Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
Date: 02-08-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. Wesley Dallas Ayers
Case Number: 8:18-cr-00389-HMH
Judge: Henry M. Herlong
Court: United States District Court for the District of South Carolina (Greenville County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: D. Josev Brewer
Defendant's Attorney: Ryan L Beasley
Description:
MoreLaw Helps People Find Lawyers
Greenville, SC - Anderson Man Sentenced to Over 30 Years in Federal Prison for Using Weapons of Mass Destruction
Wesley Dallas Ayers, 27, of Anderson, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for using, attempting to use, and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction; possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime; and use of an explosive device during the commission of a felony. United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville sentenced Ayers to 361 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ayers had previously admitted that he constructed, and then placed, three explosive devices in various parts of Anderson County between January 24, 2018, and February 24, 2018. A device placed by Ayers on January 30, 2018, at the intersection of Travis and Martin Roads in Anderson County, detonated and injured one individual. The other two devices, which Ayers also placed in or near area roadways, were intercepted and rendered safe by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
In that same timeframe, Ayers placed three hoax devices, which resembled explosives but did not contain any blasting agent. With some of those devices, the defendant left threatening messages that more, and more powerful, devices were to come.
Ayers was arrested after an exhaustive month-long investigation, with the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and numerous law enforcement agencies from around the State of South Carolina. DNA and other forensic evidence associated Ayers with the various devices. Additionally, a search of his property produced numerous items consistent with the manufacture of the same.
Judge Herlong found that the dangerous and lethal nature of the devices, weaponized with shrapnel, concealed in household items, and publicly placed in or near roadways justified the substantial sentence. He emphasized the length of Ayers’ campaign against the citizens of Anderson County for more than a month’s time and that only by the efforts of law enforcement and sheer good fortune were more individuals not seriously harmed or killed.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with numerous other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Charge:
18:2332a Use, attempt to use, and threaten to use weapons of mass destruction, specifically, destructive devices, against a person and property within the U.S., affecting interstate and foreign commerce (March 2018)
(1s)
18:924(c)(1)(A)(iii) and 924(c)(3)(A) Possess firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and discharge the firearm during the commission of the offense (1/30/18)
(2s)
18:844(g)(1)&(2) Used explosive materials to commit a felony and carried an explosive during the commission of a felony (2/15/18)
(3s)
Outcome: Defendant to be imprisoned for a total term of 361 months, consisting of 121 months as to count 1s and 120 months as to each of counts 2s and 3s to be served consecutively (defendant is in custody, court recommends substance abuse treatment while incarcerated) followed by five years supervised release as to each of counts 1s, 2s, and 3s to be served concurrently with conditions set out; $300.00 special assessment due immediately
02/05/2019 102 Minute Entry for proceedings before Honorable Henry M Herlong, Jr: Sentencing held as to Wesley Dallas Ayers. Defendant in custody with Counsel. See Witness and Exhibit list. Court Reporter Debra Bull. (sfla) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
02/05/2019 103 EXHIBIT LIST (sfla) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
02/05/2019 104 JUDGMENT as to Wesley Dallas Ayers (1), Counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-12 DISMISSED; Counts 1s, 2s, and 3s - defendant to be imprisoned for a total term of 361 months, consisting of 121 months as to count 1s and 120 months as to each of counts 2s and 3s to be served consecutively (defendant is in custody, court recommends substance abuse treatment while incarcerated) followed by five years supervised release as to each of counts 1s, 2s, and 3s to be served concurrently with conditions set out; $300.00 special assessment due immediately. Signed by Honorable Henry M Herlong, Jr on 2/5/19.(sfla) (Entered: 02/05/2019)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: