Sumter woman, Georgia man face 10 years in jail for firearms charges

A Sumter woman and a Georgia man were both indicted on firearms charges and could face up to 10 years in prison.

According to the United States Department of Justice, Daeja Bryana Hodge, 25, of Sumter, and Kelsey Antonio McCallum, 29, of Gainesville, Georgia, received a four-count indictment - one count of conspiracy, three counts of making false statements on firearms purchase forms and aiding and abetting.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, which captures and compares ballistic evidence to help solve and prevent violent crimes involving firearms, the department said.

From at least June 2020, Hodge and McCallum conspired to make false statements while purchasing firearms and engaged in unlicensed dealing of firearms, according to the indictment. On two dates in January 2021, Hodge - aided and abetted by McCallum - allegedly falsely claimed on purchase forms at two firearm dealers in Columbia that she was the true purchaser of eight firearms when she was not the true buyer, the indictment reported. According to the Department of Justice, Hodge and McCallum face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictment are "merely accusations" and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.