Illegal Alien Who Fired at Officers Sentenced on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges

Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Marcos Rodriguez Lopez, 34, a Mexican citizen located in Gaston, South Carolina, was sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. 

According to court documents, Lopez and others conspired to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute multiple kilograms of cocaine.  On the morning of January 10, 2017, federal, state, and local authorities executed search warrants at Lopez’s residence and another nearby residence.  As officers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol announced their presence and attempted to enter Lopez’s residence, Lopez fired one shot through the door where the officers were located before surrendering.  Lopez—who was residing in the United States illegally—was ultimately held accountable for over 12 kilograms of cocaine.  

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., sentenced Lopez to 262 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), ICE-Homeland Security, the State Law Enforcement Division (“SLED”), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Department, and Aiken County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

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