Columbia Man Convicted of Drug Conspiracy Involving Robbery, Murder

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that a jury convicted Izell D. Grissett, a/k/a “Buddy,” age 27, of Columbia, South Carolina, after a four-day trial in federal court. Grissett was convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, robbery affecting interstate commerce (Hobbs Act), brandishing and discharging a firearm in connection with a crime of violence and a drug trafficking offense (924(c)), possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of crack cocaine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia presided over the trial. He will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the trial and in other hearings connected to the case established that from 2005 to the present, Grissett sold multi-kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine in and around the Columbia area. In 2010, Grissett and a co-defendant (who previously pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 years) robbed their drug suppliers of two kilograms of cocaine. In executing the robbery, Grissett shot two persons, killing one person. The second victim sustained life-threatening injuries.

Mr. Nettles stated that Grissett faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment on the drug conspiracy and a consecutive sentence of at least 10 years on the 924(c).

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William Witherspoon and Nancy Wicker of the Columbia Office handled the case.