FLORENCE, S.C. — Marquand Jerome Newell, 41, of Mullins, was sentenced to more than 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that, on September 28, 2022, Deputies with Dillon County Sheriff’s Office went to a home in Dillon, South Carolina to serve an Order of Protection. When they arrived at the home, they discovered Newell sitting in a vehicle in the driveway. Deputies made contact with Newell to determine if he was the individual they were looking for. Upon approach to the vehicle, Deputies detected the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Newell admitted he had marijuana and handed Deputies a cooler containing a large bag of suspected marijuana. Newell also indicated there was something in the glove compartment of the vehicle that law enforcement should recover.
In a search of the vehicle, Deputies found 33 grams of methamphetamine, 56 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, and 27 grams of fentanyl. In the glove compartment of the car was a loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun. Deputies found approximately $1,800 in cash on Newell.
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 is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn is prosecuting the case.
