Mark Lee Frasier, a 33-year-old resident of Summerville, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. This follows his guilty plea for possession of a firearm and ammunition after a felony conviction.
The court heard that on February 7, 2023, Charleston Police officers encountered Frasier during their patrol in a high-crime area. He was parked outside an abandoned building when officers noticed what seemed to be cocaine inside his vehicle. Upon seeing the police, Frasier fled but was soon caught after reaching a dead-end street.
A search of Frasier’s vehicle revealed 9.31 grams of cocaine in the center console, 3.62 grams of crack cocaine on the driver’s floorboard, 15 methamphetamine pills, and a marijuana blunt. Additionally, officers found a stolen .40 caliber pistol on the driver’s seat where Frasier had been sitting. Due to prior felony convictions, federal law prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition. His sentence was enhanced because of previous convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses.
At the time of his arrest, Frasier was out on bond facing state charges including murder and attempted murder among others.
United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks handed down the 20-year sentence as part of a negotiated agreement between the parties. The sentence includes five years of court-ordered supervision following imprisonment. It is noted that there is no parole in the federal system.
This case is associated with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by uniting various levels of law enforcement with communities they serve. The initiative emphasizes fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs.
The investigation involved collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting this case.
