Freddie Grant, the man believed to be connected to the disappearance of a Midlands teen, was found guilty on federal ammunition charges Tuesday.
/ LCDC
COLUMBIA (WACH / AP) - Freddie Grant, the man believed to be connected to the disappearance of a Midlands teen, was found guilty on a federal ammunition charge Tuesday.
A federal jury found 53-year-old Freddie Grant guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition after deliberating for just over two hours Tuesday morning.
The charge against Freddie Grant is not directly related to the disappearance of Gabbiee Swainson, but it came to light as part of the investigation.
Police found bullets at Grant's home during their search for Gabbiee Swainson. The girl was 15 when her mother reported her missing from their home early on the morning of Aug. 18. Authorities say Grant had dated the girl's mother and that Gabbiee's blood was found on duct tape near Grant's property.
Swainson's father Alvin Thompson, said Grant deserves to be behind bars.
"There is only one person that knows where she is at," Thompson said. "And it is the guy who just got convicted. But it still does not bring back my daughter to me. I feel for Grant's family, but I feel for my daughter cause I don't know where she is."
Grant's criminal record makes it against the law for him to have guns or bullets. Grant's daughter testified during his trial this week the bullets belonged to her. But Grant's Attorney John Delgado said that turned out to go against him.
"The question is how long was that ammunition in the house? Did Grant know it was there? Did he move it? All those are questions that nobody had the answer to. And the jury resolved that against us."
Because of Grant’s criminal history, it is unlawful for him to posses any ammunition or weapons. His criminal history will also be a factor in sentencing. While the normal penatly for this charge is a maximum of 10 years in prison, Grant could receive between 15 years and life in jail because he is deemed an armed career criminal by the court.
Grant will be sentenced in April 18 at 2 p.m.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH