Marquand Jerome Newell, Methamphetamine Trafficking, South Carolina 2023

Florence, SC - In a shocking turn of events, a Mullins man was sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison for his role in a massive methamphetamine and firearm trafficking ring. Marquand Jerome Newell, 41, was handed down a 117-month sentence by United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to court documents, Deputies with the Dillon County Sheriff's Office arrived at a home in Dillon, South Carolina to serve an Order of Protection on September 28, 2022. Upon approaching the vehicle Newell was sitting in, Deputies detected the odor of marijuana and discovered a large bag of suspected marijuana in a cooler. The search of the vehicle yielded 33 grams of methamphetamine, 56 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, and 27 grams of fentanyl. A loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun was also found in the glove compartment, along with approximately $1,800 in cash.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in neighborhoods across the country. The program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to foster trust and legitimacy, support community-based organizations, set focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measure results.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn is prosecuting the case, with the Dillon County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisting in the investigation.

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III sentenced Newell to 117 months imprisonment, 57 months on the drug charge with 60 months consecutive on the firearm charge, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of drug trafficking and the importance of community involvement in reducing crime. As the nation grapples with the opioid epidemic and other substance abuse issues, it is more important than ever to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.

The defendant's name, Marquand Jerome Newell, is a 41-year-old resident of Mullins, South Carolina. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, as well as possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The case is a part of the United States Attorney's Office's commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence in neighborhoods across the country. The office is dedicated to working with community-based organizations and law enforcement agencies to prevent violence and promote public safety.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/mullins-man-sentenced-nearly-decade-federal-prison-drug-and-firearms-crimes