Columbia Man Sentenced to 16 years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery with a Machine Gun

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Tah'Kel Ar'Key Wilson, 21, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for robbing a federal informant at gunpoint during a firearms and narcotics investigation.

Evidence presented in court revealed that on Aug.9, 2024, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives utilized a confidential informant to coordinate the purchase of a firearm and cocaine from an identified target. When the victim arrived at the agreed-upon location, Wilson approached the victim's vehicle, introduced himself, and directed the victim to drive to a secluded area to pick up additional items.

There, Wilson removed a firearm equipped with a Glock switch from his waistband, pointed it at the victim, and threatened to "switch" the informant if he/she did not comply. Wilson then stole approximately $3,400 in documented funds and two cell phones from the victim before fleeing on foot.

ATF agents who had been stationed approximately 50 yards away conducting surveillance immediately responded. Wilson was observed fleeing toward a wooded area and was apprehended a short time later after agents located him hiding inside a backyard shed. Investigators recovered the loaded firearm equipped with the machine-gun conversion device, the stolen funds, and both cell phones. The robbery was captured on audio and video recording.

At the time of the offense, Wilson was on state bond for murder and was wearing a GPS monitoring device.

United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Wilson to 192 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff's Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.

###