District of South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — David Elliott Paulsen, 61, pled guilty to his fourth federal offense of Possession of Child Pornography.

At the plea hearing, Paulsen admitted that within four months of his release from the Bureau of Prisons for a 2014 conviction for possession of child pornography, he possessed a contraband phone and child pornography. 

After his release from federal prison in March 2023, Paulsen was required to complete the remainder of his sentence at a residential reentry facility in Columbia. Paulsen admitted that on July 13, 2023, employees of the residential reentry center discovered a contraband phone in his room. Law enforcement searched the phone and discovered over 1,200 images containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) and at least one video. These CSAM images included adults sexually abusing children that were tied with ropes or duct tape.  Paulsen admitted that he kept these images in password protected cellphone applications and was downloading these images from the Dark Web. 

Paulsen has three prior federal convictions from 1993, 2004, and 2014 for possession of child pornography. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in federal prison. Paulsen, who was previously ordered detained, will remain detained until sentencing before United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Columbia Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case. 

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WASHINGTON – Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina will hold a press conference to announce civil rights investigations.

WHEN: Today, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. ET

WHO:    Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke

               U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs

WHERE: Media must RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

OPEN PRESS

Media planning to attend must RSVP to Julia Hartnett at Julia.Hartnett@usdoj.gov by 12:00 p.m. ET.

Any inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Aryele Bradford at Aryele.Bradford@usdoj.gov or Julia Hartnett at Julia.Hartnett@usdoj.gov

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WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it has opened two separate civil investigations into the conditions in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information gathered from stakeholders, the department has found significant justification to open these investigations. The department received credible allegations that incarcerated persons have died from use of force, gross medical neglect or suicide in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. The department also received credible allegations that the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is structurally unsafe and that there have been sexual assaults, homicides and prevalent violence resulting in serious injuries.

“People confined in local jails across our country do not abandon their civil and constitutional rights at the jailhouse door,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are launching these investigations to determine whether the jail conditions in two of South Carolina’s largest counties comply with basic constitutional standards. We are committed to ensuring that people held inside jails and prisons are not subjected to excessive force, violent conditions, inadequate medical and mental health care, and other dangerous physical conditions while in the custody of their local government.”

“Our office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights and ensuring the safety of all people in South Carolina, including those being detained or incarcerated in county detention centers,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We look forward to working with the Civil Rights Division to ensure the safety of those housed in these facilities.”

These facilities are both local jails, separately operated and funded by Charleston and Richland Counties. The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention center is operated by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is operated by the County through a Director.

The investigation of the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center will examine medical and mental health care, use of isolation and use of force. It will also examine whether the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office discriminates against persons with disabilities inside the Detention Center. At the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the department will examine living conditions and whether the detention center fails to protect incarcerated individuals from violence.

Before this announcement, officials from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina notified Charleston and Richland County officials, and officials in both counties have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. Both investigations will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Al Cannon Detention Center investigation will also be conducted under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both statutes give the department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the rights of people confined to correctional facilities. The department’s work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of people in jails and prisons. 

The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section is conducting these investigations jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of South Carolina. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department about the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center via phone at (888) 473-3201 or by email at Community.Glenn@usdoj.gov and the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center via phone at (888) 473-4059 or by email at Community.Cannon@usdoj.gov. 

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work regarding correctional facilities is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons.

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The Justice Department announced today that it has opened two separate civil investigations into the conditions in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information gathered from stakeholders, the department has found significant justification to open these investigations. The department received credible allegations that incarcerated persons have died from use of force, gross medical neglect or suicide in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. The department also received credible allegations that the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is structurally unsafe and that there have been sexual assaults, homicides and prevalent violence resulting in serious injuries.

“People confined in local jails across our country do not abandon their civil and constitutional rights at the jailhouse door,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are launching these investigations to determine whether the jail conditions in two of South Carolina’s largest counties comply with basic constitutional standards. We are committed to ensuring that people held inside jails and prisons are not subjected to excessive force, violent conditions, inadequate medical and mental health care, and other dangerous physical conditions while in the custody of their local government.”

“Our office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights and ensuring the safety of all people in South Carolina, including those being detained or incarcerated in county detention centers,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We look forward to working with the Civil Rights Division to ensure the safety of those housed in these facilities.”

These facilities are both local jails, separately operated and funded by Charleston and Richland Counties. The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention center is operated by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is operated by the County through a Director.

The investigation of the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center will examine medical and mental health care, use of isolation and use of force. It will also examine whether the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office discriminates against persons with disabilities inside the Detention Center. At the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the department will examine living conditions and whether the detention center fails to protect incarcerated individuals from violence.

Before this announcement, officials from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina notified Charleston and Richland County officials, and officials in both counties have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

The department has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter. Both investigations will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and the Al Cannon Detention Center investigation will also be conducted under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both statutes give the department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the rights of people confined to correctional facilities. The department’s work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of people in jails and prisons. 

The Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section is conducting these investigations jointly with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of South Carolina. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department about the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center via phone at (888) 473-3201 or by email at Community.Glenn@usdoj.gov and the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center via phone at (888) 473-4059 or by email at Community.Cannon@usdoj.gov. 

Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work regarding correctional facilities is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt/rights-persons-confined-jails-and-prisons.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The leader of a local street gang, Carlos Antonio Grooms, a/k/a “B Lord,” 36, of Columbia, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, following a federal drug conspiracy conviction.  Three co-conspirators were also sentenced to federal prison for their role in the scheme.

Between 2020 and 2022, Grooms led a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Lexington and Columbia areas. Grooms sold drugs on video to agents with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on numerous occasions, typically through drug users who he used as couriers. Evidence at sentencing indicated that he used as many as 9 others to distribute drugs, that the conspiracy used firearms in connection with drug trafficking, and that Grooms used numerous stash houses in the area to operate this conspiracy. Agents found a kilogram press, scales, night vision goggles, more than $10,000 in U.S. currency, a heat sealer, multiple cell phones, and other tools of the drug trade at Grooms’ house when he was arrested. 

At sentencing, the Court found that Grooms continued to coordinate drug distributions while in federal custody over recorded jail phones and e-mail accounts, and that Grooms was the leader of a local criminal street gang. 

The Court also found that Grooms threatened and tampered with numerous witnesses, including by telling witnesses to lie to agents or not speak with the police, and Grooms was responsible for at least one witness receiving what amounted to death threats.  As a result, the Court enhanced Grooms’ sentence for obstruction and witness tampering.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Grooms to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of Court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. 

The Court also sentenced three others for helping Grooms in his drug distribution operation:  Christine Elizabeth Horan (age 33, of Pelion, S.C.) was sentenced to 57 months to be followed by three years of Court-ordered supervision, Lucas Channing Austin (age 30, of Gaston, S.C.) was sentenced to 21 months to be followed by three years of Court-ordered supervision, and Emerald Kate Hearon (age 35, of Gaston, S.C.) was sentenced to Time Served (about 10 months) to be followed by two years of Court-ordered supervision.  All three were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, and all three distributed narcotics for Grooms.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the ATF, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — William Bruce Parker, a/k/a “Parker,” a/k/a “Willie Boner,” a/k/a “John Wayne,” of West Columbia, pled guilty of Cyberstalking Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Communicating Threats with the Intent to Extort victims for the production of pornography and coerced sex acts.

At the plea hearing, Parker, the 66-year-old former Chief of Police of the Town of Pine Ridge, SC, a retired 35-year veteran of law enforcement in South Carolina, who was a state constable at the time of the offenses, admitted to sending a series of threatening emails, texts, and voice messages in 2021 and 2022 from spoofed accounts and phone numbers to numerous female victims. His messages demanded his victims produce and send pornographic videos and photographs or he would harm the victims and their families, including physical and sexual violence directed at his victims and their spouses, children, and grandchildren, if they did not comply with his demands.  In his threats, he named particular communities in which his victims engaged, he threatened specific family members, and he promised harm if they went to the police.

After receiving the demands, victims reached out to Parker for advice and help given his law enforcement background. Parker lied to the victims about working with law enforcement agencies on investigating the threats, and he instructed the victims to produce and send the pornography. He also falsely promised victims that by responding, police would be able to track the emails and identify the extortionist. Once Parker had the coerced pornography, he then threatened to leak the same to obtain more. His threats culminated with demands that the victims engage in sexual acts with Parker, record the conduct, and send to the extortionist accounts. Parker admitted to engaging or attempting to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts with these victims.

At the bond hearing, the Government indicated there is evidence that there are additional victims beyond the two listed in the charging document. Individuals with information related to this case are encouraged to contact FBI Columbia at (803) 551-4200. 

Parker faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Parker was ordered detained pending sentencing by United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges. United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Parker on Jan. 31, 2024 at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case. 

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $482,804 to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program in the District of South Carolina. Funding will support community efforts to address the epidemic of gun crime and serious violence in the district. The grants, to Anderson Police Department, the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, are part of several awards being made to state and local agencies across the country. Funds are administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs.

Launched two decades ago as an evidence-based and community-oriented response to serious gun crime, Project Safe Neighborhoods, known as PSN, is a key component of the Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, outlined by Deputy Attorney General Monaco in May 2021. The PSN approach is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.

“Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat violence in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Boroughs. “The projects selected this year illustrate the value of combining community policing with the latest technology and investigative techniques to keep our neighborhoods safe. We are proud to work with these agencies.”

This year’s projects include funding a criminal operation research and evaluation unit, hiring a gang investigator, and purchasing a ballistics comparison microscope.

PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies and community organizations. The programs’ emphasis on community engagement, prevention and intervention measures, focused and strategic enforcement, and measurement and accountability has helped achieve overall reductions in violent crime, including gun homicides, in neighborhoods where PSN strategies have been implemented.

The awards announced above are being made as part of the regular end-of-fiscal year cycle. More information about awards under PSN and other OJP grants can be found on the OJP Grant Awards Page.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its components can be found at  www.ojp.gov.

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WASHINGTON – A South Carolina man pleaded guilty today to obstructing an investigation into the December 2019 murder of a transgender woman.

According to court documents, on Aug. 15, 2019, Xavier Pinckney, 24, of Allendale, provided false and misleading information to state authorities investigating the murder of Dime Doe, a transgender woman. Pinckney admitted that he concealed from state authorities the use of his phone to call and text Dime Doe the day of her murder and lied to state investigators about seeing Daqua Ritter, who allegedly shot Doe to death, on the morning of Doe’s murder.

“The defendant is being held accountable for trying to obstruct an investigation into the tragic murder of a Black transgender woman,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Acts of violence against LGBTQI+ people, including transgender women of color, are on the rise and have no place in our society. The Justice Department remains steadfast in its commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to unlawfully obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes.”

“Hate has no place in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The senseless murder of Dime Doe, and any act of violence against the LGBTQI+ community, confirms the need to confront hate in all its forms. Our office will continue to pursue justice for those impacted by bias-motivated crimes.”

“The defendant’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions in the pursuit of justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our partners remain determined to investigate crimes against marginalized communities and those who perpetrate them.”

Pinckney faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the obstruction of justice offense. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brook Andrews, Ben Garner and Elle Klein for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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A South Carolina man pleaded guilty today to obstructing an investigation into the December 2019 murder of a transgender woman.

According to court documents, on Aug. 15, 2019, Xavier Pinckney, 24, of Allendale, provided false and misleading information to state authorities investigating the murder of Dime Doe, a transgender woman. Pinckney admitted that he concealed from state authorities the use of his phone to call and text Dime Doe the day of her murder and lied to state investigators about seeing Daqua Ritter, who allegedly shot Doe to death, on the morning of Doe’s murder.

“The defendant is being held accountable for trying to obstruct an investigation into the tragic murder of a Black transgender woman,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Acts of violence against LGBTQI+ people, including transgender women of color, are on the rise and have no place in our society. The Justice Department remains steadfast in its commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who target LGBTQI+ people with acts of violence or who try to unlawfully obstruct investigations into these heinous crimes.”

“Hate has no place in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The senseless murder of Dime Doe, and any act of violence against the LGBTQI+ community, confirms the need to confront hate in all its forms. Our office will continue to pursue justice for those impacted by bias-motivated crimes.”

“The defendant’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions in the pursuit of justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our partners remain determined to investigate crimes against marginalized communities and those who perpetrate them.”

Pinckney faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the obstruction of justice offense. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brook Andrews, Ben Garner and Elle Klein for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a single-count indictment against Montell De’Angelo Cousar, 32, of Chester, for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that on May 5, 2023, Cousar unlawfully possessed a loaded Glock 9mm pistol after having been convicted of a previous felony.

Cousar faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and is currently detained pending trial.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case. 

U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Roosevelt Curry, 68, of North Augusta, S.C., was convicted of participating in an animal fighting venture following a multi-day jury trial.   

Evidence presented by the Government at trial in the case established that on March 12, 2022, Curry and others gathered at the property of Michael Roy Limehouse in Ridgeville, S.C. to participate in a cockfighting derby.  Participants paid $400 to enter four birds into the derby.  Some participants, including Curry, put multiple entries into the derby that day.  Once birds were weighed, organizers used a software program to match the birds into fights.  Participants then attached metal gaffes to their birds’ ankles prior to having them fight. 

While the cockfighting derby was taking place, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office received a tip and responded to the scene.  Officers searched the property and found a barrel containing birds that had been killed in the fights that had taken place so far that day.  They also seized numerous bird transport boxes, metal gaffes and spurs and other items used by participants.  Seven participants in the cockfighting derby, including Curry and Limehouse, were later indicted in United States District Court for their respective roles in the derby. The other six defendants pled guilty prior to Curry’s trial.

United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the trial and will sentence Curry after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.  Curry faces up to five years imprisonment. He has a previous state court conviction for cockfighting in 2010.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Lietzow and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA –The United States Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association (SCLEOA) and the Strom Thurmond Foundation, hosted the 40th Anniversary of the annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon today at the Ft. Jackson NCO Club in Columbia, South Carolina. Approximately 200 state, local, and federal law enforcement officials from across the state attended the awards luncheon to honor these officers and hear from Governor Henry McMaster, the keynote speaker. The awards began in 1983 and McMaster was the first United States Attorney to co-host these awards. 

The following South Carolina law enforcement officers received the 2023 awards:

City – Chief Amy S. Prock, Myrtle Beach Police Department

County – Captain Eric Abdullah, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office

Federal – Special Agent Adam R. Hardin, Drug Enforcement Administration

State – Colonel Christopher Williamson, South Carolina Highway Patrol

The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by then Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performances demonstrate the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement.  An annual award is given in each of the four categories: (1) city/municipal; (2) county; (3) state; and (4) federal.  An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, SCLEOA, and past recipients selects the winners from nominations received from across the state.

“These individuals embody the integrity and excellence of our law enforcement community,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “I am pleased to honor each of them today as we express our gratitude for their service to their communities and the state of South Carolina.”

 

City Recipient

      

 

Chief Amy S. Prock, Myrtle Beach Police Department

Amy Prock is the Chief of Police for the Myrtle Beach Police Department. She has served the department since 1996 and has been assigned to several different positions all throughout the department, to include the Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, Administrative Division, and the Investigative Division. During her 27 years of service, the positions she filled have provided her the opportunity to serve the Myrtle Beach community from the waterfront, to Street Crimes, to Narcotics, to Traffic, Patrol, Detectives, Regulatory and several others. She has been a member of the Critical Incident Negotiations Team, attended the FBI’s National Academy, the Administrative Officers Management Program at NC State and many other leadership and specialty trainings in law enforcement. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University in Radford, Virginia and her Master’s Degree in Psychology is from Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina.

Throughout Chief Prock’s time with the department, her focus continues to be on working with the Myrtle Beach community, team development, team leadership, and implementation of technology, such as NIBIN. She is motivated by the opportunity to make a difference. Her favorite motto is “Public safety is a shared responsibility.” What she enjoys most about being the Chief of Police is making a difference within the community she serves and working together with her community and with the Myrtle Beach Police Department and the City of Myrtle Beach to accomplish this. She believes that goals can always be met by working together and communicating.

County Recipient

 

 

Captain Eric Abdullah, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office

Captain Eric Abdullah began his South Carolina law enforcement career in 2003 when he joined the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Abdullah has served in many roles, including Patrol Deputy, Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, and SWAT Team Commander. In 2013, he was appointed Captain over the Special Operations Division and Public Information Officer. In 2022, he also assumed command of the Uniformed Patrol Division.

“He has done an outstanding job throughout the years building relationships with internal and external stakeholders by working harder than anyone I know and always models the way of a law enforcement professional,” said Sheriff Michael Hunt. Lt. Tyler Roberts of Aiken County Sheriff’s Office contributes Captain Abdullah’s leadership model from one of his quotes—“Take care of your people, your people will take care of you and the mission in turn will take care of itself.”

Captain Abdullah earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree from Colorado Technical University, is a graduate of 2008-2009 Leadership Aiken County, and a graduate of the 239th session of the FBI National Academy. He maintains and holds multiple instructor certifications through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and serves as a board member for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association. Captain Abdullah served 22 years in the United States Army, both active and reserves, before retiring in 2015. He also has served for 12 years as an Adjunct Instructor for the criminal justice program at Aiken Technical College.

Captain Abdullah and his wife Jessica have a blended family of 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren.

 

Federal Recipient

 

 

Special Agent Adam R. Hardin, Drug Enforcement Administration

Adam Hardin has a combined 29 years of law enforcement and military experience. Prior to joining DEA, he served eight years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and in the South Carolina Army National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst assigned to the South Carolina Governor’s Counter Drug Task Force. As an intelligence analyst with the Governor’s Counter Drug Task Force, Hardin was assigned to DEA, the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and worked on several high profile OCDETF Title III wiretap investigations.

In 2003, Hardin became a DEA Diversion Investigator, where he conducted investigations of individuals responsible for the diversion of controlled substances into the illicit market. He led an extensive investigation into the diversion of controlled substances by the leader and organizer of the largest pharmaceutical drug organization ever identified at that time in the upstate region of South Carolina. The investigation led to the conviction of 32 individuals. In 2008, Hardin became a DEA Special Agent assigned to the Atlanta-Carolina High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) group. Currently, he is the lead case agent of an OCDETF international money laundering investigation, which he and his partners from HSI initiated with the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. The investigation spans the United States, Mexico, South America, and Europe. To date, it has resulted in 9 arrests and the seizure of a large quantity of fentanyl and other drugs, as well as the seizure of multiple business bank accounts.

“Agent Hardin is an example of the best that a law enforcement officer can and should be--capable, honorable, intelligent, driven, hard-working and completely dedicated to the mission while maintaining the highest ethical standards,” said Jason Peavy, a criminal defense attorney and former Deputy Criminal Chief at the United States Attorney’s Office.

State Recipient

 

 

Colonel Christopher N. Williamson, South Carolina Highway Patrol

Colonel Christopher N. Williamson is a 37-year law enforcement veteran from Darlington, South Carolina. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy in his hometown, but over the past 35 years has ascended the ranks of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. In 2017, he became the first African American to hold the position of commander of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, where he leads nearly 1,000 sworn and civilian personnel in innovative policing efforts, utilizing technology to pinpoint enforcement areas of concern and placing a strong emphasis on employee wellness and community outreach. He played a significant role in fostering stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities it serves, particularly during periods of civil unrest. When COVID-19 completely changed our way of life, the Highway Patrol adapted to ensure that troopers and support staff could continue to do their jobs and carry out the mission of the Highway Patrol.

Colonel Williamson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Police Science from Fayetteville State University, as well as a Master’s degree in Clinical and Behavioral Counseling from Webster University. In 2021, the South Carolina General Assembly commemorated his accomplishments by designating a portion of Society Hill Road in Darlington County as “Colonel Christopher N. Williamson Road.” He and his wife Deloris have two daughters, Krissy and Daysha, two granddaughters, Kristina and Kailyn, and one grandson, Logan.

 

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA —Lawrence Joseph Florentine, 56, of Rock Hill, pleaded guilty in federal court to interstate domestic violence resulting in death, use of a firearm during a crime of violence to cause death, obstruction of justice, and use of fire during the commission of a felony.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Florentine married Nicole Zahnd Florentine in 2018. Video and audio recordings and the personal observations of Nicole’s family show the relationship was volatile. Beginning in December 2019, law enforcement in York County, where the couple resided, responded to multiple calls made by Nicole for emergency assistance. She reported that Florentine physically abused her and threatened to kill her, burn her, and bury her.

Florentine was arrested twice on domestic violence charges – one of which was dismissed, at least in part, at Nicole’s request before her death. On May 23, 2020, the couple’s Rock Hill home was destroyed by fire. Text messages and photographs Florentine sent to Nicole during the fire show that he intentionally burned her belongings and intentionally set the property on fire. Florentine is charged with arson in state court in connection with the fire.

An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined that Nicole and Florentine were traveling by car together in North and South Carolina at least from June 2 to on or around June 11, 2020. Nicole and Florentine were last known to be together in Piedmont, South Carolina, from June 7 to on or about June 10, 2020. No calls to police or for emergency assistance were made by Florentine during this time.

Before the road trip, Nicole regularly communicated with her grandmother. When her grandmother stopped hearing from Nicole, she filed a missing person report.

On June 13, 2020, a groundskeeper for Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, Kentucky, discovered what appeared to him to be a makeshift grave. Officers with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police responded and recovered a partially charred female body from the shallow grave. A gas can was recovered from behind a tree near the burial site. No identification, cell phone, or other personal belongings were found. An autopsy identified the body as that of Nicole, that the manner of death was homicide, and the cause of death was a .22 caliber bullet wound to the head.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a car matching the description of Florentine’s car around the cemetery before the body was discovered on June 13.  A local hardware store clerk identified sale transactions on June 11, 2020, for a shovel and a gas can identical to the can found at the cemetery by a customer who matched Florentine’s description.  Surveillance camera footage from a nearby gas station shows Florentine filling the gas can a short time later. Gasoline is commonly used as a fire accelerant.

No firearm was found; however, police recovered a lighter and .22 caliber cartridges in the center console and located Nicole’s blood on the rear exterior of Florentine’s abandoned car.

Sometime after June 11, 2020, Florentine fled Kentucky and arrived in Denver, Colorado. On June 23, 2020, he surrendered to the Denver Police.

This plea comes during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Although domestic violence is primarily a matter of state and local jurisdiction, federal laws provide tools for prosecuting domestic violence offenders in certain situations involving firearms and interstate travel or activity. U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs joins the U.S. Department of Justice in commemorating DVAM, paying tribute to victims and survivors, and saluting the dedication of advocates, service providers, justice professionals, law enforcement officers, and first responders who tirelessly work in support of survivors. The US Attorney’s Office encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out for help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233.

“Domestic violence affects our community in a deep and enduring way,” said U.S. Attorney Boroughs. “And we who serve as federal prosecutors for South Carolina have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal—and leverage our partnerships with local law enforcement and prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice. May we honor Nicole’s memory as we work to address and prevent future domestic violence.”

Florentine faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and eight years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.  United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Florentine after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Kentucky State Police, Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, York County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Hill Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leesa Washington and Benjamin Garner are prosecuting the case.

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MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA – United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Adair F. Boroughs, recognized four South Carolina Prosecutors for their distinguished achievements during the opening night of the 2023 South Carolina Solicitors’ Annual Conference, which took place in October 8-11, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

U.S. Attorney Boroughs presented four categories of awards: the 2023 General Sessions Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Prosecution to Eleventh Circuit Deputy Solicitor Rhonda W. Patterson; the 2023 South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Prosecution to Senior Assistant Attorney General Tracy Meyers; the 2023 Family Court Ernest F. Hollings Award for Excellence in State Prosecution to Twelfth Circuit Assistant Solicitor Stephen Hill; and the 2023 John R. Justice Community Leadership Award to Fifth Circuit Assistant Solicitor, and the late Prosecutor John R. Justice’s daughter, Ivy Justice.

The Ernest F. Hollings Awards for Excellence in State Prosecution were conceived in 1996 and begun in 1997 as a means for federal prosecutors to take the lead in publicly recognizing their state court colleagues who generally have to do much more with much less. As Chairman of the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, then United States Attorney J. René Josey enlisted the support of United States Senator Ernest F. Hollings to make the awards a reality. As a former Charleston prosecutor and longtime legislative supporter of law enforcement, Senator Hollings was more than willing to lend his aid. The Senator Hollings awards are presented annually to recognize an Assistant Solicitor in each of the following categories: (1) excellence in prosecution in the Court of General Sessions; and/or (2) excellence in prosecution in the Family Courts. In 2006, a third category was added to recognize an Assistant Attorney General.

Established in 2012, the John R. Justice Community Leadership Award is presented annually by the U.S. Attorney. Nominations are received from the U.S. Attorney, elected Solicitors, the Executive Director of the S.C. Commission on Prosecution Coordination, past elected Solicitors, or past recipients of the award. The award is presented at the annual Solicitor’s conference to an Assistant Solicitor who has exhibited exemplary citizenship and/or implementation of innovative solutions to advance public safety and improve the quality of the lives of members of his or her community. The award was named for Solicitor John R. Justice who over a period of decades honored and served both the criminal justice system and his community. The John R. Justice Community Leadership Award recognizes that community involvement, citizenship, and innovative ideas serve to advance public safety and the criminal justice system.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA ---- United States Attorney, Adair F. Boroughs, stated that tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), along with their local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will support schools across the state as they participate in South Carolina’s 22nd Annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.  With a focus on keeping our schools and communities safe, students in middle school and high school are signing a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children are making a similar commitment—pledging that if they see a gun, they will not touch it, they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult, and they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded.

The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence and encourages important conversations about gun safety and respectful ways to resolve disputes. Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part. For additional information concerning the pledge, visit the national Student Pledge website at www.pledge.org.

As it has done since 2002, the USAO reached out to all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and schools to make the pledges available to interested schools. The pledge effort is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national program that has been historically successful in bringing together law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The following South Carolina schools and law enforcement agencies are participating in this year’s pledge.  For information on events scheduled for a particular school, please contact the respective school or local law enforcement agency.

 

Participating Law Enforcement Agencies

Allendale Sheriff’s Department

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department

Cayce Police Department

Central Police Department

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

Chester County Sheriff’s Office

Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office

City of York Police Department

Columbia Police Department

Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office

Easley Police Department

Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office

First Circuit Solicitor’s Office

Georgetown Police Department

Greenville Police Department

Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office

Hampton County Sheriff’s Department

Landrum Police Department

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department

Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Myrtle Beach Police Department

North Myrtle Beach Police Department

Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

St. George Police Department 

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office

Town of Lexington Police Department

West Columbia Police Department

Participating Schools

 

Alcorn Middle School

Allendale-Fairfax High School

American Leadership Academy

Barnwell High School

Battery Creek High School

Beech Hill Elementary School

Bonds MSAP

Brookdale Elementary School

Brookland Cayce High School

C. A. Johnson High School

Cayce Elementary School

Central Academy of the Arts

Cheraw Intermediate School

Chester Senior High School

Chester Middle School

Chester Park Elementary Inquiry

Chester Park Elementary Colt

Chester Park Elementary Arts

Chester County Career Center

Chicora Elementary School

Creek Bridge Stem Academy

Denmark-Olar Elementary School

Donaldson MSAP

Eau Claire High School

Ebenezer Middle School

Edwards Elementary School

Fairfield Magnet School for Math and Science

Fairfield Middle School

Forest Heights Elementary School

Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School

Georgetown Middle School

Greg Mathis Charter High School

Great Falls High School

Great Falls Elementary School

H. B. Rhame Elementary School

Hammond Hill Elementary School

Hampton County High School

Hand Middle School

Heyward Gibbes Middle School

High Hills Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School

Lewisville High School

Lewisville Middle School

Lewisville Elementary School

Lexington Elementary School

Lexington High School

Logan Elementary School

McBee Elementary School

McBee High School

McCrorey-Liston School of Technology

McKissick Academy of Science and Technology

Marion High School

Memminger Elementary School

Midlands Technical College

Myrtle Beach Middle School

New Prospect Elementary School

Ocean Drive Elementary School

Pageland Elementary School

Pendergrass Fairwold High School

Plainview Elementary School

Ridge View High School

Ruby Elementary School

Sandlapper Elementary School

Septima P. Clarke Academy

St. George Middle School 

St. John's High School

Sterling Academy

Swansea Freshman Academy

The Learning Center Elementary School

The Learning Center Middle School

Turning Point Academy

W. A. Perry Middle School

W. G. Sanders Middle School

Ware Shoals Middle School

Whittaker Elementary School

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina School of Law, the Richland County Bar Association, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina are proud to present a staged reading of The Laramie Project, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's murder. Directed by Abigail Lee McNeely and featuring actors from the community and the University of South Carolina, the staged reading will take place in the Karen Williams Courtroom at the University of South Carolina School of Law on Oct. 17 and 18 at 7:00 p.m.

The Laramie Project, written by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project, is a documentary play written in the aftermath of Matthew Shepard's death.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Shepard, who succumbed to injuries after a violent hate crime committed against him. Shepard was a gay student who attended the University of Wyoming when he was beaten and left to die near Laramie, Wyoming in Oct. 1998. Through the voices of those who lived in Laramie, Wyoming, the play offers a thought-provoking reflection on the importance of tolerance and understanding in civil society.

Performing in the show are University of South Carolina students Gracie Auld, Bradley Gittens, Avery Williams, and Griffin Wilson, as well as Columbia theatre locals Julian Deleon, Ezri Fender, Mary Jeffcoat, and Ripley Thames. The cast of eight will perform over 40 different characters, including Laramie locals and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project.

Director Abigail Lee McNeely, a 2017 alumna of South Carolina’s Department of Theatre and Dance and staff member at Columbia’s Trustus Theatre, expressed her enthusiasm. "We are honored to bring The Laramie Project to the University of South Carolina School of Law. This production serves as a tribute to Matthew Shepard's memory and begs us to ask the question of what more can we do to prevent acts of hate against the LGBTQ+ in our community." Joining McNeely is associate director and dramaturg Elizabeth Houck-Zozaya.

The show is produced by theatre artist and University of South Carolina adjunct professor Patrick Michael Kelly. Citing the collaboration between local organizations, actors and artists from Columbia’s theatre community, and the involvement of various law organizations, Kelly calls the production “a true community effort, fitting for a play about community and how it bands together in a time of tragedy.”

This special production is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the Richland County Bar Association, in collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs said, “Out of the senseless beating death of Matthew Shepard came the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Enforcing this hate crimes law and other civil rights protections is central to the mission of the Department of Justice. Through the nationwide Department of Justice initiative, United Against Hate, and working with the USC School of Law and the Richland County Bar Association, our goal in offering this production is to foster dialogue in the community and promote tolerance, which aligns with the themes of The Laramie Project. More practically, our goal is to improve reporting of hate crimes by teaching community members how to identify, report, and, most importantly, prevent acts of hate.”

U.S. Attorney Boroughs will be moderating a talkback between the audience and a panel of subject matter experts and actors after each show. Audience members are encouraged to stay after the show to engage in conversation with these community leaders and creatives from the production.

The Laramie Project is a testament to the enduring power of theatre that invites audiences to reflect on the impact of Shepard's death and the importance of tolerance and understanding in civil society. This special event has only two performances. For more information about the production and to reserve your free tickets, please visit https://forms.office.com/r/YERBhJTbQF.

Event Details:

Date: Oct. 17 and 18, 2023

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Venue: Karen Williams Courtroom, University of South Carolina School of Law

Admission: FREE to the public, registration required at https://forms.office.com/r/YERBhJTbQF.

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FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA —Kelly Brosky, 44, of Myrtle Beach was sentenced to more than six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that in 2021, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating a possible clandestine pill pressing operation out of Myrtle Beach after learning that multiple pill press machines were sent to Brosky’s and her codefendant’s home.  Law enforcement conducted surveillance operations, which led to them executing a search warrant at the home on March 9, 2022. 

Agents seized over 6,000 pills, approximately $293,000 in cash, and other valuables.  Financial records showed that Brosky and her co-conspirators transferred thousands of dollars in drug proceeds to and from their Cash App accounts.

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson sentenced Brosky to 78 months in prison to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This investigation was a part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Horry County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darius Antonio Pugh, age 36, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 12 ½ years (151 months) in federal prison after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and a quantity of cocaine.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of August 14, 2020, a Charleston County deputy conducted a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle. Pugh, the driver, was in the vehicle with a female friend. As the deputy was speaking with Pugh, he saw loose “shake” (marijuana) inside the vehicle, which gave the deputy probable cause to search the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, deputies recovered a small baggie of cocaine and a loaded 9mm handgun. Pugh, who was out on a state bond from Lexington County for a shooting, was arrested on new state charges and thereafter made another state bond.

Thereafter, while out on state bond for the Charleston incident and state supervised release for discharging a firearm into a dwelling charges, Pugh, a gang member, was involved in a high speed chase with Richland County deputies. Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of April 9, 2022, Richland County deputies responded to a home invasion in progress in Northeast Columbia. Enroute, deputies received information that the suspect fled in an older model Expedition. While responding to the call, a deputy encountered an older model Expedition fitting the general description in the area. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop of the Expedition based upon improper vehicle tags. As the deputy turned on his blue lights and siren, the Expedition fled from Killian Road onto 1-77 with speeds in excess of 100mph. The chase continued for some time and ultimately stopped within the Colony apartment complex, after the Expedition struck a parked vehicle as it attempted to make a turn at a high rate of speed. Pugh ran from the vehicle and was apprehended by deputies. Inside a bag that Pugh had, deputies found a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and clear bags of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. A search of Pugh’s Expedition uncovered another loaded 9mm handgun, along with a jar of marijuana and a digital scale. Both handguns were reported stolen in Charlotte. It was determined that Pugh was not the suspect involved in the home invasion and that his Expedition was not the Expedition the home invasion victim said left the scene.

Pugh is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include possession of cocaine, possession of other controlled substance, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate convictions), possession of stolen motor vehicle, distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, failure to stop for blue light and siren, and discharging firearms into dwelling. 

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Pugh to 151 months imprisonment, which will be followed by eight years of federal supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs is pleased to announce the arrival of Veronica Hill as the office’s Public Affairs Specialist and media contact.  A seasoned communications professional, Veronica brings with her a wealth of energy, creativity, and collaborative experience.

Veronica joins the U.S. Attorney’s Office after serving as a public information officer for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Originally from Kansas, Veronica has worked in the fields of journalism, non-profit community engagement, and law enforcement.  She has a passion for developing mission-driven communication strategies and public information campaigns.  She has a broad media and marketing portfolio including experience coordinating national media coverage, managing TV/docuseries appearances, and social media content creation.  Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication and a master’s degree in theology.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Caleb York Rowell, age 30, of Swansea, South Carolina, and Brandi Leann Clarke, a/k/a “Brandi Savage,” age 26, of Gaston, South Carolina, were both sentenced today in federal court for their roles in a drug conspiracy where they sold firearms and drugs to confidential informants and undercover agents in the summer of 2021. Rowell was sentenced to 292 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and fentanyl, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a short-barreled shotgun not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Clark was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Evidence presented to the Court showed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into Rowell’s drug distribution in May of 2021. During a recorded call with a confidential informant on May 11, 2021, Rowell bragged about running away from a traffic stop the day before that resulted in a wreck and how officers found his drugs and gun. ATF confirmed that the day before, May 10, 2021, Gaston Police Department had been in a car chase after they attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. That chase culminated in the driver wrecking the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Along the route where the driver fled, officers were able to locate a fanny pack containing bags of heroin and fentanyl and nearby they found a stolen pistol. Through the recorded call and witnesses at the scene, officers were then able to identify Rowell, who was wearing a state court ankle monitor, as the driver who fled from the scene and discarded the drugs and firearm.

Thereafter, between May and July 2021, law enforcement made a series of undercover purchases of firearms, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from Rowell and Clark, Rowell’s girlfriend. One of the firearms sold by Rowell to the undercover agent was an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. Both Rowell and Clark admitted knowing the drugs contained fentanyl and during one transaction, Clark boasted about the quality of the drugs to the undercover agent. Additionally, the investigation revealed that Rowell was a member of a gang, although he disputed membership.

Both Rowell and Clark are prohibited from possessing firearms based upon prior felony convictions in state court. Rowell has prior state convictions for criminal domestic violence, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, failure to stop for blue light and siren, driving under suspension 3rd offense, and two convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Clark has two prior state convictions for possession of methamphetamine.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Rowell to a total of 292 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 6-year term of court-ordered supervision and a $500 special assessment fee.  Clark was sentenced to a total of 57 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 6-year term of court-ordered supervision with a $100 special assessment fee. There is no parole in the federal system.  In sentencing the defendants, the court noted the seriousness of the offense, especially since it involved fentanyl, which has shown to be deadly, and noted, “I take all my cases seriously, but when fentanyl is involved, the need to protect the public is critical.”

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) with assistance of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, Gaston Police Department, Swansea Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case.

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WASHINGTON – Moustafa Moustafa, M.D. and his medical practice, South Carolina Nephrology and Hypertension Center Inc., of Orangeburg and Bamberg, South Carolina, have agreed to pay $585,540 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they received illegal kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute in return for referring patients for laboratory testing. Dr. Moustafa and his practice have agreed to cooperate with the Justice Department's investigations of, and litigation against, other participants in the alleged kickback schemes.

“Financial inducements to healthcare providers can influence medical decisions and undermine the integrity of public healthcare programs,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who participate in kickback arrangements, including unlawful arrangements involving clinical laboratory testing.”

The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce referrals of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid and other federally funded healthcare programs. The Anti-Kickback Statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives and are instead based on the best interests of their patients.

The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Dr. Moustafa and his practice received kickbacks in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute in return for Dr. Moustafa’s laboratory referrals and caused the submission of false or fraudulent claims to Medicare and TRICARE.

• Office Rent and Phlebotomy Kickbacks. From June 2017 to December 2021, Dr. Moustafa and his practice allegedly received thousands of dollars in remuneration disguised as purported office space rental and phlebotomy payments, paid monthly or in a lump sum money order, from a clinical laboratory in Anderson, South Carolina, in return for Dr. Moustafa’s laboratory referrals.
• Clinical Staff Kickbacks. From August 2020 to December 2022, Dr. Moustafa and his practice allegedly received from a clinical laboratory in Kenilworth, New Jersey, remuneration in the form of free clinical staff to provide services to Dr. Moustafa’s practice unrelated to that laboratory, in return for Dr. Moustafa’s referrals for laboratory testing.
• Consulting and Medical Director Kickbacks. From September 2019 to March 2023, Dr. Moustafa allegedly received from marketing company Ralston Health Group Inc. (Ralston) thousands of dollars in remuneration disguised as consulting and medical director payments, paid monthly, in return for Dr. Moustafa ordering clinical laboratory services from five laboratories. The settlement resolves allegations that Ralston kicked back to Dr. Moustafa a portion of the commissions those five laboratories paid to Ralston, in return for Dr. Moustafa ordering laboratory testing from those laboratories.

“Rooting out healthcare fraud is a priority in the District of South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Kickbacks raise costs for taxpayers and undermine our healthcare programs by leading to unnecessary medical services. We are committed to holding those who give and receive illegal kickbacks accountable.”

“Kickbacks have no place in our healthcare system,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Health care providers and clinical laboratories are on notice that benefits in exchange for referrals are improper, and may violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. We will continue to pursue those who enter into unlawful arrangements that waste taxpayer dollars and improperly influence healthcare providers’ medical judgments.”

“Healthcare providers who accept kickbacks can allow greed to influence their medical decision-making, putting patients and their healthcare programs at risk of harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect HHS programs from abuse and ensure that patient needs drive providers’ decisions.”

“Kickback schemes have no place in federal healthcare programs and will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “DCIS and our partner agencies continue to stand firm in our dedication to protect the integrity of these programs.”

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Districts of South Carolina and New Jersey, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, HHS-OIG and DCIS.  The settlement announced today was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova in the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section), Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth C. Warren for the District of South Carolina and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kruti Dharia for the District of New Jersey.

The government’s pursuit of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Davon Thompson, 29, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on August 31, 2020, Rock Hill Police Department officers responded to a report of a man with a gun. During their investigation, a loaded .45 caliber pistol was found in a diaper bag belonging to a woman who was on scene. Thompson later admitted to hiding the pistol in the diaper bag. Thompson’s federal sentence was enhanced in part due to arrests in November 2020 and August 2021 for possessing firearms and drug trafficking. In the August incident, Thompson admitted to possessing a firearm equipped with a gun sight and a high-capacity ammunition magazine.

Thompson was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to previous state court convictions for burglary, failure to stop for a blue light, attempt to purchase oxycodone and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. 

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., sentenced Thompson to 84 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD), the Fort Mill Police Department (FMPD) and the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Donnell S. Durham, 35, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the Court showed that on July 27, 2021, Rock Hill Police Department officers stopped a car with a suspended license tag. Durham was a passenger in the car. Officers smelled marijuana coming from the car and asked Durham and the others inside the car to step out. Officers soon learned that Durham had an outstanding arrest warrant. When officers tried to arrest Durham, he resisted arrest leading to a struggle between Durham and the officers over a loaded pistol Durham had hidden in his waistband. After officers gained control of the pistol, Durham was placed under arrest. Durham was also found to be in possession multiple drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.

Durham was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to various state felony convictions. In 2012, Durham was convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault and battery after striking one RHPD officer with a car and almost hitting another officer while trying to flee from the officers. In 2014, Durham was convicted of aggravated assault and battery after shooting another man. In 2016, Durham was convicted of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Durham to 180 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD) and the York County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 26-count indictment against 12 people for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.  The indictment alleges that beginning in May 2020, John Holliday, Charlton Holliday, Curtis Clark, England Adams, Kendrick Jackson, Tommy Stuckey, Marvin MCrae, James Gamble, Marilyn Rodriguez, Steve Bates, and Larry Jones engaged in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin.  Additionally, the indictment alleges that Curtis Clark, England Adams, and Marvin MCrae engaged in firearm offenses.  The defendants were arraigned on September 27, 2023; one defendant remains at large. 

This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Sumter Police Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major is prosecuting the case. 

U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA --- Three men were sentenced to federal prison after an attempted drug robbery led to a gunfight in a parking garage at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

Dequadry Kendrick Razor, 21, of Columbia, was sentenced to twenty years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery, conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and possessing and discharging firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Jaondre Zidarius Collier, 23, and Tyree Laquan Smith, 21, both of Spartanburg, were sentenced to 68 months and 24 months, respectively, after also pleading guilty to drug and gun offenses.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 25, 2022, Smith and another man flew into GSP from Los Angeles carrying approximately fifty pounds of marijuana in two suitcases. These two men, along with Collier, had previously traveled from Charlotte to Miami to shoot music videos and then flown to California to purchase marijuana. Collier and his girlfriend flew into Charlotte and then drove to GSP to pick up Smith and the other trafficker. Unbeknownst to them, Razor and a coconspirator were sitting in a car outside the terminal, waiting to rob them. Information presented to the court showed that Razor and others had successfully robbed marijuana traffickers flying into GSP on multiple prior occasions.

After loading their suitcases into the trunk of Collier’s car, Smith and his companion climbed into the backseat. Collier pulled into a parking garage adjacent to the terminal, where the traffickers planned to transfer some of the marijuana into another vehicle. As they began to get out of the car, Razor and his coconspirator rushed in with pistols drawn, and a gunfight broke out. Smith was shot attempting to get out of the vehicle, and the would-be robbers fled without the suitcases, as the traffickers returned fire. Multiple vehicles parked in the garage were struck in the crossfire.

Smith, who had suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound, was loaded into another vehicle and rushed to a Spartanburg hospital. Collier can be seen on footage from the garage climbing back into his bullet-riddled car to chase the robbers. As Razor and his companion attempted to feed a ticket into the kiosk to exit the garage, Collier pulled up behind them and began shooting at them. An innocent bystander was trapped in her vehicle behind the fleeing robbers as Collier fired over her car, striking the kiosk. Razor and his companion were able to exit the garage and fled back to Columbia.

Collier remained at the scene, and responding law enforcement found the suitcases of marijuana in his trunk and two pistols in his glovebox. They also recovered shell casings from at least four different handguns. Investigators quickly identified the car used by the robbers, which they found at a Columbia home where Razor was living. A search of the bedroom Razor was staying in revealed a large bag of marijuana and two handguns. One of these guns was forensically matched to shell casings recovered from the parking garage and from the well of the windshield of the robbers’ car.

“Armed drug trafficking and the violence it spawns pose a threat to even our most secure and critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “No one should have to fear getting caught in crossfire at an airport. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the public from this type of brazen violence.”

“The reckless disregard of the public’s safety by these defendants is unconscionable,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office Steve Jensen. “The diligent efforts of all the law enforcement partners have ensured that these individuals are paying the price for their violent acts and drug trafficking into the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.”

Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong sentenced the defendants in this case. Several additional defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in connection with this shooting and related drug trafficking. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff's Department (RCSD) and the GSP Airport District Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schoen is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Shaquon Hines, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 1o months in federal prison after pleading guilty to escaping from federal custody.

Evidence presented to the court showed that in 2011, Hines was sentenced to 188 months in prison after being convicted in the United States District Court of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Hines’ sentence was later reduced, and he was released in October 2021 to report to a halfway house in Columbia to serve out the remainder of his federal sentence. Hines failed to report to the halfway house and remained at large. In July 2023, Hines was arrested in Hickory, North Carolina, after fleeing from police during a traffic stop. He was also found in possession of fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia. 

Senior United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie sentenced Hines to 10 months in prison, to run consecutively to the undischarged term of imprisonment from Hines’ 2011 drug conviction. Hines also faces an eight-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Therence Jamsion, 58, of Charleston, was sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Evidence presented to the court showed that in the Fall of 2020, Jamison, a registered sex offender, engaged in sexually explicit conversations via an online dating app with whom he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. After engaging in conversation, Jamison made plans in November 2020 to meet up with the boy at his home to engage in sexual activity. Upon Jamison’s arrival at the home, he was met by an undercover police officer and was arrested.

“There is no place in our community for crimes against children,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands ready to seek justice for victims of child exploitation and hold predators accountable. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to help identify and prevent these crimes.”

“HSI is committed to protecting children in our communities from predators that seek to abuse and exploit them, ” said Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent in Charge for HSI Charlotte, which covers North and South Carolina. “This sentencing is the result of the hard work of the agents and officers of HSI and our state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and arrest sexual predators and bring justice to the victims.”

United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Jamison to 223 months in prison, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by Mt. Pleasant Police Department, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Orville prosecuted the case.

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh, 55, of Hampton, has pleaded guilty in federal court to all 22 charges pending against him, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; bank fraud; wire fraud; and money laundering. 

“Alex Murdaugh’s financial crimes were extensive, brazen, and callous,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “He stole indiscriminately from his clients, from his law firm, and from others who trusted him. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and SLED committed to investigating and prosecuting Murdaugh’s financial crimes when they first came to light. Today marks our fulfillment of that promise.”

Murdaugh was a personal injury attorney at a law firm in Hampton, South Carolina.  He admitted to engaging in three different schemes to obtain money and property from his personal injury clients.

In one scheme, Murdaugh admitted that from in or around July 2011 until at least October 2021, Murdaugh conspired with his banker, Russell Laffitte, to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Murdaugh asked Laffitte to serve as personal representative or conservator for numerous personal injury clients. Laffitte collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees as personal representative or conservator for Murdaugh’s personal injury clients. 

As part of the scheme, Murdaugh directed law firm employees to make settlement checks payable to “Palmetto State Bank.” The checks were drawn on Murdaugh’s law firm’s trust account and identified the personal injury clients on the memo lines. Murdaugh then had the checks delivered to Laffitte, who distributed the checks for Murdaugh’s benefit, including to pay off personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals. Murdaugh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of wire fraud associated with this scheme. 

In November 2022, Laffitte was convicted on six federal charges for conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and misapplication of bank funds for his role in this scheme. In August 2023, Laffitte was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison.

In a second scheme, from at least September 2005 until at least September 2021, Murdaugh obtained money from his clients and his law firm by means of false pretenses. As part of the scheme, he routed and redirected clients’ settlement funds to personally enrich himself, including by:

• Drafting, or directing law firm employees to draft, disbursement sheets to send settlement funds to Murdaugh’s bank accounts without proper disclosure or client or law firm approval;
• Claiming funds held in the law firm’s trust account as attorney’s fees and directing the disbursement of those funds for his benefit;
• Claiming and collecting attorney’s fees on fake or nonexistent annuities;
• Creating fraudulent “expenses” that were never incurred on client matters and directing the disbursement of settlement funds to pay the cited costs, including claimed medical expenses, construction expenses, and airline expenses;
• Directing other attorneys with whom he was associated on client matters to disburse attorney’s fees directly to him, rather than appropriately routing the fees through the law firm; and
• Intercepting insurance proceeds intended for beneficiaries and depositing them directly into his personal account.

Murdaugh admitted that in September 2015, he created a bank account in the name of “Forge,” presenting as a legitimate corporation for structuring insurance settlements. Murdaugh was the owner of and the only authorized signer on this “fake Forge” account. From in or around May 2017 through at least July 2021, Murdaugh funneled stolen personal injury settlements through the “fake Forge” account. Murdaugh pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and 14 counts of money laundering relating to the theft of client money using the “fake Forge” account.

Finally, Murdaugh admitted that, from in or around February 2018 until at least October 2020, Murdaugh conspired with Beaufort personal injury attorney Cory Fleming to defraud the estate of Murdaugh’s former housekeeper and Murdaugh’s homeowner’s insurance carriers. In February 2018, Murdaugh’s housekeeper passed away after a fall at Murdaugh’s home. Murdaugh recommended that the housekeeper’s estate hire Fleming to represent them and file a claim against Murdaugh to collect from his homeowner’s insurance policies. 

Murdaugh’s insurance companies settled the estate’s claim for $505,000 and $3,800,000. Murdaugh admitted that he directed Fleming to retain hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlement funds for their own personal benefit, representing those funds as “prosecution expenses” to the state court.  Murdaugh and Fleming knew the funds did not belong to them and that there were no legitimate prosecution expenses. Murdaugh and Fleming reduced Fleming’s attorney’s fees, and Murdaugh knew he would steal the additional funds. 

Murdaugh directed Fleming to draft three checks totaling $3,483,431.95 made payable to “Forge.” Murdaugh then deposited the checks into his “fake Forge” account and used the funds for his own personal enrichment. The estate did not receive any of the settlement funds. Murdaugh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in this scheme.

Fleming pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge for his role in this scheme. In August 2023, he was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

As part of his guilty plea, Murdaugh agreed to waive his appeal and post-conviction rights, with narrow exceptions. He has also agreed to be fully truthful with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Provided Murdaugh fully complies with the plea agreement, the Government has agreed—consistent with the recommendation of the United States Sentencing Guidelines—to recommend that Murdaugh’s federal prison sentence run concurrent to any state sentence imposed for the same conduct.

Murdaugh faces the following penalties:

• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
• Bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
• Two counts of wire fraud are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
• Three counts of wire fraud are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000;
• Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000; and
• Money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton, and Winston Holliday are prosecuting the case. 

The case against Murdaugh is No. 9:23-cr-396 (D.S.C.).  The case against Laffitte is No. 9:22-cr-658 (D.S.C.).  The case against Fleming is No. 9:23-cr-394 (D.S.C.).

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FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Martine Garcia, 32, of Conway, was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.  Ulisses Jair Perez Guillen, 20, of Forth Worth, Texas, was sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Evidence presented to the court showed that, on July 7, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a home in Conway from which Garcia had previously sold methamphetamine.  Garcia and Perez Guillen were located inside the home, where law enforcement found approximately 450 grams of methamphetamine and 700 grams of cocaine.  Inside a car Perez Guillen had driven to the home, law enforcement found nearly a kilogram of cocaine and a 9mm SCCY handgun.  Further investigation revealed a hidden compartment in the car, which contained approximately 3.5 kilograms of additional suspected cocaine. 

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, II, sentenced Garcia to 41 months in prison, with 4 years of court-ordered supervision to follow.  Judge Dawson sentenced Perez Guillen to 120 months in prison, with 5 years of court-ordered supervision to follow.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by Horry County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Amir Golestan, 40, of Charleston, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to 20 counts of wire fraud.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Golestan operated a company, Micfo, LLC, that represented itself as providing hosting services and providing customers with technologies and services needed for a website or webpage to be viewed on the Internet.  As part of its business, Micfo applied and registered for IPv4 addresses through the American Registry of Internet Numbers (“ARIN”). 

IPv4 addresses are numerical labels assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet for communication.  ARIN is a nonprofit organization that administers IP address rights, allocations, and transfers in the United States, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean.  To obtain an IP address allocation from ARIN, an entity has to provide a need-based justification.  As ARIN’s pool of IPv4 addresses has depleted, a secondary market has developed where prices for a single IPv4 address have increased dramatically. 

After Micfo no longer qualified to procure additional IPv4 addresses based on ARIN’s policies and procedures, Golestan created fake companies, which he referred to as “Channel Partners,” to procure them.  Through the Channel Partners, Golestan made fraudulent representations to ARIN, and ARIN relied on those misrepresentations in granting the Channel Partners rights to IPv4 addresses. 

Golestan made over $3 million selling rights to those IPv4 addresses on the secondary market before his fraudulent scheme was caught.

“Like many corporate wrongdoers, Amir Golestan tried to obscure his criminal conduct by using fake companies and complex transactions,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands ready to unwind these schemes and prosecute those who exploit critical technologies to line their own pockets.  We are grateful to the FBI and to ARIN for their assistance in holding Golestan accountable.”

“Golestan’s criminal activities caused significant harm to his customers who put their trust in his hands,” said Paul “Reid” Davis, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office.  “His betrayal of that trust is being met by the weight of justice with this sentence.  The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners, are committed to investigating and dismantling fraudulent schemes designed to take advantage of critical technologies.”

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Golestan to 60 months in prison, to be followed by a 2-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. The court also ordered restitution be paid to ARIN in the amount of $76,978.25.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy F. Bower is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Martez Mandel Coleman, 44, of Wedgefield, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of marijuana.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of October 10, 2022, a deputy with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop of a Mercedes. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he smelled marijuana and saw a baggy of what he believed to be illegal narcotics on the center console. Coleman was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the car.

Coleman admitted to having marijuana and a gun in the car. Deputies recovered a loaded 9mm handgun and several baggies of fentanyl and marijuana. A drug analysis later showed that it was approximately 126 grams of fentanyl and approximately 47 grams of marijuana. The investigation revealed the gun as having been previously reported as stolen in Florence.

Federal law prohibits Coleman from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his 2001 federal convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute/distribution of crack cocaine; murder in relation to felony drug offense; and using/carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, causing death of a person through use of firearm.

He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 on the gun charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years with a maximum of life, along with a fine of $8,000,000, on the drug charge. He also faces a term of supervision of at least 8 years.

Coleman was on federal supervised release at the time of the October 2022 incident and faces up to two additional years in prison for violating the terms of supervision.

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Coleman after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA —Randy Kennedy, 35, of Piedmont, has pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Kennedy facilitated the mailing of over 4,000 grams of methamphetamine into South Carolina in 2019. Kennedy also instructed another person on how to carry out the methamphetamine business during the course of the conspiracy.

Kennedy faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision to follow his prison term. 

United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Kennedy after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Nabors Schoen is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Gerell Michael Hart-Smith, a/k/a “Rell,” 22, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that in the Spring of 2020, agents with Lancaster County Drug Task Force and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division were assisting Charlotte-Mecklenburg authorities by looking for Hart-Smith on outstanding state armed robbery warrants when they received information that he was staying with his girlfriend in her Lancaster, SC, apartment.

On the morning of March 20, 2020, agents went to the Lancaster apartment and knocked on the door, announcing that they were police and there to arrest Hart-Smith. The girlfriend confirmed that Hart-Smith was inside, as were her children. After approximately 13 minutes, Hart-Smith came out and was placed under arrest on the outstanding state warrants.

The girlfriend told authorities that Hart-Smith had a gun inside the apartment, which she turned over to them. She later admitted that he had been staying at the apartment with her for the past month and kept the gun inside the apartment. DNA analysis linked the loaded gun to Hart-Smith. 

Federal law prohibits Hart-Smith from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his October 2019 North Carolina conviction for larceny of a motor vehicle.  

Hart-Smith faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. He also faces up to 3 years of court-ordered supervision following his prison term. 

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Hart-Smith after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)-Charlotte, Lancaster County Drug Task Force, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- The need for specialized legal services is both urgent and essential for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These services provide interventions, such as securing restraining or protective orders, that are crucial for survivor safety. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina is proud to announce that the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) awarded $1,500,000 to South Carolina to provide legal services and improve the effective coordination of justice systems impacting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

OVW awarded $750,000 to the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) and $750,000 to the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN) under the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Program. The LAV Program addresses the legal needs of survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

“These grants reflect our commitment to making South Carolina a more difficult place for violent actors to operate and a safer place for survivors,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We are grateful to SCCADVASA and SCVAN for their tireless work in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault find both justice and safety.”

“The Legal Assistance for Victims Grant, in conjunction with the Justice for Families Program and the Domestic Violence Mentor Court Technical Assistance Initiative, serve as a powerful multi-pronged strategy to transform the justice system’s approach to supporting families affected by violence," stated OVW Director Rosemarie Hidalgo. “These grants enhance court-related programs, trauma-informed training, and resources, while also providing victims with specialized legal support. This includes assistance with securing protective orders and navigating complex family law matters. Collectively, these grants advance a more comprehensive approach, aimed at ensuring that survivors and their families don’t merely navigate our legal system, but genuinely find a path to justice and safety.”

These grants are just one way the U.S. Department of Justice partners with community organizations to support and protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Earlier this week, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in the 2023 POWER Act Conference hosted by the United States District Court and SCCADVASA. The conference provided attorneys, victim service professionals, and law enforcement officers with an overview of South Carolina’s civil protective orders and how they can trigger federal firearms prohibitions. A team of federal and state experts led a roundtable discussion on ways to improve collaboration between civil attorneys and criminal justice professionals to help protect victims from threats of gun violence.

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OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through implementing VAWA and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities nationwide that are developing programs, policies, and practices to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Melvin Roshad Simuel, 36, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana.

Evidence presented to the court showed that in 2018, Simuel was arrested on three separate occasions for possession of firearms and distribution quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana. Two of the guns had been reported stolen, and Simuel was on probation for a state firearm conviction at the time of the 2018 incidents.

Federal law prohibits Simuel from possessing firearms and ammunition based on prior state court burglary and firearms convictions. 

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Simuel to 90 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD), the Columbia Police Department (CPD), and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher D. Taylor is prosecuting the case.

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Larry Anthony Ladson, Sr., 52, of Fountain Inn, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of federal gun and drug offenses.

Ladson was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances including methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.

Evidence presented to the jury and the court showed that in January of 2020, officers with the Fountain Inn Police Department and deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office went to Ladson’s trailer to serve search and arrest warrants in connection with a violent crime. Upon entering the trailer, officers saw drugs in plain view, and after securing a search warrant, deputies found methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, as well as baggies, scales, cash, and other items indicative of drug trafficking. Deputies also discovered a loaded revolver in Ladson’s bedroom, which had previously been reported stolen. Ladson was charged by the state, but after being released on bond, law enforcement learned that he went right back to selling drugs.

Investigators with the Fountain Inn Police Department, the Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted surveillance and observed significant traffic to and from Ladson’s trailer. They also stopped and recovered drugs from several of Ladson’s customers. On September 9, 2020, law enforcement executed another search warrant at Ladson’s home. Once again, they found illegal drugs, cash, baggies, scales, and other tools of the drug trafficking trade. They also discovered a loaded gun hidden under Ladson’s pillow. After a police K9 alerted to an area near Ladson’s bedroom closet, investigators found a safe in a hidden compartment that had been cut into the floor. The safe contained significant amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as thousands of dollars in cash and additional ammunition.

The jury was presented with dozens of exhibits, including drugs, scales, packaging, multiple guns, ammunition, and even a microwave smeared with crack cocaine residue, which was recovered from Ladson’s bathroom. Jurors were also shown text message conversations with drug customers on Ladson’s cell phone and data from a home security system indicating that his front door was often opened over a hundred times a day during the period when investigators observed drug customers coming to and from his home.

After several days of trial, the jury convicted Ladson on all counts.

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Ladson to 204 months in prison, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fountain Inn Police Department, and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Schoen and Bill Watkins prosecuted the case for the United States.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Nina Bourret, 41, of Greenville, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false and fraudulent statements on claims submitted to Medicaid. 

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Bourret was an owner of Agapi Behavior Consultants, Inc., which provided Applied Behavior Analysis therapy to treat Autism Spectrum Disorder.  From February 2021 to December 2022, Bourret submitted electronic claims to Medicaid on behalf of Agapi falsely and fraudulently certifying that services had been rendered and/or certifying that services had been rendered in excess of what was actually provided to the beneficiary.

The investigation has revealed Bourret and Agapi submitted claims to Medicaid that contained false and fraudulent statements in excess of $900,000.00.

Bourret faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and 3 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.  Senior United States District Judge Henry Michael Herlong, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Bourret after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.

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WASHINGTON – A South Carolina man and woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, to a federal hate crime, conspiracy and other charges.

According to court documents, beginning in January 2021 and continuing through February 2021, Gabriel Brunson, 20, and Sierra Fletcher, 33, both of Columbia, conspired to target people the defendants identified as Mexican or Hispanic at places of public accommodation, including gas stations and grocery stores. After identifying these targets, the defendants would rob their victims at gunpoint. The defendants targeted their victims because of their victims’ race and national origin.

Both defendants admitted their involvement in a Jan. 22, 2021, armed robbery in which the defendants followed their victims from a grocery store and restaurant to their home, and then robbed the victims at gunpoint, stealing cash and a cellphone. Fletcher admitted to being involved in several other robberies on Jan. 30, 2021, including a carjacking and a home invasion robbery of other Hispanic victims. The defendants admitted to using guns during their crimes. 

The information to which Brunson and Fletcher pleaded guilty charges each of them with one hate crime for the Jan. 22, 2021, robbery of Hispanic victims. The information further charges Brunson and Fletcher with conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery and carrying firearms in connection with those crimes.

“These defendants targeted Hispanic victims for violent acts of armed robbery because of their race, national origin and perceived vulnerability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No person should have to fear for their lives or property because of their race or national origin. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who commit bias-motivated crimes.”

“Prosecuting civil rights crimes is a priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Federal law recognizes that crimes targeting people of a particular race or national origin is particularly egregious, and we stand ready to enforce the national hate crimes law here in South Carolina.”

“These were not crimes of opportunity. The defendants systematically robbed at gunpoint people whom they identified as Mexican or Hispanic,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Hate motived violence has no place in our country. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and promote a culture of safety and inclusivity in all the communities we serve.”

“The heinous crimes described in this case have no place in society,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office Steve Jensen. “The FBI is committed to seeking justice for crime victims while holding perpetrators accountable.”

The plea agreements require both defendants to pay restitution to all victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Richland County and Lexington County Sheriff’s Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Garner and Brook Andrews for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Don Everett Peters, III, a/k/a “Pop,” 21, and Shylik Lamont Smalls, a/k/a “Mitch,” 22, both of Columbia, and Elijah Rasue Dewayne Ellis, a/k/a “Smoke,” a/k/a “Black,” 21, of Valdosta, Georgia, have each been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the March 17, 2022, armed robbery of a United States Postal Letter Carrier in downtown Columbia.

Peters, Smalls, and Ellis each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit armed robbery of a United States Postal Letter Carrier, assault/armed robbery of a United States Postal Letter Carrier, and theft/possession of a United States Postal arrow key. Peters and Smalls also pleaded guilty to theft/possession of United States mail.

Evidence presented in court showed that on the afternoon of March 17, 2022, after surveilling another postal carrier in the Hollywood-Rose Hill/Rosewood area of Columbia, the trio decided to rob a letter carrier making his rounds on Hollywood Drive. While Peters waited in the getaway car, Smalls and Ellis—while wearing masks—approached the carrier. Ellis pointed a gun at the carrier and demanded his keys.  Peters then picked up the two co-conspirators and they fled the area.

After an extensive investigation, including review of numerous surveillance cameras and interviewing witnesses, law enforcement authorities linked the getaway vehicle to Peters. After a review of Peters’ prior encounters with law enforcement and cell phone records, postal inspectors were able to link Smalls to Peters. They determined that Smalls matched the description of one of the robbers, that both Smalls and Peters had access to firearms, and that Smalls was in possession of clothing matching the description of the clothing worn by one of the robbers.

Search warrants were obtained for Peters’ and Smalls’ apartments and vehicles and executed on May 4, 2022. Smalls was found with the stolen arrow key in his pants pocket. Investigators also recovered stolen mail, check making materials, several electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops, and two privately made firearms, which are commonly known as “ghost guns.” One ghost gun was found in Peters’ bedroom and the other in Smalls’ bedroom. Inside Peters’ car, Inspectors found documentation belonging to Ellis.

After waiving their rights, both Peters and Smalls admitted to being involved in the robbery, along with Ellis. Peters and Smalls were placed under arrest and a warrant was issued for Ellis. On May 31, 2022, Ellis was arrested in Valdosta, Georgia, where he was found in possession of a “ghost gun” and a quantity of marijuana. After advice of rights, Ellis admitted to being involved in the robbery with Peters and Smalls. All three have been in custody since their 2022 arrests.

“Make no mistake, we will bring all of our federal resources to bear when our postal carriers are robbed,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, “Postal carriers are an integral part of our communities, and we are thankful for the residents who provided critical information as a part of this investigation and those who stood by the carrier at the sentencing hearing.”

“The sentences imposed in this case exemplify the unending dedication of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to protect the employees of the United States Postal Service.  When our employees are victims of robberies and assaults, we do not stop until we identify those responsible,” said Tommy D. Coke, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. “We extend our appreciation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their support in this case.”

United States District Judge Mary Lewis Geiger sentenced Peters to 7 years in prison. Smalls and Ellis were each sentenced to 6 years in prison. Following their prison terms, each will be on supervised release for 3 years. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Columbia Police Department. Additionally, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Lowndes County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest of Ellis. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey D. Haynes and Lamar Fyall prosecuted the case.

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A South Carolina man and woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina, to a federal hate crime, conspiracy and other charges.

According to court documents, beginning in January 2021 and continuing through February 2021, Gabriel Brunson, 20, and Sierra Fletcher, 33, both of Columbia, conspired to target people the defendants identified as Mexican or Hispanic at places of public accommodation, including gas stations and grocery stores. After identifying these targets, the defendants would rob their victims at gunpoint. The defendants targeted their victims because of their victims’ race and national origin.

Both defendants admitted their involvement in a Jan. 22, 2021, armed robbery in which the defendants followed their victims from a grocery store and restaurant to their home, and then robbed the victims at gunpoint, stealing cash and a cellphone. Fletcher admitted to being involved in several other robberies on Jan. 30, 2021, including a carjacking and a home invasion robbery of other Hispanic victims. The defendants admitted to using guns during their crimes. 

The information to which Brunson and Fletcher pleaded guilty charges each of them with one hate crime for the Jan. 22, 2021, robbery of Hispanic victims. The information further charges Brunson and Fletcher with conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery and carrying firearms in connection with those crimes.

“These defendants targeted Hispanic victims for violent acts of armed robbery because of their race, national origin and perceived vulnerability,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No person should have to fear for their lives or property because of their race or national origin. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who commit bias-motivated crimes.”

“Prosecuting civil rights crimes is a priority for our office,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Federal law recognizes that crimes targeting people of a particular race or national origin is particularly egregious, and we stand ready to enforce the national hate crimes law here in South Carolina.”

“These were not crimes of opportunity. The defendants systematically robbed at gunpoint people whom they identified as Mexican or Hispanic,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Hate motived violence has no place in our country. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and promote a culture of safety and inclusivity in all the communities we serve.”

The plea agreements require both defendants to pay restitution to all victims. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Richland County and Lexington County Sherriff’s Departments.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Garner and Brook Andrews for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Charles Donald Butler, 57, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that for several years, Butler ran a drug distribution ring in the Myrtle Beach area. Butler served as a source of supply to intermediate distributors, who in turn sold to drug users from a trailer in Myrtle Beach. In the mornings, Butler would supply his distributors with “slips” of drugs – small quantities of drugs packaged in foil wrappers. Butler used this system so he could tell whether his distributors were stealing any of the drugs. In the evenings, Butler would pick up from the trailer money earned from drug dealing and any leftover “slips.”

Over the course of the conspiracy, Butler was accountable for more than 600 grams of heroin, 78 grams of crack cocaine, and quantities of both cocaine and fentanyl.

In May of 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Butler’s home. Inside, they found various controlled substances, foil slips, and a .380 caliber handgun and ammunition.

“Drugs and guns are a deadly combination, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting South Carolinians from the dangers they bring to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We are thankful for the efforts of our local, county, and federal law enforcement partners, whose tireless work dismantled Charles Butler’s drug trafficking ring.”

“Drug trafficking is a serious offense that has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families and communities,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Columbia Field Office. “With this sentence, it is our hope that Myrtle Beach residents can better enjoy life knowing that another drug dealer and another illegally possessed gun is off the streets. The FBI and its law enforcement partners remain committed to fostering an environment where illegal drug activities have no place.”

“Thanks to our resources, collaborative efforts and the work of our local partners, another dangerous criminal is off the streets,” said Brennan Cavanagh, Public Information Officer, Horry County Sheriff’s Office. “We continue to take proactive measures to protect the community from illegal drugs.”

“This was a major investigation into a case that directly impacted our local community. Our team received numerous complaints about the activities Mr. Butler was engaging in and about the results of those activities. Our team and our community wanted to see justice served,” said Corporal Christopher Starling, Public Information Officer, Myrtle Beach Police Department. “We are appreciative of the partnerships we have with our federal and local law enforcement agencies that led to this result. Myrtle Beach Police Department will continue to fight to make sure individuals that bring this poison into our community are held accountable and are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Butler to 123 months in prison, to be followed by a 6-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Myrtle Beach Police Department, and Horry County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — James Oscar Williams, 60, has been sentenced to federal prison for unlawfully prescribing pills while practicing as a family doctor in Columbia.  Evidence presented to the court showed that between January 2015 and November 2019, Williams unlawfully prescribed David and Jennifer Mozingo well over 100,000 pills of various controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, dextroamphetamine, and alprazolam. 

Williams pleaded guilty to unlawfully distributing oxycodone and alprazolam while practicing as a medical doctor, and his medical license was revoked.  Senior United States District Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced him to 60 months in federal prison, with a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision to follow. 

Both David and Jennifer Mozingo pleaded guilty to drug and firearm offenses and admitted to selling most of the pills they were prescribed by Williams.  They were previously sentenced to 111 and 33 months in prison, respectively. There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Columbia Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike O’Mara prosecuted the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Brian Leroy Watson, a/k/a “Lil B,” a/k/a “B,” 51, of Blythewood, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Distribution of Heroin.  Ryan Darian Grover, 29, of Barnwell, was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Human Trafficking Conspiracy.

Evidence presented to the court showed that between 2016 and 2020, Watson trafficked at least 9 victims – 8 adults and 1 minor – into the commercial sex trade.  Watson also distributed heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine.  He operated out of Blythewood, South Carolina.

Watson targeted victims with particular vulnerabilities, including heroin and methamphetamine addictions and physical and mental impairments.  One victim was homeless, and other victims were teenagers while Watson was in his 40s.

Watson obtained commercial sex from his victims through sexual violence, including non-consensual sex.  He used physical violence, including slapping, hitting, and punching victims.  Victims also saw Watson pistol whip customers.  Watson used physical restraint, including by prohibiting victims from leaving his home until they worked for him in commercial sex.  He used threats, including by telling one victim he would shoot up her house.  Numerous victims saw Watson armed with a firearm.  He used fraud, including by manufacturing false debts.  And he used drug-based coercion, including by manipulating victims’ heroin and methamphetamine withdrawal symptoms.  Watson then confiscated between 50% and 100% of the commercial sex proceeds. 

On one jail call recited in court, Watson said, “They do what I tell them, that’s why I like drug addicts, I love them, I love them, I love them.”  Watson has more than 50 prior convictions.

Grover lived with Watson for a portion of time between 2016 and 2020 and assisted Watson by driving victims to commercial sex acts, by negotiating with customers, and by distributing drugs.

At sentencing, the parents of three victims addressed the Court, and written statements from additional victims were presented. 

“Human trafficking is a grave violation of survivors’ dignity and freedom,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs.  “Our office will continue to make our state a more dangerous place for traffickers to operate and a safer place for survivors.  We thank the law enforcement agencies and service providers who partner with us, and we recognize the great courage of the survivors in this case who came forward.”

“Watson’s heinous actions have caused long-lasting trauma to his victims,” Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office said. “No sentence will erase the damage that he has caused, but it is our hope that victims find solace in knowing he can no longer cause them harm. The FBI, along with our partners at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, stand firm in our determination to protect vulnerable citizens from dangerous predators.”

“Criminals like Watson should know that if they choose to harm our children, they will not escape justice,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. “We are pleased with this sentence and will continue to prosecute those who abuse our young people.”

“I am thankful for the successful partnerships we have in combating sex trafficking crime,” said Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan. “Our communities are safer with these types of criminals behind bars.”

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Watson to 25 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision, plus $45,000 in restitution to be paid to 9 victims.  Grover was sentenced to 41 months in prison, to be followed by lifetime supervision by the court. There is no parole in the federal system.  Watson and Grover also must register as sex offenders upon release from prison.  

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels is prosecuting the case.

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WASHINGTON – The 40th and final defendant prosecuted as part of the District of South Carolina’s case against the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a branch of the nationwide Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today.

“The incarcerated leadership of the IGD maintained the gang’s lucrative drug enterprise by ordering murders and terrorizing neighborhoods throughout South Carolina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This vertical prosecution of 40 gang leaders, members, and associates has disrupted the criminal enterprise both inside and outside of prison. The case demonstrates the Department’s resolve to pursue and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate.”

According to court documents, the IGD was a sprawling criminal enterprise that included inmates within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) who were gang leaders and used contraband cell phones to orchestrate murders, kidnappings, gun trafficking, and an international drug operation. James Robert Peterson, 35, of Gaffney; Edward Gary Akridge, 31, of Greenville; Matthew J. Ward, 39, of Lexington; and Juan Rodriguez, 43, of Woodruff, orchestrated the crimes from inside SCDC where they were inmates. IGD also included non-incarcerated members who committed crimes outside the prison system. In South Carolina, IGD was divided into three primary “sets,” each with its own leader.

“Contraband cellphones allowed gang leaders to perpetuate violence, traffic guns, and run an international drug operation from behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Through a years-long, multi-agency partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement, we have dismantled this criminal enterprise and held accountable both the incarcerated defendants and those who enabled them. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute inmates who use contraband phones to continue their criminal conduct from prison.”

Since the initial indictment in this case, all charged defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute, or to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics (including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl). Ten defendants were charged with either VICAR murder or kidnapping resulting in death – all of whom pleaded guilty as charged.

Nineteen of the 40 defendants in the case were sentenced on racketeering charges to the following prison terms:

• Peterson, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and kidnapping resulting in death.
• Ward, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Akridge, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
• Aaron Michael Carrion, 31, of Lexington, a member of and enforcer for IGD, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
• Aaron Corey Sprouse, 31, of Gaffney, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR kidnapping.
• Arian Grace Jeane, 29, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Cynthia Rooks, 55, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Lisa Marie Bolton, 35, of Dallas, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Jonathan Eugene Merchant, 30 of Laurens, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Joshua Lee Scott Brown, 25, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Alex Blake Payne, 31, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Virginia Ruth Ryall, 46, of Gastonia, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Sally Williams Burgess, 40, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Jennifer Sorgee, 39, of Easley, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Heather Henderson Orrick, 36, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Crystal Nicole Bright, 43, of Lexington, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Lisa Marie Costello, 46, of Gaffney, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Amber Hoffman, 39, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Clifford Kyzer, 38, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.

Twenty-one other defendants in this case have also been sentenced to charges stemming from the IGD’s far-reaching narcotics organization after pleading guilty to narcotics distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and/or firearms offenses and related charges. The following are those defendants and their prison terms:

• Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Samuel Dexter Judy, 31, of Lexington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kelly Jordan, 37, of Williamston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Richard Ford, 65, of Lexington, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and related charges.
• Brian Bruce, 51, of West Columbia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Montana Barefoot, 28, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• John Johnson, 39, of Gaston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kelly Still, 46, of Windsor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Benjamin Singleton, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kyla Mattoni, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and related charges.
• Alexia Youngblood, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Rebecca Martinez, 36, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Mark Edward Slusher, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Robert Figueroa, 46, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Britney Shae Stephens, 35, of Anderson, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Matthew Edward Clark, 44, of York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Catherine Amanda Ross, 31, of Gaffney, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting kidnapping.
• Brandon Lee Phillips, 39, of Gaffney, was sentenced to time served after serving approximately four years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Billy Wayne Ruppe, 58, of Gaffney, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Windy Brooke George, 24, of Gaffney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Tiffanie Brooks, 39, of Columbia, was sentenced to over three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

In connection with the investigation and prosecution of this case, law enforcement seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 130 firearms, and various quantities of heroin and fentanyl.

“ATF joined our local, state, and federal partners in a very dedicated and focused effort to make a long-lasting impact on the level of gun violence and gang activity in South Carolina,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We brought some extremely dangerous individuals to justice and recovered over a hundred firearms from a criminal organization intent on harming our communities. Disrupting these major criminal networks will have a significant impact on public safety across the state.”

“This sentence marks the end of an era for a violent organization responsible for a multitude of criminal activities across South Carolina that negatively impacted the way of life for many communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling complex criminal enterprises and ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.”

The case is the result of a multi-agency effort to dismantle the IGD by the ATF, FBI, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team SCDC, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office provided valuable assistance.

Trial Attorney Rebecca Dunnan and Principal Deputy Kim S. Dammers of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Holloway for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case. Attorneys Brandon B. Hinton, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Lisa K. Man, formerly of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, also assisted with the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Justice Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Tiffany McFadden, 40, of Brooklyn, New York, and Port St. Lucie, Florida, was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison for leading a multi-million-dollar PPP fraud scheme out of South Carolina while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee.

McFadden was charged in the District of South Carolina for her role in a national fraud scheme related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized the PPP program to provide emergency economic relief to businesses suffering economic harm during as a result of the pandemic.

According to evidence presented in court, McFadden was the leader of a scheme responsible more than 400 fraudulent PPP loan applications, the majority of which were for applicants in the South Carolina towns of Kingstree, Johnsonville, and Hemingway. 

McFadden and her co-conspirators manufactured false and fraudulent documents claiming businesses that in truth did not exist and did not lose money due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result, McFadden and others received more than $2,000,000 in loans, often approximately $20,000 at a time, that they were not entitled to. Those loans were later fully forgiven by the U.S. Government. 

McFadden and others recruited loan applications by word of mouth, manufactured false and fraudulent tax and business documents, and then applied for and obtained forgiveness for the loans.  In exchange for her services, McFadden received a portion of the fraudulently obtained funds.

Every dollar stolen from the PPP program was stolen from legitimate businesses who needed support during unprecedented challenges facing our country,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs.  “This scheme took advantage of the public’s generosity by stealing millions from taxpayers.  We thank our law enforcement partners for bringing accountability in this case.”

“The Secret Service is committed to investigating and pursuing those who engage in fraudulent activity,” said Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service’s Columbia Field Office Donald Long. “Thanks to the hard work of our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s office, this sentencing reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and should act as a warning to anyone who thinks they can exploit financial assistance programs without consequence.”

United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III sentenced McFadden to 37 months in federal prison, a sentence that took into account McFadden’s leadership role in such a sophisticated scheme. Her sentence will be followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. In addition to her prison term, the court ordered McFadden to pay $2,191.257 in restitution to the Small Business Administration. 

Felony charges remain pending against two co-defendants at this time: Cherry Lewis, 43, a U.S. Postal Service employee from Johnsonville, South Carolina; and Keisha Lewis, 33, a U.S. Postal Service employee from Hemingway, South Carolina.

Any member of the public who has information related to scheme is encouraged to contact the Columbia, South Carolina, field office of the U.S. Secret Service at 803-772-4015.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Small Business Administration, the Florence County Sheriff's Office, and the Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Winston Marosek, who also serves as the Office’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator, are prosecuting the case. 

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Kelly Brosky, 44, of Myrtle Beach, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that in 2021, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating a possible clandestine pill pressing operation out of Myrtle Beach after learning that multiple pill press machines were sent to Brosky and her co-defendant’s home.  Law enforcement conducted surveillance operations, which led to them executing a search warrant at the home on March 9, 2022. 

Agents seized over 6,000 pills, approximately $293,000 in cash, and other valuables.  Financial records showed that Brosky and her co-conspirators transferred thousands of dollars in drug proceeds to and from their Cash App accounts.

Brosky faces a minimum term of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least 5 years of court-ordered supervision after the service of imprisonment.  United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III, accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Brosky after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Horry County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major is prosecuting the case.

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GREENWOOD, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jeremy John Smith, 35, of Greenwood, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that on August 11, 2022, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Greenwood Police Department and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Smith’s home on Sumpter Street in Greenwood.  Law enforcement seized fentanyl, cocaine base, methamphetamine, and cocaine as well as digital scales and a large amount of cash.  Additionally, officers recovered a shotgun and two pistols in the same room where they found narcotics.   

Federal law prohibits Smith from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior convictions for assault and battery first degree, burglary second degree, and common law robbery. 

United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted Smith’s guilty plea, which contained a stipulation by the parties that Smith should be sentenced to 15 years in prison on both the drug charge and gun charge, with the sentences to run concurrently.  Smith will be sentenced in a separate hearing after the preparation of a presentence report by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Greenwood Police Department, and the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Major, Max Cauthen, and Everett McMillian are prosecuting the case.

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The 40th and final defendant prosecuted as part of the District of South Carolina’s case against the Insane Gangster Disciples (IGD), a branch of the nationwide Folk Nation gang, was sentenced today.

“The incarcerated leadership of the IGD maintained the gang’s lucrative drug enterprise by ordering murders and terrorizing neighborhoods throughout South Carolina,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This vertical prosecution of 40 gang leaders, members, and associates has disrupted the criminal enterprise both inside and outside of prison. The case demonstrates the Department’s resolve to pursue and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate.”

According to court documents, the IGD was a sprawling criminal enterprise that included inmates within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) who were gang leaders and used contraband cell phones to orchestrate murders, kidnappings, gun trafficking, and an international drug operation. James Robert Peterson, 35, of Gaffney; Edward Gary Akridge, 31, of Greenville; Matthew J. Ward, 39, of Lexington; and Juan Rodriguez, 43, of Woodruff, orchestrated the crimes from inside SCDC where they were inmates. IGD also included non-incarcerated members who committed crimes outside the prison system. In South Carolina, IGD was divided into three primary “sets,” each with its own leader.

“Contraband cellphones allowed gang leaders to perpetuate violence, traffic guns, and run an international drug operation from behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Through a years-long, multi-agency partnership with state, local, and federal law enforcement, we have dismantled this criminal enterprise and held accountable both the incarcerated defendants and those who enabled them. We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute inmates who use contraband phones to continue their criminal conduct from prison.”

Since the initial indictment in this case, all charged defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute, or to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics (including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl). Ten defendants were charged with either VICAR murder or kidnapping resulting in death – all of whom pleaded guilty as charged.

Nineteen of the 40 defendants in the case were sentenced on racketeering charges to the following prison terms:

• Peterson, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and kidnapping resulting in death.
• Ward, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Akridge, the leader of a gang set within IGD, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
• Aaron Michael Carrion, 31, of Lexington, a member of and enforcer for IGD, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR murder.
• Aaron Corey Sprouse, 31, of Gaffney, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and VICAR kidnapping.
• Arian Grace Jeane, 29, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy and aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Cynthia Rooks, 55, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Lisa Marie Bolton, 35, of Dallas, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Jonathan Eugene Merchant, 30 of Laurens, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Joshua Lee Scott Brown, 25, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting VICAR murder.
• Alex Blake Payne, 31, of Greenville, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Virginia Ruth Ryall, 46, of Gastonia, North Carolina, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Sally Williams Burgess, 40, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Jennifer Sorgee, 39, of Easley, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Heather Henderson Orrick, 36, of Greenville, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Crystal Nicole Bright, 43, of Lexington, a member of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Lisa Marie Costello, 46, of Gaffney, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Amber Hoffman, 39, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.
• Clifford Kyzer, 38, of Lexington, an associate of IGD, was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to RICO conspiracy.

Twenty-one other defendants in this case have also been sentenced to charges stemming from the IGD’s far-reaching narcotics organization after pleading guilty to narcotics distribution conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, and/or firearms offenses and related charges. The following are those defendants and their prison terms:

• Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Samuel Dexter Judy, 31, of Lexington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kelly Jordan, 37, of Williamston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Richard Ford, 65, of Lexington, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and related charges.
• Brian Bruce, 51, of West Columbia, was sentenced to four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Montana Barefoot, 28, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• John Johnson, 39, of Gaston, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kelly Still, 46, of Windsor, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Benjamin Singleton, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Kyla Mattoni, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, and related charges.
• Alexia Youngblood, 41, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Rebecca Martinez, 36, of Lexington, was sentenced to five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Mark Edward Slusher, 49, of Lexington, was sentenced to over seven years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Robert Figueroa, 46, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Britney Shae Stephens, 35, of Anderson, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Matthew Edward Clark, 44, of York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Catherine Amanda Ross, 31, of Gaffney, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting kidnapping.
• Brandon Lee Phillips, 39, of Gaffney, was sentenced to time served after serving approximately four years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Billy Wayne Ruppe, 58, of Gaffney, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Windy Brooke George, 24, of Gaffney, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
• Tiffanie Brooks, 39, of Columbia, was sentenced to over three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

In connection with the investigation and prosecution of this case, law enforcement seized approximately 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 130 firearms, and various quantities of heroin and fentanyl.

“ATF joined our local, state, and federal partners in a very dedicated and focused effort to make a long-lasting impact on the level of gun violence and gang activity in South Carolina,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian Mein of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “We brought some extremely dangerous individuals to justice and recovered over a hundred firearms from a criminal organization intent on harming our communities. Disrupting these major criminal networks will have a significant impact on public safety across the state.”

“This sentence marks the end of an era for a violent organization responsible for a multitude of criminal activities across South Carolina that negatively impacted the way of life for many communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to dismantling complex criminal enterprises and ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.”

The case is the result of a multi-agency effort to dismantle the IGD by the ATF, FBI, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team SCDC, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office provided valuable assistance.

Trial Attorney Rebecca Dunnan and Principal Deputy Kim S. Dammers of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Holloway for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case. Attorneys Brandon B. Hinton, formerly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Lisa K. Man, formerly of the Organized Crime and Gang Section, also assisted with the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Justice Department’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darrell Akeem Sanders, 32, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Evidence presented to the court showed that, on September 12, 2019, a Deputy with Richland County Sheriff’s Department made a traffic stop on a car in which Sanders was the front seat passenger. In a search of the car, law enforcement found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun under the seat where Sanders had been sitting and a pill bottle containing approximately 4 grams of crack cocaine in the center console. Sanders admitted both the crack and the gun were his.

Additional investigation revealed Sanders was a distributor in a drug trafficking conspiracy operating in and around Columbia. Over the course of two years, Sanders helped distribute more than 3 kilograms of crack cocaine as well as quantities of both cocaine and fentanyl.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Sanders to 157 months in prison followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision]. There is no parole in the federal system.  

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

This case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jeffrey Wilson Walker, 35, of Columbia was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 16, 2021, an officer with the City of Columbia Police Department responded to a call involving Walker. When the initial officer arrived, he found Walker asleep in the driver’s seat of a stationary car that had crashed into a mailbox. The driver’s side window was down, and the officer saw a firearm in Walker’s lap. The officer removed the loaded gun from Walker’s lap, and when other officers arrived, they attempted to wake Walker up.

Once Walker was awake, he appeared to be intoxicated and refused to get out of the car after multiple commands from officers. The officers used OC spray and physically removed Walker from the car. After Walker was removed from the vehicle, the officers called EMS to treat Walker for the OC spray. During an inventory search of Walker’s car, law enforcement found another handgun in a bag.

Federal law prohibits Walker from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior conviction for Armed Robbery.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Walker to 37 months in prison, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.

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