Lexington County Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison on Drug and Gun Offenses

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Trevor Jerremy Jones, 36, of Lexington County, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm. Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Nov. 6, 2021, a University of South Carolina patrolman conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after determining that the car tag had expired. The officer made contact with the driver, Trevor Jones and smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Jones denied that there was any marijuana in the car, but the officer searched the car and located a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the driver’s side door and a large clear plastic bag containing a large amount of marijuana in the center console. Jones was arrested and stated that the property in the vehicle belonged to him. Officers also found a .40 caliber pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition in the glove box. The gun had been reported stolen. Jones claimed he bought the firearm from a friend. Jones also had a large amount of money, grouped into small denominations consistent with the sale of narcotics. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Jones to 24 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities . This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the University of South Carolina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case. ###