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Columbia, South Carolina—- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cory Thomas Sargent, age 23, of Barnwell, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Brandishing a Weapon During a Crime of Violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, sentenced Sargent to 7 years.
Evidence established that on January 20, 2016, Sargent walked into the lobby of the Allendale Post Office and asked for a price list for money orders. Upon being advised of the prices, Sargent left the post office only to return a few minutes later armed with a firearm. Sargent pointed the firearm at the postmaster and demanded all the money orders. Sargent subsequently received 36 blank postal money orders from the postmaster and fled on foot. Sargent was indicted on April 5, 2016 and entered a guilty plea on July 6, 2016.
“This conviction is the result of a relatively new partnership between the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the Justice Department,” said Solicitor Duffie Stone. “Assistant Solicitor Carra Henderson works full time at the United States Attorney’s Office focusing on prosecuting career criminals that have committed crimes in our five counties. The partnership is working very well due to the support we are receiving from federal, state and local law enforcement.”
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Allendale Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Barnwell Police Department, Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Probation, Pardon and Parole Services.
