West Columbia Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Gun, Drugs (DOJ)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Cedrick Exzavius Reese, 45, of West Columbia, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possession of crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that a Richland County deputy observed a car speeding and running a stop sign. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, driven by Reese. After failing to provide a driver's license, Reese gave consent to the deputy to search him. The deputy located suspected methamphetamine in a clear plastic bag in his waistband. He stated the narcotics were for "personal use." When the deputy searched the vehicle, he found a gun and ammunition in the car, along with crack cocaine and fentanyl.

Reese had prior convictions for multiple drug offenses which prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Reese to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision on each count, to run concurrently. Reese must also pay a $5,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

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