Evergreen Reporter

Kenyatta Defondrael McLaughlin, a 45-year-old resident of Dillon, South Carolina, has been sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison. McLaughlin pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The court heard evidence that on September 16, 2022, an officer from the Dillon Police Department conducted a traffic stop on McLaughlin's vehicle. As he exited the car, a loaded 9mm handgun fell from his lap. The officer also observed what appeared to be a marijuana joint in plain view inside the car's center console. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 25 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of crack cocaine, and 219 grams of suspected marijuana. At that time, McLaughlin was prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his status as a convicted felon.

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson III handed down a sentence of 35 months in prison for McLaughlin. Following his release, he will be subject to three years of court-ordered supervision. It should be noted that parole is not available within the federal system.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to unite various levels of law enforcement and community groups with the goal of reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program aims to create safer neighborhoods through fostering trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, establishing strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.

The investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Dillon Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn is responsible for prosecuting this case.