The rules are different now

Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy (right) and U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins announce the results of the "Summer of Silence" crackdown on gun crimes in Spartanburg and the start of a new law enforcement operation in Cherokee County dubbed "Gone for the Holidays." Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy is getting quite the flare for operation code names.

A recently completed operation in Spartanburg County — which he dubbed "Summer of Silence" — aimed to quiet the sound of crime-related gunfire through a close collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office and other federal authorities by sending those charged with gun-related crimes before the federal court system, where penalties are often greater than South Carolina law can dish out.

Now, Gowdy and U.S. Attorney Walter Wilkins are putting Cherokee County's gun-toting criminals on notice that the same type of operation has been put into motion here.

And the name Gowdy came up with — "Gone for the Holidays" — means officials plan to stop pistol-packing criminals from enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving and unwrapping presents on Christmas morning by putting them behind bars.

While the newest operation was just announced Thursday by Gowdy and Wilkins, Gowdy said it's already been underway.

"I've already been to Gaffney to meet with Cherokee County Sheriff Bill Blanton, Gaffney Police Chief John O'Donald and the South Carolina Highway Patrol," he said. "We've already started going through pending gun cases that are good cases to look at and, of course, we will look at every case that comes through within the next three months."

O'Donald confirmed he has met with agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to go over likely candidates from Gaffney for federal prosecution.

Those who have already have been charged with gunrelated crimes, or committing crimes while in possession of a gun, aren't escaping the possible ramifications of the joint program. Gowdy said they'll likely be looking at cases made as long as six months ago to see if they meet the qualifications for federal prosecution.

O'Donald rattled off a list of crimes from the past several months in which guns were involved, from a home invasion on Providence Road to the more recent robberies of two breakfast restaurants.

"We hope to (send a strong message) and emphasize we're trying to get guns off the street before a crime is committed," O'Donald said.

Federal gun laws often involve mandatory sentences and cases are often disposed of quickly. It's against federal law for a wide group of people to possess guns or ammunition, including convicted felons, drug dealers, those addicted to drugs, those convicted of domestic violence, those who are subject to a restraining order, fugitives from justice and illegal aliens.

Spartanburg's three-month "Summer of Silence" resulted in more than 40 people being sent before the federal court. Seven have already been sentenced while 18 more have pleaded guilty and are currently awaiting sentencing.

"I thought it was tremendous," Gowdy said of the "Summer of Silence" operation. Those who have already been sentenced will be locked away for at least 496 months combined, he said.

While he can't say the operation in Spartanburg directly resulted in less crime, Gowdy said he and other law enforcement officials did notice, if only anecdotally, "It's been a relatively quiet summer in Spartanburg."

He added, "It can't hurt for folks to know, if you're not supposed to have a gun, you better not have one."

Cherokee County is not immune to the problems of larger areas.

"We have a smaller county but we have similar kinds of crimes," said Sheriff Bill Blanton. "I look forward to the opportunity to see the program work in Cherokee County."

Gowdy gave much thanks to U.S. Attorneys Walter Wilkins' office and the ATF for the success of the anti-gun crime program in Spartanburg, as well as their commitment to conducting it in Cherokee County as well.