Florence, South Carolina – Marquand Jerome Newell, aged 41 and from Mullins, received a federal prison sentence exceeding 9 years after he admitted to charges of intending to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, alongside possession of a firearm to aid his drug trafficking activities. The details unfolded in court indicated that on September 28, 2022, Dillon County Sheriff’s Office deputies visited a residence in Dillon, South Carolina, to deliver an Order of Protection. They found Newell seated in a car parked in the driveway upon their arrival.
According to the Department of Justice, deputies interacted with Newell to confirm his identity. As they approached his car, they smelled marijuana. Newell confessed to having marijuana and handed over a cooler with a sizable bag of what appeared to be marijuana. He also pointed the deputies to the glove compartment of his car, suggesting they check it.
A search of the car led to the discovery of 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 found in the glove compartment. Additionally, deputies found about $1,800 in cash on Newell.
Judge Joseph Dawson, III of the United States District Court sentenced Newell to 117 months in prison—57 months for the drug-related charges and an additional 60 months for the firearm charge, followed by 5 years of supervised release. The federal system does not allow for parole.
This case was handled under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. The strategy, revitalized on May 26, 2021, emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting local organizations to prevent violence, focusing on strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating the outcomes of these efforts
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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.
