Evergreen Reporter

Derrick Santell Brown, a 33-year-old resident of Ravenel, South Carolina, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Brown pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The incident leading to his arrest occurred on January 12, 2023. An officer from the Goose Creek Police Department stopped an SUV for an inoperable headlight. Brown, who was driving the vehicle alone, exited upon stopping and fled after a brief interaction with the officer. He was apprehended approximately 300 yards away by another officer. At the time of his arrest, Brown had over $10,000 in cash, two bags containing 43 grams of marijuana, and two cell phones. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered an AK-47 style firearm with an extended magazine loaded with 48 rounds.

United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks handed down the sentence of 120 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. In the federal system, parole is not available.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Goose Creek Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Holmes is handling the prosecution.