William Justin Marshall, 43, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
The case began when a deputy from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where Marshall was a passenger. During the stop, a K-9 officer alerted to the car. A search led deputies to find a digital scale covered in white residue consistent with crack cocaine. The substance tested positive for cocaine. Both Marshall and the driver denied ownership of the drugs and were charged with possession of crack cocaine before being taken to a field office for processing.
While at the field office, Marshall resisted a full search by officers and requested to be taken to the hospital. At the hospital, police removed his shoes and discovered multiple bags containing fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Marshall to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked alongside the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting.
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