Mullins Man Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack Cocaine

FLORENCE, S.C. - Mark McGarret Lewis, 52, of Mullins, was sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to five counts of distribution of crack cocaine.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on five separate occasions in April 2019, Lewis distributed a quantity of crack cocaine to a confidential informant. Lewis committed the offense after having two prior federal convictions, one for bank fraud and one for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine, as well as two other state drug convictions for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Lewis to 110 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a six-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 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Marion County Combined Drug Unit, and the Mullins Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case.

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