Marcell Spencer, Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Brandishin…

Marcell Spencer, 23, of Goshen, Indiana, is headed to federal prison for 61 months after pleading guilty to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and brandishing firearms in connection with a drug trafficking operation. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jon E. DeGuilio, marks the end of a nearly five-year federal case rooted in a 2018 search that uncovered drugs and weapons at Spencer’s home.

The charges stem from a May 2018 search warrant executed at Spencer’s Goshen residence. Federal agents, acting on investigative leads, seized marijuana and multiple firearms during the raid. Evidence gathered at the scene formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case, leading to Spencer’s eventual guilty plea in federal court.

Spencer admitted to both possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and having firearms on hand as part of his drug operation. Under federal law, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime triggers mandatory consecutive sentencing—meaning the gun charge stacks on top of the underlying drug offense.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) spearheaded the investigation, working in tandem with the Goshen Police Department. Their joint effort dismantled what prosecutors described as a localized but active drug distribution setup operating out of Spencer’s home.

Assistant United States Attorney Frank E. Schaffer prosecuted the case, pushing for a sentence that reflects the seriousness of combining narcotics trafficking with firearms. U.S. Attorney Kirsch emphasized that federal authorities remain focused on targeting individuals who arm themselves while dealing drugs, calling it a threat to community safety.

Spencer will serve 61 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Federal records confirm no additional charges are pending, but the conviction permanently bars Spencer from possessing firearms. The case stands as another example of federal crackdowns on drug-related gun offenses in northern Indiana.