COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Marek Cortez Brewer, Jr., 24, is heading to federal prison for 15 years. The Columbia man was sentenced today after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. The evidence paints a picture of a reckless individual repeatedly armed and entangled in violent crime.
Between February 2020 and February 2022, Brewer was illegally packing heat – at least five firearms across five separate incidents, three of which were stolen. These weren’t just collecting dust. Prosecutors presented evidence linking those weapons to attempted murders, shootings, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and brazen escapes from law enforcement. This wasn’t just about possessing guns; it was about fueling a cycle of violence on the streets of Columbia and beyond.
The pattern started February 22, 2020, with Brewer’s arrest carrying a 9mm pistol and the tools of the drug trade: a digital scale, baggies of marijuana, and pills. Less than a year later, on November 14, 2020, he was caught again, this time with a stolen and loaded .40 caliber pistol after shots were reported fired nearby. A month after that, on January 11, 2021, Brewer led authorities on a 125 mph chase across two counties in a stolen vehicle, ditching a loaded 9mm pistol when he crashed and fled on foot. A recorded jail call revealed his nonchalant attitude – calling it a “high speed” run and stating he’d “back up the road,” but wasn’t “even mad.” ATF forensics later connected that same 9mm to a shooting on Assembly Street just a month prior.
The crimes escalated. On May 18, 2021, Brewer was allegedly involved in an armed robbery where three men demanded a victim’s firearm. Shots rang out as the victim fled. When Brewer was arrested, he was found with the very .40 caliber pistol stolen during the robbery. Then, on February 26, 2022, Brewer was arrested for allegedly shooting two victims – one in the back, one above the eye – from a moving vehicle. Another high-speed chase ensued, ending with Brewer in custody alongside narcotics, a scale, $900 in cash, and yet another 9mm pistol.
Federal investigators also established that Brewer is affiliated with a documented street gang, adding another layer to the case. Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten handed down the 15-year sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. There’s no parole in the federal system, meaning Brewer will serve the full term. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
This case was brought forth under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program focused on reducing violent crime. PSN emphasizes collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, targeting the most violent offenders while investing in prevention and reentry programs. Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case, sending a clear message that armed criminals preying on the community will face serious consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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