Man Suspected of Kidnapping SC Teenager Will Appeal Ammo Conviction
Last week, Freddie Grant, the main suspect in the kidnapping of Gabrielle Swainson in August 2012, was convicted on federal criminal charges for owning ammunition as a convicted felon. Now, Grant will appeal the 17-year sentence.
On Monday, April 22nd, court documents were filed by Grant’s attorney asking the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the sentence.
Reportedly, when investigators searched Grant’s house for evidence related to Gabbiee Swainson’s kidnapping, they found shotgun shells and .38 caliber bullets in his home, and arrested him on federal criminal charges, because Grant was a repeat offender and should not have had ammunition in his home.
US District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie said that she gave Grant a longer sentence than anticipated, because he has a long history of serious criminal behavior. According to reports, he has committed armed crimes since he was 20 years old. While in the army and stationed in Korea, he was convicted of assault with grievous bodily harm, as well as kidnapping. He was also convicted of possession with intent to distribute in South Carolina.
In addition to the kidnapping charges, Grant could also face perjury charges for pressuring his daughter, Dominique Grant, into lying for him in court. So far, Dominique has not been charged or arrested for perjury, although phone conversations recorded between the two from the Lexington jail point to perjury.
Investigation Into Swainson’s Kidnapping
Grant also awaits trial for the kidnapping of Gabbiee Swainson. According to authorities, Grant had dated the teenager’s mother, making him a prime suspect in the kidnapping case. When officers searched his home, they found duct tape with Swainson’s blood on his property, as well as some of her hair.
Sheriff Lott has stated repeatedly that he believes Grant took Gabrielle Swainson from her home last August. The physical evidence currently links Grant to the crime. Lott also stated that obtaining the writ for transport was one more step in the on-going investigation into Gabrielle Swainson’s kidnapping. There is also a continuing search for her, as she has not yet been found.
The girl was last officially seen in her home in Columbia on August 18th, at about 3:30 AM.
If you have any information about Gabrielle Swainson, contact Crimestoppers immediately at Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. To help continue the search, you can get in on the Twitter conversation with Twitter hashtag #FindGabbiee .
If Grant is found guilty, the kidnapping charge could send him to federal prison for life.
The Strom Law Firm Prosecutes Criminals On Behalf of Kidnapping Victims
If you or a loved one are the victims of a serious crime, including kidnapping, it is important that you take the person who hurt you to court – whether it is a criminal trial, orpersonal injury lawsuit. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm have been based in Columbia, SC for 16 years, and are also licensed to practice in Georgia and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so do not hesitate to contact us for help. 803.252.4800.
