Lexington Hostage & Gun Deal: Life Behind Bars?

⏱ 3 min read

De’Marionne Zaquann Miller, 22, is staring down a potential life sentence after a chaotic bust in Lexington County last June. The scene unfolded when deputies responded to a frantic call from a Florida family, fearing for a woman held captive. Miller fled the apartment with an AK-style rifle, ditching it during the escape, but a search quickly turned up the weapon – along with cash, dime bags of weed, and two cellphones.

Inside the apartment, authorities found a vacuum-sealed bag of marijuana, a scale, and ammunition, painting a picture of a small-time drug operation. But the real trouble for Miller wasn’t just the drugs; it was the gun. He’s already a convicted felon, thanks to prior convictions for escape and unlawful carrying of a pistol, making possession of a firearm illegal.

Federal prosecutors hit Miller with charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and using it in connection with drug trafficking – a potent combination. U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted Miller’s guilty plea, setting the stage for sentencing pending a report from the U.S. Probation Office.

Facing up to life in prison, plus significant fines and supervised release, Miller’s case highlights the tough penalties for repeat offenders caught with illegal weapons and drugs. The bust was a coordinated effort between the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.