Kendolius Cortez Jones, 32, of West Columbia, was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

From April to June 2023, evidence was presented to the court that confirmed Jones sold 13 firearms to undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to a release from the Department of Justice, “The firearms sold consisted of stolen firearms and firearms capable of accepting large capacity magazines.”

Due to prior felony convictions, Jones was prohibited from obtaining and possessing a weapon or firearm. His prior felony convictions include conspiracy, assault and battery, failure to stop for a blue light, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, forgery, driving under suspension, distribution of crack cocaine and multiple other drug-related offenses.

Jones was sentenced to 107 months in federal imprisonment by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon. After his release, Jones will serve a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.

He is not eligible for parole as there is no parole in the federal system.

This case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program brings together all levels of law enforcement and their communities to reduce crime and gun violence making 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,” according to the release.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; the West Columbia Police Department; the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.