A Sumter County convicted felon has pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearms offenses.
The United States Attorney’s Office says Thomas Franklin Dinkins, Jr., 25, pleaded guilty to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On Dec. 16, 2014 the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says deputies pulled Dinkins over for an expired tag, and a narcotics canine alerted on the car. Deputies said they performed a search and found a locked, portable safe in the trunk and the key to the safe in Dinkins’s jacket.
The Sheriff’s Office said the deputies opened the safe and found methamphetamine, two digital scales, plastic baggies, and a loaded .22 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number, and a backpack containing additional plastic bags and ammunition.
Investigators said Dinkins later admitted that the firearm was “probably stolen” and that he had it to protect himself while distributing drugs.
Dinkins faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the drug offense and a consecutive sentence of at least 5 years, up to life, for the firearms offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.