Cayce man and Columbia man sentenced to 4 years and 1 day in federal prison for interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder

Columbia, SC 06/14/2025 - Brandon Jemar Pickett, 38, of Cayce and Luis Rosario, 29, of Columbia, have been sentenced to four years and one year and one day, respectively, in federal prison for interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on May 30, 2020, organizers held a peaceful protest at the South Carolina State House to protest the death of George Floyd. After the protest, some individuals continued protesting at the City of Columbia Police Department. However, the protest turned into a violent riot when multiple individuals began throwing objects at police officers, destroying property, and setting police cars on fire.

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During the riot, Brandon Pickett picked up a large rock and threw it at a police officer causing the officer to suffer a chipped tibia. Rosario threw water bottles with an unknown substance at officers and picked up a wooden barricade and threw it at an officer resulting in a head injury requiring seven stitches.

Pickett has prior convictions for assault with intent to kill, failure to stop for a blue light, and attempted burglary. Rosario has no prior convictions.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Rosario to 48 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision.  Judge Lewis sentenced Rosario to one year and one day followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall is prosecuting the case.