Columbia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assaulting a Deputy U.S. Marshal

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Johnny Mercer Vanover, 49, of Columbia was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault on a federal employee.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on June 29, 2023, officers with the South Carolina Department of Corrections transported Vanover to federal court in Columbia to be arraigned on federal charges. When Vanover arrived, a Deputy U.S. Marshal asked him to turn around so his restraints could be removed. Vanover refused to comply, and a deputy placed a hand on Vanover's shoulder to turn him around and access his restraints. Vanover resisted and began cursing and yelling. He also clinched his fists and told one of the deputies, "I'll eat you up." Deputies assisted Vanover to the ground and during the struggle, Vanover bit one deputy on the bicep causing bleeding. The bitten Deputy U.S. Marshal was admitted to the hospital and released with minor injuries.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Vanover to 30 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.

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