Columbia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm Offenses (DOJ)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Tyrek Jacquez Carroway, 25, of Columbia, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Evidence presented to the court showed that undercover agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made 12 controlled purchases of narcotics from Carroway from November 2022 to May 2023. Carroway was trafficking narcotics from Texas and Georgia into South Carolina through hidden compartments in his vehicle. He was held responsible for possession with intent to distribute or distribution of varying quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and crack cocaine. Additionally, on 10 of these 12 controlled purchases, Carroway possessed or sold firearms while engaged in drug trafficking crimes.

United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Carroway to 180 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-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 and the West Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.

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