Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 16 years in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Johnny Lee Dickerson, 45, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense involving methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.

According to the facts presented in court, the Columbia Police Department and long with the DEA, launched an investigation identifying Dickerson as a supplier of multiple controlled substances in Columbia and Lexington County. Between February and June 2024, Dickerson sold approximately 453.6 grams of methamphetamine to confidential informants and undercover officers.

At the sentencing hearing, Dickerson was held responsible for approximately 3,906 grams of cocaine, 56.7 grams of crack cocaine, 453.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 43 grams of marijuana.

Dickerson has prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute within proximity of a school, criminal domestic violence, and distribution of crack cocaine. Based on his prior controlled substance convictions, he was designated a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Dickerson to 200 months in federal prison, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, City of Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.