Evergreen Reporter

Martrell Johnson-Cooke, 28, and Krishawn Shykeice Allen, 23, both of Camden, were sentenced to 10 years and seven years in federal prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In 2021, law enforcement received information that Johnson-Cooke was a drug distributor attempting to purchase kilogram quantities of narcotics. An undercover agent, posing as a dealer, contacted Johnson-Cooke, who expressed interest in fentanyl and methamphetamine. Johnson-Cooke inquired about the cost of a kilogram of fentanyl, and the agent told him $30,000. Two months later, Johnson-Cooke contacted the agent to arrange the purchase of one kilogram of fentanyl, five ounces of cocaine, and two pounds of methamphetamine. They agreed to meet on May 20, 2021, in Columbia.

On May 20, Johnson-Cooke arrived at the agreed-upon location with $35,000 in cash, two armed associates, and three people to test the drugs he intended to buy. Allen accompanied Johnson-Cooke inside the establishment to meet with the agent, acting as security for Johnson-Cooke and the cash. As Johnson-Cooke gave the money to the agent, Richland County deputies intervened and arrested the two men. Allen tried to run away; a loaded gun fell out of his back pocket. Allen is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger-Lewis sentenced Johnson-Cooke to 120 months imprisonment followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. Judge Lewis sentenced Allen to 84 months imprisonment followed by a three-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 communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making 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 communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring; setting focused strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring results.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is prosecuting this case.