Chester Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Montell De'Angelo Cousar, 33, of Chester, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the Court showed that on May 5, 2023, the Rock Hill Police Department officers responded to reports of a fight at a local restaurant. As officers were clearing the restaurant parking lot, Cousar dropped a loaded 9mm pistol from his clothing as he walked past an RHPD officer. The pistol was reported stolen. Cousar was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition based on his prior convictions. In 2017, Cousar was convicted of assault and battery, first degree. In that case, Cousar shot the victim twice. In 2016, he was convicted for multiple counts of distributing crack cocaine.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Cousar to 33 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rock Hill Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

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