Laurens Gunman Gets 9.5 Years for Pharmacy Robbery

GREENVILLE, SC – A Laurens man is headed to federal prison for nearly a decade after holding up a local pharmacy with a loaded revolver. Iquill Wayne Morrison, 22, was sentenced today to 114 months – that’s nine and a half years – followed by a term of supervised release, after pleading guilty to federal charges stemming from the August 25, 2016, robbery of the Drug-Lo Pharmacy in Laurens.

According to court records, Morrison walked into the Drug-Lo Pharmacy brandishing a firearm and demanding cash. He didn’t hesitate to point the weapon at terrified employees, ultimately making off with approximately $305. It was a brazen act of violence in a small town, and local law enforcement responded swiftly. Officers quickly located Morrison hiding in the woods nearby, bringing a swift end to the immediate threat.

The evidence presented in court painted a clear picture of Morrison’s guilt. Following his arrest, Morrison confessed to the entire crime, detailing how he’d entered the pharmacy, committed the Hobbs Act robbery, and then fled. Crucially, he led officers to the location where he’d ditched the .38 caliber revolver used in the robbery, as well as a backpack used to carry the stolen money. The firearm was confirmed to be loaded, adding another layer of danger to the already volatile situation.

United States Attorney Beth Drake highlighted the severity of the crime and the successful prosecution. Morrison pled guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951 – the Hobbs Act (armed robbery) – and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c) – using and possessing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. These aren’t petty offenses; they carry significant penalties, and the court rightly handed down a substantial sentence.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, bringing together the Laurens Police Department, the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen, working out of the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office, skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring that Morrison was held accountable for his actions.

This case serves as a stark reminder that armed robbery is a serious federal crime with severe consequences. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal prosecutions across the nation, exposing the dark underbelly of criminal activity and holding perpetrators accountable. The streets of Laurens, and beyond, are a little safer with Iquill Wayne Morrison behind bars.