SEOBLOGREEN - The path to change is difficult. For Donovan Jackson, 32, that path just hit a dead end, a 33-month-long dead end. He is now headed to federal prison. The mistake? Bringing a gun to a plasma donation center. A simple, yet profound mistake for a man already warned.
Jackson's story is a stark reminder. He was a felon. He was on probation. Federal law clearly prohibited him from possessing any firearm. Yet, on May 18, 2023, he walked into a donation center on Decker Boulevard in Columbia. He was there to sell his plasma. He had a gun, a Glock, tucked into the front pocket of his sweatshirt.
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The employees saw it. They did not hesitate. They called 911.
The Swift Hand of Justice
Richland County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived quickly. They detained Jackson. They seized the firearm. The whole incident was over in minutes, but the consequences will last years.
Jackson had been convicted before. His prior felony was for furnishing contraband to an inmate. That conviction stripped him of his right to own a gun. Being caught with that Glock violated his probation. It violated federal law. This was not a small slip. It was a serious, punishable offense.
A Broken Promise: The Ceasefire Program
There is a tragic layer to this story. A year before his arrest, Jackson had a chance. He participated in the Columbia Police Department's Ceasefire Program.
The program is for prior offenders. It identifies those at high risk of reoffending with firearms. Its goal is simple: offer a way out. It provides community resources. Employment services. Substance abuse treatment. A fresh start.
Law enforcement was clear during the program. Reoffend, and you will face the maximum state and federal prosecution. It was a final warning. A lifeline, really. Jackson took the program. He heard the warning. He still chose to carry the gun. The lifeline was cut.
The Weight of the Sentence
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon passed the sentence. It was a heavy one. Thirty-three months of imprisonment. That is nearly three years. Following his release, he will also face a two-year term of court-ordered supervision.
Federal prison means no parole. Jackson will serve his entire sentence. Every day of the 33 months. The price for his choice is high.
The case was a joint effort. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked alongside the Richland County Sheriff's Department. The message from the court and law enforcement is unmistakable. Felons cannot possess firearms. Period.
Protecting Community Facilities
The incident on Decker Boulevard highlights a crucial public safety concern. Plasma donation centers are vital. They collect life-saving blood components. They must be safe spaces for staff and donors.
Bringing a weapon into such a facility introduces risk. It creates fear. It disrupts a critical public health service. The swift action of the employees and deputies prevented a potential crisis. Their vigilance ensured the safety of others.
Jackson's attempt to earn money by donating plasma, while armed, ended his freedom. A small firearm in a sweatshirt pocket led to a long prison sentence. It serves as a severe warning to others. The system offers second chances, but it will enforce the rules when those chances are ignored.
Source: justice.gov
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