FLORENCE -- An Effingham man accused of killing an off-duty Florence Police officer last month now faces federal gun charges in connection with his death, according to a press release issued Monday by U.S. Attorney’s office.
Brady Alan Johnson,23, was arrested in connection with the Feb. 19 death of 29-year-old Florence Police Officer Matthew H. Clayton.
Johnson is charged in a federal compliant with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in the case, according to the release.
Federal authorities say Johnson shot Clayton with a Mossberg shotgun at his home in the Womack Gardens subdivision off Alligator Road.
Johnson also faces the state charges of voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm to commit a violent crime, 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said.
The case will be handled by the 15th Circuit Solicitor J. Greg Hembree, Clements said.
Hembree’s office handles cases in Horry and Georgetown counties, but Clements said he asked that office to handle the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
“We’re too close to it. He was my police officer, he was our police officer,” Clements said. “My deputy solicitor knew (Clayton) his whole life since he was a little boy. Another one of my assistants is related to him by marriage. It’s just too close to home.”
A magistrate judge set a $30,000 bond for the voluntary manslaughter charge, but bond was denied for the second charge.
If convicted of the federal crime, Johnson faces up to 10 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Nunn said 29-year-old Clayton, a three-year veteran with the Florence Police Department, was pronounced dead at his home.
Florence County Coroner Bubba Matthews said the autopsy revealed Clayton died after he was shot in the back.
Florence investigators allege the firearm discharged while Johnson was pointing it at Clayton, who was off duty at the time of the shooting.
The circumstances around the shooting remain unclear.
Johnson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was convicted of two counts of forgery, less than $5,000, and one count of financial transaction card theft.
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The case is being investigated by the Florence County Sheriff’s office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rose Mary Parham is prosecuting the federal case.
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