A federal jury convicted Jarvis McKenzie, a/k/a "Jay Rock," age 30, of Columbia, on drug and firearms violations. McKenzie was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of crack and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; three counts of use of a telephone to further a drug felony; and felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. McKenzie faces a mandatory minimum of twenty ( 20 ) years imprisonment and a maximum of LIFE on the charges.The case arose out of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) led Columbia Violent Gang Task Force into the illegal activities of members of the Gangsta Killer Bloods set of the Bloods street gang. The FBI obtained information from confidential sources, cooperating defendants and federally issued wiretaps.
The investigation identified McKenzie as one of the primary suppliers of cocaine and crack cocaine to the gang members. In January of 2007, federal agents executed nine federal search warrants at various residences, including McKenzie's. Agents seized over $250,000 in cash from McKenzie's residence, as well as two automobiles and two firearms. Over $320,000 in cash was seized overall in the nine searches. McKenzie is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for voluntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during a violent crime and possession of crack.
This case was investigated by agents of the FBI's Columbia Violent Gang Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey D. Haynes and Jane B. Taylor of the Columbia office
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