Columbia Man Faces 20 Years on Gun, Drug Charges

A 27-year-old Columbia man pleaded guilty to gun and drug charges in federal court Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced.  

John Henry Griffin, 27, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

Griffin faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and $750,000 in fines for both charges. 

Attorneys said on Sept. 22, 2011, officers with the Columbia Police Department arrested Griffin, who had an outstanding warrant at the time, at a Columbia truck stop.

Officers found a .40 caliber handgun and 2 ounces of marijuana in Griffin's possession, attorneys said.

He was arrested on state charges and later released on bond.

On Dec. 30, 2011, attorneys said, Columbia police arrested Griffin after receiving a call about a man threatening people with a gun at an apartment complex. 

Police arrested Griffin at the complex. He was again found to be in possession of a gun — this time a .380 caliber handgun, attorneys said. 

Griffin is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition because he has prior state convictions for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of ecstasy, unlawful carrying of a pistol, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.