Marion County Man to be Sentenced in Federal Court for Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Murder of 80-Year-Old Victim

FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dominique Brand, 31, of Marion, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on Thursday, August 3, for kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder.

Brand was convicted following a multi-day bench trial in September 2022.  Evidence presented at trial established that on Sunday, March 28, 2021, Brand entered Mary Ann Elvington’s home in Nichols, South Carolina.  At about 6:11 p.m. that Sunday, Brand forced Ms. Elvington to drive him from her house to Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, and back into South Carolina.  During this trip, Mr. Brand sat behind Ms. Elvington with the shotgun. 

Later that evening, Brand drove Ms. Elvington to a remote crossroads in Marion County and walked her behind the abandoned Zion Grocery store.  He held the shotgun to the back of her head and pulled the trigger, executing her.  Brand then drove Ms. Elvington’s car to Marion, where he hid it behind an abandoned club.  Ms. Elvington’s body was located the following evening, March 29, 2021.  After learning he was a suspect, Brand turned himself in to authorities on March 31, 2021.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over the trial and will impose the sentence.  Brand faces a penalty of life imprisonment on each count.

WHEN:         Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 1:00 pm

WHERE:     McMillan Federal Building

                       Courtroom 1

                       401 West Evans Street

                       Florence, South Carolina

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