SC man used machine gun to rob informant as federal agents watched, official says

A South Carolina man was sentenced to years in federal prison after an informant under surveillance was robbed while trying to purchase a gun, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Tah’Kel Ar’Key Wilson, a 21-year-old from Columbia, was sentenced to 16 years behind bars for using a machine gun during a robbery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wednesday in a news release.

On Aug. 9, 2024, ATF agents used a confidential informant to set up the purchase of a firearm and cocaine from an identified target, according to the release. When the informant — called a victim — arrived, Wilson approached the victim’s vehicle and introduced himself then directed the victim to drive to a secluded area to pick up additional items, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

That’s when Wilson pulled a gun equipped with a Glock switch from his waistband, pointed it at the victim and threatened to “switch” the informant if the victim didn’t comply, according to the release. Wilson then stole about $3,400 in documented funds and two cellphones from the victim before leaving on foot, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

ATF agents, who were stationed about 50 yards away conducting surveillance, immediately responded, according to the release. Wilson ran toward a wooded area in an attempt to escape but was apprehended a short time later hiding inside a backyard shed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Investigators recovered the loaded firearm equipped with the machine‑gun conversion device, the stolen funds and both cellphones, according to the release.

The robbery was captured on audio and video recording, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

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At the time of the robbery, Wilson was on bond from a South Carolina arrest where he was charged with murder and was wearing a GPS monitoring device, according to the release. That state charge is pending, Richland County court records show.

U.S. District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Wilson to 192 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. There is no parole in the federal system.

In addition to the ATF, the case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

State charges for armed robbery, possession of a weapon during violent crime and two additional weapons charged are pending, court records show.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case. Public defender Jennifer Davis was listed as Wilson’s attorney for the state crimes, according to court records.