CHARLESTON, SC – Marion Katrell Campbell, 38, of Walterboro, South Carolina, will spend the next three decades behind bars after a federal judge handed down a 360-month sentence today. Campbell was convicted on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The sentence, delivered by United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, also includes six years of supervised release following his prison term.
The bust unfolded on July 8, 2017, when Walterboro Police Department officers pulled Campbell over for a simple, but telling, defect: a broken headlight. The routine stop quickly escalated. Campbell was already driving under suspension and facing unpaid traffic citations, but it was the K9 unit that sealed his fate. After alerting to the presence of contraband, a search of the vehicle revealed a disturbing cache. Under the driver’s seat, officers found a loaded .38 caliber Charter Arms revolver. Ammunition was stashed on the floorboard and in the driver’s side door.
But the gun wasn’t the only evidence. The vehicle was packed with methamphetamine, meticulously portioned into 42 individual plastic bags, ready for the streets. The total weight of the drugs tipped the scales at just under 37 grams – a significant amount despite the seemingly small individual packages. The front passenger seat and door yielded even more baggies, clearly intended for drug packaging. The evidence painted a clear picture: Campbell wasn’t just possessing drugs, he was actively running a distribution operation.
Even after his arrest, Campbell desperately attempted to distance himself from the firearm. Jailhouse phone calls revealed his frantic efforts to convince friends and family to falsely claim ownership of the gun found in his car. This attempt to obstruct justice only served to further incriminate him. Campbell’s prior record is extensive, including convictions for crimes ranging from criminal domestic violence and forgery to strong-arm robbery and multiple drug offenses – both possession and intent to distribute crack and cocaine.
This case was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Walterboro Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It’s part of a long-standing partnership between 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone and the United States Attorney’s Office, specifically targeting repeat offenders in five South Carolina counties: Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, Colleton, and Allendale. The prosecution, handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson and Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen, falls under the umbrella of Project CeaseFire.
Project CeaseFire, South Carolina’s implementation of the federal Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, is a data-driven strategy designed to curb violent crime. PSN focuses on the most dangerous offenders while simultaneously investing in community-based prevention and reentry programs. The goal? Lasting reductions in crime through a holistic approach that combines aggressive law enforcement with long-term solutions. This sentence sends a clear message: those who traffic drugs and wield firearms in South Carolina will face the full force of the law.
Related Federal Cases
- Lexington Meth Dealer Donohue Gets 10 Years · South Carolina
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- Mullins Heroin Dealer Gets 5 Years, Gun Charge Adds to Sentence · South Carolina
- Andrew Whittington Gets 110 Months for Heroin, Meth, Firearm Run · South Carolina
- Lexington Drug Dealer Gets Six-Year Sentence · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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