LONGS, SC (WBTW) – A Longs man will serve two years in jail for carrying an illegal gun and drugs, according to a press release from United States Attorney Beth Drake.
The release states that Quavon Melik Bellamy, 22, of Longs, was sentenced in federal court in Florence Monday morning for possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The judge sentenced Bellamy to 24 months in federal prison with three years of supervised release to follow. Prosecutors say on February 14, 2017, law enforcement responded to a call about a man with a gun. The 911 caller provided officers with Bellamy’s name and a vehicle tag number. Officers ran the tag and identified the address on the vehicle’s registration. Officers responded to the address and located the vehicle in the front yard.
When the officers arrived at the home, Bellamy came outside and told police that he ran into the victim and they had “words,” but he denied possessing or presenting a firearm. Officers confirmed the vehicle was registered to Bellamy and asked about guns in the car. Bellamy denied having firearms in the vehicle and allowed officers to search the car.
Prosecutors say as soon as the car door was opened, the officer immediately smelled marijuana. Officers searched the vehicle and located a black purse on the back seat that contained two glass jars of marijuana and a scale. Officers also found a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun on the rear floorboard, fully loaded with fifteen rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber.
After being advised of his rights and agreeing to speak with law enforcement, Bellamy initially claimed he did not know anything about the firearm, only later to admit that it was his and that he did use it to threaten the victim. After running the firearm’s serial number through dispatch, officers confirmed that the firearm was stolen.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.
