Arma Victor Strong, III, Possession with Intent to Distribute, South Carolina 2021

A Columbia man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a major drug trafficking operation in the city.

Arma Victor Strong, III, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 8, 2021, a Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigator on surveillance in an unmarked car in a motel parking lot on Nates Road saw a person walk over to an occupied car and engage in a drug deal.

As the person walked away from the car, the deputy saw and took a photo of what appeared to be narcotics in the person’s hand.

Strong faced increased penalties based on prior felony state convictions for possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Strong to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a 6-year term of court-ordered supervision.

Strong’s case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the U.S. government’s violent crime reduction efforts.

The PSN program focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Brian Chadwick Jeffcoat, Meth, Fentanyl Distribution, Georgia 2024

May 24, 2024

Drug Trafficking

Ever Omar Valdez, Cocaine Trafficking, New Mexico 2017

May 23, 2017

Drug Trafficking

Oscar Manuel Rosas Gaona, Fentanyl Trafficking, Oregon 2023

May 5, 2023

Drug Trafficking

Larry Sparks, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Distribution, Georgia 2023

May 19, 2023