, he has convictions for assault and battery 3rd degree and domestic violence 3rd degree.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Carolina to 63 months imprisonment followed by two years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. On May 26, 2021, the department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN based on fostering trust in communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Columbia Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting it.
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