Columbia Crack Dealer Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 18, 2012 |
COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles announced today that Zachery Oree (28) was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for distributing substantial quantities of crack and powder cocaine in the Columbia area. Oree had pleaded guilty to the possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson imposed the sentence on Thursday in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina.
During the sentencing, the court found that Oree’s extensive criminal record required that Oree be treated as a career offender. Moreover, the court determined that Oree distributed more than 15 kilograms of crack and powder cocaine. As part of his extensive distribution activities, Oree possessed a firearm and threatened to use violence. Mr. Nettles stated that Oree’s sentence resulted from his extensive criminal record, the substantial quantity of cocaine and crack, and Oree’s use of a firearm to threaten violence.
The investigation and conviction resulted from the cooperation between the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay N. Richardson.