Jury finds man guilty of gun, drug offenses after advertising drugs for sale on social media
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
Image: Department of Justice (D.O.J.)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A Columbia man was found guilty by a jury for possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Booker Henley was found guilty on Wednesday, March, 6.
According to the Department of Justice, Booker Henley, 29, of Columbia, is accused of posting pictures of himself and advertising marijuana for sale.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that on March 10, 2023, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Henley’s vehicle in the northeast area of Columbia near the intersection of Farrow Road and Hardscrabble Road.
Henley left the scene and escaped from the deputy but crashed his vehicle moments later near the 2700 block of Clemson Road.
The crash was reported and multiple RCSD deputies responded to the crash scene believing the vehicle was the same vehicle that had fled earlier, said officials.
Deputies said the vehicle smelled of marijuana and when deputies searched the vehicle they found a loaded firearm with an extended magazine, a bag containing 252 grams of marijuana, and a bill of sale for a separate vehicle in Henley’s name.
Prior to the crash, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), observed Henley’s social media accounts where he posted pictures of himself and advertised marijuana for sale.
Also, law enforcement received a search warrant for his social media account which confirmed that he was using social media to advertise and sell drugs in the days before and after the crash.
His social media messages revealed that he had completed a drug sale in Columbia around 45 minutes before the chase with law enforcement, said officials.
Additionally, they showed that he messaged someone four days after the crash admitting to wrecking his vehicle.
Lastly, officials said Henley’s DNA was found on both the firearm and the extended magazine.
He has prior convictions for pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, breaking into a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen pistol, and failure to stop for blue lights.
Henley faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison, also a fine of up to $750,000, restitution, and five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.
A judge will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
