Four sentenced in large methamphetamine conspiracy case
A Columbia man and three California men were sentenced in federal court on Thursday for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Zachary Fennell was sentenced to 23 years and four months in federal prison without parole.
Fernando Chavez and Dijon Brown were each sentenced to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.
Favbion Holmes was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
Officials said the the men were among 10 defendants who have been convicted and sentenced in the case.
According to court documents, Fennell began receiving methamphetamine through the mail and distributing it in Columbia as early as December 2014. In 2015, investigators seized four parcels intended for delivery.
The packages were found to have 3.55 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.
Officials said Fennell is a former gang associate and has been heavily involved in criminal activity throughout his lifetime.
Chavez was accused of mailing packages containing large quantities of almost pure methamphetamine to Fennell to distribute.
Holmes’ was accused of providing armed protection for Fennell. Brown would also provide armed protection and distribute methamphetamine.
On Nov. 6 2015, postal inspectors identified a suspicious package that was mailed to Fennell. Officers searched the package and found 444.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, valued at more than $11,000.
Officers said when they tried to serve a search warrant to the house, Brown, Holmes and Howard all started running but they were eventually taken into custody.
The chase caused a lockdown of a nearby elementary school.
Officers found three loaded guns, a small amount of methamphetamine and various documents that appeared to be ledgers for narcotics transactions inside of their house.
