Evergreen Reporter

Marquine Antonio Benbow, a 34-year-old resident of Charleston, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. The sentence follows his guilty plea to charges of armed robbery affecting interstate commerce and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Court evidence revealed that Benbow was involved in multiple armed robberies and a carjacking incident. On August 22, 2017, he carjacked a woman at gunpoint and subsequently drove the stolen vehicle to a Circle K store in Summerville. At the store, he threatened the cashier with a weapon and demanded money. An hour later, Benbow repeated this act at another Circle K location in Charleston. His DNA was found in the carjacked vehicle, and video surveillance from both Circle K stores confirmed his identity.

United States District Judge David C. Norton approved a negotiated resolution, sentencing Benbow to 20 years imprisonment followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. It is noted that there is no parole available within the federal system.

This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. On May 26, 2021, an enhanced strategy for PSN was introduced focusing on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Columbia Field Office alongside the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is responsible for prosecuting the case.