Richland County Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm (DOJ)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Sherman Devine Boone, 29, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm after a conviction for criminal domestic violence.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Richland County deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a home in Columbia. Deputies arrived to find Boone, who matched the description of the alleged shooter, attempting to leave the location with a child, and the child's mother telling him to give her the child. The deputies could see a firearm in Boone's waistband. Boone charged towards the deputies while holding the child, repeatedly telling deputies to "go ahead and shoot me" and "just kill me." Boone eventually gave the child to the child's mother and surrendered to law enforcement. The mother told investigators that she and Boone got into an argument, during which he pushed her and grabbed her by the throat. She was able to get Boone out of the house, at which time he pulled out the firearm and fired multiple rounds in the air while threatening her.

Boone had previously been convicted of use of a vehicle without permission, grand larceny, common law robbery, strong arm robbery, assault and battery, and criminal domestic violence. He, therefore, could not possess a firearm or ammunition.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Boone to 57 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision on both counts, to be served concurrently. 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 the 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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