District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney A. Lance Crick announced today that Shawkeem Reese, 20, of Columbia, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of carjacking.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on June 29, 2019, Reese approached a victim seated in a Chrysler 300 vehicle parked near the Greenview area of Columbia.  Reese then brandished a loaded firearm and directed the victim to exit the vehicle. Reese entered the vehicle and drove away.  Minutes later, Columbia Police Department officers saw the car traveling on West Beltline Boulevard and began pursuit.  Reese led officers in a high-speed chase, accelerating up to 110 miles per hour.  Ultimately, Reese crashed the vehicle into three parked cars at a used car lot and fled on foot.  Officers quickly apprehended Reese and located a firearm in the Chrysler 300.

Federal law prohibits Reese from possessing firearms based on his prior state convictions for burglary and assault and battery. 

Senior United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie, of Columbia, sentenced Reese to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Reese was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Columbia Police Department. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorneys Alyssa Leigh Richardson and Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office prosecuted the case. 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney A. Lance Crick announced that McKinley Earl Morant, age 35, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison followed by a three-year term of supervised release after pleading guilty in September 2019 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie imposed the sentence.

Evidence presented in court established that during the evening of April 17, 2018, Columbia Police Department (CPD) officers were investigating a shooting incident near Elmwood Avenue and Two Notch Road and received a description of a car possibly involved in the incident. A CPD officer saw a car matching the description and followed it to a nearby gas station parking lot. Morant parked the vehicle, got out and walked inside the gas station. Morant was initially arrested inside the gas station for failing to follow police commands. Officers saw a .45 caliber pistol lying on the driver’s side floorboard of the car that Morant was driving. Officers then searched the car and found several methamphetamine pills, a quantity of marijuana, a digital scale and a box of .45 caliber ammunition in addition to the pistol.   

Morant was convicted of five counts of armed robbery in 2002 as well as unlawful possession of a controlled substance in 2016 and is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Morant was also on bond for a stalking charge from Laurens, South Carolina at the time of this offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor prosecuted the case. 

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

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Florence, South Carolina --- Acting United States Attorney A. Lance Crick announced today that Gregory Bernard Gibson, 44, of Florence, was sentenced to nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances following a 2-day jury trial.  The case arose from a traffic stop conducted by deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office’s (FCSO) Proactive Community Enforcement (PACE) Team. 

Evidence presented at trial showed that on July 27, 2018, the PACE Team was patrolling a high-crime area on the east side of Florence when Gibson’s vehicle pulled out in front of a deputy’s unmarked vehicle, failing to yield the right-of-way.  The deputy initiated a traffic stop on Gibson’s car based on the traffic violation.  When he approached the car, the deputy immediately smelled the odor of marijuana, and Gibson stated that he had a small, personal-use quantity of the substance in his vehicle. 

Based on the odor of marijuana, deputies searched the car.  Once inside, they found what amounted to a mobile drug distribution center.   There was a loaded, .45 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol in the center console.  Federal law prohibits Gibson from possessing a firearm based on several prior federal and state convictions for drugs and other offenses.    Directly behind the center console and in front of a child car seat, deputies found a backpack containing distribution quantities of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana; a bottle of a “cutting agent” drug dealers mix with drugs before they are sold to increase the amount the user thinks he is buying; multiple plastic baggies used to package drugs for sale; and a digital scale containing cocaine and marijuana residue. 

Hidden inside a void underneath the cup holder area, deputies found a large piece of crack cocaine and 300 tablets of methamphetamine.  After assimilating the large quantity of drugs and firearm evidence, the PACE team partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to bring the case to federal court for prosecution. 

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis of Columbia sentenced Gibson to 262 months in federal prison, to be followed by a six-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

“Across South Carolina, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with local law enforcement agencies to focus on the career criminals, like Mr. Gibson, who pose the greatest threat to our safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Crick.  “We are grateful to Sheriff Barnes, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office PACE Team, and ATF for their continued efforts to reduce violent crime in our community.” 

“This agency has a long and proud history of cooperation with our state and federal law enforcement partners to protect our communities from the scourge of illegal narcotics,” Sheriff Billy Barnes stated.  “We deeply appreciate the splendid efforts of the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help us remove dangerous criminals from our streets.” 

The PACE team is a specially trained group of deputies that operates under the umbrella of the Special Operations division of the FCSO.  PACE team deputies are tasked with patrolling high-crime areas of Florence County and engaging with individuals who present a higher-than-normal risk to the community, such as drug dealers and violent criminals.  PACE team members also work alongside federal partners to bring cases to federal court when they involve career criminals or especially significant crimes.  Through dedicating resources to specialized groups such as the PACE Team, the FCSO is able to be an effective partner with federal agencies. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Hummel and Everett McMillian of the Florence office prosecuted the case. 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney A. Lance Crick announced today that Justice Towan Roundtree, 27, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia imposed the sentence.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented in court established that on February 7, 2019, an officer with the West Columbia Police Department conducted a traffic stop on North Street in West Columbia after seeing the driver of the vehicle commit a traffic violation. The officer made contact with the driver and noticed the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The backseat passenger, after giving the officer false identification, was determined to be Roundtree.  A search of the vehicle uncovered a quantity of marijuana, three handgun magazines, and 238 rounds of miscellaneous ammunition.  During an officer pat-down of Roundtree, a fully loaded Kel-Tec P32 .32 caliber handgun was found concealed on his person.  Approximately two grams of crack and a quantity of marijuana and Xanax pills were also located on his person.  Roundtree was arrested on state charges and thereafter, a federal warrant was issued. 

Federal law prohibits Roundtree from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for strong armed robbery and burglary second degree.  At the time of the current offense, Roundtree was on state probation.  Roundtree is a validated member of a street gang.    

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey Rankin Smith of the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.

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Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Donna Faye Shird, age 41, and Felicia Renee Shird, age 42, both of Florence, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to aid in the preparation and filing of false federal income tax returns.  Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the pleas and will impose sentence after he has received and reviewed sentencing reports prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Donna and Felicia Shird operated a business known as Donna’s Income Tax Service, which provided tax preparation and filing services for customers.  During the period from 2012 and 2017, both Donna and Felicia began routinely adding fictitious information to the personal tax returns of customers to artificially increase the amount of tax refund the customers would receive from the IRS.  Investigators discovered that customers of Donna’s Income Tax Service provided correct tax related information to Donna or Felicia with the expectation that they would accurately prepare and file the returns for the customers.  Instead, the Shirds would create returns which falsely claimed deductions, credits, exemptions, and other tax benefits to which the taxpayers were not entitled.  Falsely claimed items included child and dependent care credits, business profits and losses, education credits, residential energy credits, and earned income credits.  As a result, customers received fraudulently inflated tax refunds and Donna’s Income Tax Service attracted more customers based on their reputation for producing such large refunds.  The illegal operations of Donna’s Income Tax Service, and the fraudulent conduct by Donna and Felicia Shird, resulted in a significant loss of tax revenue for the United States Government.          

Donna and Felicia Shird a subject to a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.00. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA –United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA) and the Strom Thurmond Foundation, hosted the 36th annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon at the Lexington Two Innovation Center in Cayce. Approximately 150 state, local, and federal law enforcement officials from across the state attended the awards luncheon.

The following South Carolina law enforcement officers received the 2019 awards:

City – Chief Terrence Green, Lexington Police Department

County – Sergeant Randy Clinton, York County Sheriff’s Office

Federal – Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Michael Connelly, Federal Bureau of Investigation

State – Deputy Director Brian Joseph Bolchoz, South Carolina Department of Corrections

The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performance demonstrates the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement.  An annual award is given in each of four categories: (1) City Officer; (2) County Officer; (3) State Officer; and (4) Federal Officer.  An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with a police chief and sheriff who have received the award, selected the recipients from nominations received from across the state.

U.S. Attorney Lydon stated, "These four outstanding officers exemplify the best in law enforcement. They serving their agencies, this state, and our nation day in and day out with distinction, integrity, and character.  Like all of our fine men and women in uniform, they make tremendous personal sacrifices to ensure just enforcement.”

City Recipient

Terrence Green – Chief, Lexington Police Department

Chief Green began his career in law enforcement at the University of South Carolina Police Department as a reserve police officer.  After graduating from USC, he joined the Town of Lexington Police Department in 1993.  He quickly rose through the ranks to become Assistant Police Chief.  Chief Green was appointed Chief of Police of the Town of Lexington Police Department on October 2, 2006. 

Chief Green embraces the community policing concept and strives to solve problems by building a partnership with the community that he serves.  “Despite his considerable achievements, Chief Green has maintained a reputation of both personal integrity and humility.  He is a role model for all law enforcement officers to emulate,” said Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

Chief Green has a BA in Criminal Justice and an MPA from Strayer University.  He has also earned several other accreditations from the FBI National Academy and the Law Enforcement Executive Development Program.  Chief Green and his wife Melinda have three children and are active members of the Brookland Baptist Church.

County Recipient

Randy Clinton – Sergeant, York County Sheriff’s Office

Sergeant Randy Clinton began his career in 1984 and became involved in canine handling at the York County Sheriff’s Office in 1988.  During his tenure as a canine team member and leader at the York County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Clinton has been personally involved in over 4000 tracks resulting in approximately 2500 locates or captures.  These incidents have ranged from missing vulnerable persons, to persons eluding law enforcement for simple crimes to murders. Sergeant Clinton is recognized not only in the State of South Carolina, but nationwide as an expert in human and bloodhound tracking. 

He has been instrumental in coordinating and hosting an annual York County Bloodhound Tracking School for 19 years.  He has instituted a bloodhound breeding program that has provided over 75 bloodhounds to agencies across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia.

In January 2018, Sergeant Clinton nearly gave the ultimate sacrifice while tracking a violent domestic offender and was seriously shot and wounded along with 3 other officers.  His positive attitude and outlook in the following days and months inspired and helped the healing process for those affected, as well as the community. 

“It is without fail that Sergeant Clinton comes through for those in need. It is the act to which his life’s focus has been, though he remains humble in his actions of service and sacrifice,” said The Honorable Bruce M. Bryant, Representative, District 48, South Carolina House of Representatives.

Federal Recipient

Michael Connelly - Supervisory Senior Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Prior to joining the FBI, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Mike Connelly served in the U.S. Army for almost ten years, including a combat tour in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division. In his 20-year FBI career, SSRA Connelly has served in several investigative and leadership assignments to include four tours to war zones in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

As the Supervisory Senior Resident Agent for the Myrtle Beach and Florence Resident Agencies (RAs), SSRA Connelly is responsible for all aspects of both RAs. As the senior FBI official in Myrtle Beach, he understands the priorities of local law enforcement leaders and utilizes the FBI's sophisticated and technological capabilities to support those agencies. SSRA Connelly leads and actively contributes as a case Agent.  He is the lead investigator on Myrtle Beach's largest Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation in over a decade, which charged 33 defendants. He planned and coordinated 27 simultaneous arrests of violent offenders by leveraging relationships with 125 state and local officers. He led two investigations in Myrtle Beach resulting in the conviction of over 60 gang subjects involved in trafficking heroin and fentanyl. He supplemented his FBI resources by building three separate federal task forces to combat violent crime, terrorism, and human trafficking.  He led two separate death penalty investigations, and also led the FBI's response in Florence to a police officer shooting where two officers were killed and five more officers severely wounded. 

“No matter the task, Mike performs his duties both as a supervisory special agent and as a case agent with unmatched skill, integrity, and effectiveness. He is relentless. He is making a difference. I find myself just trying to keep up with him. The people of Myrtle Beach and its surrounding areas are safer because of Mike Connelly,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.

“We are proud to see Senior Supervisory Resident Agent Mike Connelly recognized for his outstanding accomplishments.  He is also an exceptional leader and that has been demonstrated by the remarkable work done by his FBI colleagues in conjunction with our federal, state and local partners in and around Myrtle Beach.  SSRA Connelly has dedicated his adult life to serving his country by way of being an officer in the U.S. Army and now as an FBI Special Agent.  We all should be grateful to have him on our team here in South Carolina,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris.

State Recipient

Brian Joseph Bolchoz - Deputy Director, South Carolina Department of Corrections

Brian Bolchoz is the Deputy Director of Police Services for the South Carolina Department of Corrections with over 24 years of law enforcement experience.  His previous positions include serving nine years with the Mount Pleasant Police Department; three years as a special investigator with the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office; and seven years with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division as a criminal investigator and lieutenant.  Since joining the Department of Corrections, Deputy Director Bolchoz has used his knowledge and relationships built throughout his career to reorganize the Division of Police Services in order to successfully handle the criminal and administrative investigative needs of the Department of Corrections.

Since joining the Department of Corrections, Deputy Director Bolchoz increased the number of Class 1 Law Enforcement Officers from 22 to 46 to better meet the needs of the agency and to better protect its staff and inmates and the public. Additionally, contraband cell phones have been a dangerous tool that inmates utilize to continue their criminal behavior from behind bars.  Deputy Director  Bolchoz took this public safety threat seriously and created a criminal analyst section for monitoring activities of the inmate population.  This important addition has allowed SCDC Police Services to become an intelligence focal point for local, state, and federal authorities in an effort to combat criminal activity related to criminal gangs and their related enterprises inside and outside the walls of SCDC. 

“It is rare to find such a dedicated and determined law enforcement officer such as Deputy Director Bolchoz.  He works continuously to help our State continue to be a safer place for future generations,” said SCDC Director Bryan P. Stirling.

Deputy Director Bolchoz earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice from the College of Charleston. He is a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, and the South Carolina Correctional Association.

 

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon announced today that James C. Edgerton, IV, age 35, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.  Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, sentenced Edgerton to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

Evidence presented in the case established that Edgerton organized the transportation, packaging, and distribution of significant quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.  The drugs were purchased in the Atlanta area and then distributed throughout the Columbia area by Edgerton and his associates.  During the course of the investigation, Edgerton admitted to purchasing 15 kilograms of ice from an individual in Atlanta.  The evidence also showed that Edgerton was responsible for having multiple kilograms of heroin brought from Atlanta to the Columbia area for distribution.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, City of Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office and former Assistant United States Attorney Bill Day of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Randall G. Scott,  age 50, of Richland County, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.  Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Scott to 30 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented to the court established that on December 4, 2017, Richland County deputies arrived at Old Hopkins Road and Garners Ferry Road in Richland County in reference to a subject sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle while the vehicle was running and in drive on the roadway.  The deputies made contact with the driver, who was asleep behind the wheel.  After waking the driver, deputies smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle.  The deputies then asked the driver for his driver’s license.  The driver stated he did not have one.  Officers discovered his license was suspended.  The driver was then arrested.

Deputies searched the vehicle and discovered a loaded Glock Model 27 pistol in the center armrest of the vehicle.  A DNA test indicated that the driver’s DNA was on the pistol.  Also inside of the vehicle, deputies discovered a small black bag in an open space under the radio.  Inside of the bag, deputies discovered a clear bag with a rock-like substance in it, which was suspected to be crack cocaine.  Deputies also discovered several small bindles of suspected heroin.

Deputies discovered that the vehicle was registered to Randall Scott.  Scott was contacted and asked why his vehicle was in the driver’s possession.   Scott’s response was he did not know, but he would find out.  

Thereafter, ATF agents interviewed the driver.  The driver stated Scott gave the Glock firearm found in the vehicle to him for his protection.  The driver admitted that he sold drugs and that the drugs in the car were his.  During subsequent interviews, the driver admitted to using cocaine and methamphetamine with Scott.  The driver pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and is cooperating with the Government.  He admitted that he and Scott used drugs together and that he has seen Scott with drugs.

On April 2, 2018, Scott was taken to the hospital for a medical condition.  His medical records indicated that he tested positive for cocaine, amphetamine, and opiates.  His records indicate he was diagnosed with an illness which was related to cocaine abuse and methamphetamine abuse.  

On July 18, 2018, the U.S. Marshals executed an arrest warrant at Scott’s house looking for a fugitive.  During the execution of the search warrant, they found a large number of guns in the house.  They also found a small amount of methamphetamine.  One of the persons in the house, identified in court records as J.O., told the officers that she and Scott had just done methamphetamine before the police arrived and that Scott had more methamphetamine on him before the police entered the house.  The police obtained the surveillance video from inside of the house, and it appears that Scott and J.O. had entered a bedroom just before the police entered.  J.O. then came out and started to clean the house, saw the police, and alerted everyone.  Scott is seen pulling a gun out of his waistband and running through the house with the gun.  He entered another room, where it is believed that he disposed of the drugs.  Later, when he was being taken to jail, he admitted that he had used both cocaine and methamphetamine in the past.   The police found multiple guns during the search of his house.  One of the guns belonged to the City of Columbia.  It was issued to Scott while he was Chief of Police, and he did not return it.

On February 25, 2019, J.O. was interviewed again by ATF.  She told the agents she met Scott in 2017.  They did ice and heroin together.  She stated that they did ice together about 1-2 times a week for a year.  She also stated she had seen Scott using heroin, ice and cocaine in the past.  

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Richland County Sheriff's Department, and City of Columbia Police Department.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

 

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon announced today that Brian Dale Lee, age 40, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Lee to 293 month in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

Evidence presented in the case established that Lee was arrested along with two co-defendants at the a hotel in Orangeburg on January 16, 2018, after returning from a trip to Atlanta to purchase methamphetamine and heroin.  During a search of Lee’s room, agents found 1,345 grams of methamphetamine and 150 grams of heroin, over $15,000, and five cell phones.  Further investigation showed that Lee had previously made multiple trips to Atlanta to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin for distribution in the Charleston area.

Evidence in the case also showed that approximately four months prior to his arrest, Lee sold fentanyl to Lisa Cohen, who was previously sentenced in a separate federal case. Cohen’s 17-year-old son died from a fentanyl overdose after using the drugs provided by Lee.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, North Charleston Police Department, and Charleston County Coroner’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston Office prosecuted the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Scott A. Kohn, age 64, of Newport, California, and Future Income Payments, LLC (FIP), an entity organized under the laws of Nevada, have been charged in a federal Indictment alleging a conspiracy to engage in mail and wire fraud.  Kohn was arraigned yesterday before a United States Magistrate Judge in Greenville. 

According to the Indictment, FIP operated a Ponzi scheme in which it actively recruited pension holders who were desperate for money, including many veterans of the United States Armed Forces.  The pensioners made monthly payments to FIP in exchange for a lump sum payment or loan.  The adjusted annual percentage rate on these transactions often exceeded 100%.

FIP then solicited investors to purchase “structured cash flows,” which were the pensioners’ monthly pension payments.  FIP promised the investors a rate of return between 6.5% and 8%.  It took active steps to conceal from the investors the usurious nature of its transactions with the pension holders.  FIP diverted new investor funds flowing into the business to fund payments to earlier investors in order to keep the scheme operational.  When FIP ceased doing business in early 2018, investors were owed approximately $300 million.  The scheme alleged in the Indictment victimized over 2,600 individuals.

“The rule of law is essential to a prosperous economy, and those who avail themselves of our marketplace are expected to abide by our laws,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “The scheme alleged in this Indictment took advantage of pensioners facing difficult financial situations – including veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces – and preyed upon innocent investors to the tune of roughly $300 million.  Along with our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to hold accountable those who flout our laws and line their own pockets by robbing individuals of their hard-earned money.”

The maximum penalty Kohn could face for the conspiracy charge is 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.  The case is being investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“Reducing gun crime in South Carolina is a priority for the Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and law enforcement across our state,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Sherri A. Lydon.  “Through Project Guardian and Project Safe Neighborhoods, we are prioritizing partnerships with our Solicitors’ Offices and our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that will help us identify and prosecute those offenders who pose the greatest threat to our safety.”

“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.” 

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

 

1. Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
    
2. Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.
    
   Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
    
3. Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
    
4. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety. 
    
   Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
    
5. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

 

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.  

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For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Anthony James “AJ” Edward Hunt, 24, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the distribution of oxycodone resulting in death.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Hunt sold R.B., a former University of South Carolina student, alprazolam tablets on January 24 and 26, 2016, after R.B. expressed her desire to commit suicide.  When the alprazolam tablets failed to cause R.B. to die, Hunt advised R.B. that she could take her life by ingesting oxycodone tablets.  He provided her with detailed instructions on how to consume the oxycodone pills, and on January 27, 2016, Hunt sold R.B. ten 30-milligram oxycodone tablets.  The next day, R.B. was found deceased in her apartment.  Experts opined that R.B.’s death was caused by an oxycodone overdose.  After his arrest, Hunt admitted to law enforcement that he sold the oxycodone to R.B. knowing that she intended to commit suicide.

“The job of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to keep South Carolinians safe.  That means safe from gun violence, safe from public corruption and fraud, and safe from an opioid epidemic that transcends every demographic,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “AJ Hunt’s distribution of oxycodone destroyed two young lives and shattered two families, and we will continue to bring justice to those, like Hunt, whose distribution of illegal drugs results in the death of another individual. It is my hope that this tragic case will also help us raise awareness among students, parents, and schools about the devastating effects the misuse and abuse of opioids can have on our college campuses.”

United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, sentenced Hunt to 293 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The charges against Hunt were the result of an investigation led by Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Adam Roberson, with the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Coroner’s Office, Columbia Police Department, University of South Carolina Police Department, and Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Garner of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that William Tye Grisel, age 39, of Lexington, pleaded guilty in federal court to Wire Fraud after using his position and access to company networks and credit cards to embezzle approximately $1,050,000.00 from his employer, Big Red Box (BRB), a waste management call center located in Columbia.

Facts presented to the court showed BRB hired Grisel on December 23, 2013, to be a national dumpster salesperson.  He later became an IT manager.  As the IT manager, he was responsible for BRB’s computer hardware, phone systems and servers, computer systems and servers, proprietary software, and email systems.  Most significantly, he was responsible for hiring, managing, tracking, and paying the search engine optimization companies (SEOs) that generated marketing calls for BRB.

SEOs initiate marketing phone calls that are routed to the BRB call center.  This is a significant expense.  Since 2011, BRB has hired and paid approximately ten SEOs.

Grisel started a company called Local List.  Local List generated no calls on its own.  Instead, Local List used the call lists of other SEOs, represented that these call lists were its own, and billed BRB for them.  Over almost three years, Local List billed BRB around $1,049,996.97. 

Grisel ceased his full-time employment with BRB on March 1, 2016.  He then started his own company, G5 Marketing.  As an independent contractor, Grisel, through G5, continued to receive $1,600 per month from BRB.    

Senior United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted Grisel’s plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The United States Secret Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

#####

WASHINGTON – U.S. District Court Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced defendant Bobby Paul Edwards, 54, of Conway, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay $272,952.96 in restitution to the victim. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2018, to one count of forced labor for coercing an African-American man with an intellectual disability to work extensive hours at a restaurant for no pay.

“It is almost inconceivable that instances of forced labor endure in this country to this day – a century and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to investigate, prosecute, and convict human traffickers involved in forced labor, seeking justice on behalf of their victims.”  

“For stealing his victim’s freedom and wages, Mr. Edwards has earned every day of his sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate forced or exploitative labor in South Carolina, and we are grateful to the watchful citizen and our partners in law enforcement who put a stop to this particularly cruel violence.”

“This abusive enslavement of a vulnerable person is shocking. The FBI is always vigilantly searching for these offenses and stands ready to bring perpetrators to justice and help victims reclaim their lives. We understand human trafficking takes many forms and we encourage anyone with information related to these crimes to contact the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris.

According to the defendant’s plea colloquy and admissions in court, between 2009 and 2014, the defendant used violence and other coercive means to compel the victim to work for more than 100 hours a week for no pay at a restaurant managed by the defendant in Conway, South Carolina. The defendant subjected the victim to physical and emotional abuse whenever the victim made a mistake or failed to work fast enough. The defendant beat the victim with a belt, fists, and pots and pans. On one occasion, he dipped metal tongs into hot grease and burned the victim’s neck. The defendant further yelled at the victim and used racial slurs to belittle and demean him. After a concerned resident notified state authorities of the defendant’s abuse, the victim was removed from the situation in October 2014.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. The case was prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa L. Richardson of the District of South Carolina.   

# # #

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Freddie Grant, age 59, of Elgin, was resentenced to the statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison after his conviction for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Grant was back before the federal district court for resentencing after a change in the law affected his earlier classification as an armed career criminal. Grant, who was convicted following a federal trial in January 2013, was originally deemed an armed career criminal subject to a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years. He was sentenced to 212 months in prison with 5 years of supervision to follow. That conviction and sentence were upheld in 2014 by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In 2016, Grant filed a habeas petition challenging his armed career criminal status. He argued that, based on a change in law, his 1980 military kidnapping court-martial could not subject him to an enhanced federal sentence. The district court agreed based upon an August 2019 Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision and vacated Grant’s sentence. Grant no longer has the requisite three predicate convictions to be classified as an armed career criminal and is now subject to a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years. 

Grant’s new advisory sentencing guidelines range was 27 to 33 months in prison. The Government moved for an upward variance from the guidelines range, noting that Grant’s extensive criminal history was underrepresented in the guidelines calculation, and asked the court to impose the statutory maximum 10 years in prison and 3 years of supervision to follow. Grant has prior convictions for assault by inflicting grievous bodily harm, resisting apprehension, assault upon an officer, kidnapping, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of cocaine, carrying concealed weapon, resisting arrest, shoplifting, driving under suspension, and criminal domestic violence. 

Senior United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie, of Columbia, granted the Government’s motion and sentenced Grant to 10 years’ imprisonment with 3 years of federal supervision to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.

Grant will be returned to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to serve the remainder of his 10-year federal sentence. After Grant completes his federal sentence, he will be transferred to a state facility to serve the remainder of his 30-year state sentence for the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Gabrielle Swainson. After that state sentence is completed, he will be on federal supervision for 3 years.

Evidence presented during the January 2013 federal trial established that on August 21, 2012, investigators with the Richland County Sheriffs Department executed a search warrant at Grant’s home in Elgin. During the search, investigators located a box of 12 gauge shotgun shells on a table in the living room area and a box of .38 caliber ammunition in a nightstand in a bedroom. Federal law prohibits Grant from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior felony convictions. Investigators seized the ammunition and notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which arrested Grant on the federal charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition.

During his original federal sentencing hearing in April 2013, the court found that Grant obstructed justice during his federal trial by suborning perjury by his then 27-year-old daughter Dominique Grant.

The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Donald Benson, 30, of Columbia, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on October 5, 2018, an officer with the Columbia Police Department, who knew Benson and knew he had a suspended driver’s license and outstanding warrants, approached Benson. Benson fled on foot as the officer attempted to make contact with him. During this flight, Benson tossed a loaded firearm from his jacket and continued to flee before the officer finally apprehended Benson. Evidence was also presented of Benson’s status as a validated gang member.

Federal law prohibits Benson from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has numerous state felony convictions, including attempted murder; assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; unlawful carry of a pistol; and participating in a riot while in prison.

United States District J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, sentenced Benson to 50 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. 

This case was investigated by the Midlands Gang Task Force, a team of federal and local law enforcement agencies committed to identifying violent gang members. The Task Force agencies involved in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbia Police Department. The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case. 

#####

U.S. District Court Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced defendant Bobby Paul Edwards, 54, of Conway, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison and ordered him to pay $272,952.96 in restitution to the victim. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2018, to one count of forced labor for coercing an African-American man with an intellectual disability to work extensive hours at a restaurant for no pay.

“It is almost inconceivable that instances of forced labor endure in this country to this day – a century and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to investigate, prosecute, and convict human traffickers involved in forced labor, seeking justice on behalf of their victims.”  

“For stealing his victim’s freedom and wages, Mr. Edwards has earned every day of his sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not tolerate forced or exploitative labor in South Carolina, and we are grateful to the watchful citizen and our partners in law enforcement who put a stop to this particularly cruel violence.”

“This abusive enslavement of a vulnerable person is shocking. The FBI is always vigilantly searching for these offenses and stands ready to bring perpetrators to justice and help victims reclaim their lives. We understand human trafficking takes many forms and we encourage anyone with information related to these crimes to contact the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris.

According to the defendant’s plea colloquy and admissions in court, between 2009 and 2014, the defendant used violence and other coercive means to compel the victim to work for more than 100 hours a week for no pay at a restaurant managed by the defendant in Conway, South Carolina. The defendant subjected the victim to physical and emotional abuse whenever the victim made a mistake or failed to work fast enough. The defendant beat the victim with a belt, fists, and pots and pans. On one occasion, he dipped metal tongs into hot grease and burned the victim’s neck. The defendant further yelled at the victim and used racial slurs to belittle and demean him. After a concerned resident notified state authorities of the defendant’s abuse, the victim was removed from the situation in October 2014.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. The case was prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman and Trial Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa L. Richardson of the District of South Carolina.   

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that a press conference will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in the lobby of the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel, 2101 North Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577.

Represented at the press conference will be U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Sherri Lydon, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Andrew Murray, and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Robert Higdon, Jr. 

 

WHEN:       Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:    Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel

                        2101 North Oak Street

                        Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577

 

NOTE:  Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Lance Crick, 864-282-2105.  Members of the media wishing to attend the remarks should gather in the lobby of the hotel at 10:30 a.m., 30 minutes in advance.

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Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Kyre Christen Brown, 25, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on September 8, 2018, an officer with the Hartsville Police Department was on patrol when he saw Brown walking northbound on the sidewalk.  The officer confirmed that there was an outstanding warrant for Brown, then pulled into a nearby driveway, opened his door, and attempted to make contact with Brown.  As soon as the officer opened his door, Brown ran, and the officer pursued Brown on foot.  Brown ran through a backyard, jumped a fence into the backyard of another house, and stopped for a moment near a bush, where he appeared to be hiding something.  When Brown saw the officer coming, he took off again but eventually stopped in another back yard, where the officer apprehended him.  Officers searched the area near the bush where Brown had briefly stopped and found a loaded revolver. 

Federal law prohibits Brown from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has prior convictions for strong arm robbery, assault and battery first degree, and second degree burglary.   

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Brown to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartsville Police Department.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case. 

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Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Eron Jordan, 28, of Conway, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on May 22, 2018, an officer with the Conway Police Department was on patrol when he saw a vehicle with tinted windows so dark that he could not see the driver through the front side window.  The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and upon approaching the vehicle, smelled an odor of marijuana.  The officer explained the window tint violation to the driver, identified as Eron Jordan, asked Jordan to step out of the vehicle, and asked about the odor of marijuana.  Jordan disagreed about the odor and said he had no objections to the officers looking in the vehicle.  Officers searched the vehicle and discovered two bags of crack cocaine and two bags of heroin in the center console; a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun in the glove compartment, loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition; a silver scale in the front passenger door; several cell phones; a glass jar with a small amount of suspected marijuana; $335.00 in cash in the driver’s door; and $5,762.00 in cash in a book bag on the rear passenger seat.  A search of a passenger in the vehicle revealed 70 Hydrocodone pills, 69 Oxycodone pills, and 10 Buprenorphine pills.  Jordan admitted that everything in the car was his and nothing belonged to the passenger. 

Federal law prohibits Jordan from possessing firearms and ammunition because he has two prior state convictions for pointing and presenting a firearm.   

Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Jordan to 144 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Conway Police Department, assisted by the Horry County Police Department and the Horry County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case. 

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced that a press conference will be held today, Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in the lobby of the Greenville County Courthouse, 305 East North Street, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601.

Represented at the press conference will be the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette, 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner, and 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins, along with members of law enforcement.

 

WHEN:      Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:    Greenville County Courthouse

                        305 East North Street

                        Greenville, South Carolina 29601

NOTE:  Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Lance Crick, 864-282-2105.  All media must present a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license).  Members of the media wishing to attend the remarks should gather in the first floor lobby of the Courthouse at 10:30 a.m., 30 minutes in advance.

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Greenville, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon launched a new partnership to address reducing violent crime in communities across South Carolina at a press conference this morning at the Greenville County Courthouse.  U.S. Attorney Lydon was joined by 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette, 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner, and 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins, along with numerous members of law enforcement. 

In her remarks this morning, U.S. Attorney Lydon detailed the coordinated efforts that are already underway between state and federal prosecutors, who are working in close concert with local, state, and federal law enforcement.  “Reducing violent crime in South Carolina is a priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcement in general,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “One of the biggest surprises to me after taking office was coming to understand just how many shots are being fired on the streets of our communities.  I think the public would be surprised, too.  Because of advances in technology, we now often know just how many shots are being fired.  It is alarming.  The technology, however, and the analytics we now have, also better inform us of who is actually firing the shots.  What we have learned is that roughly 80 to 90% of violent crime is committed by only 5 to 7% of offenders.”

“So today, with our law enforcement partners, and specifically the Solicitors of the 7th, 8th, 10th , and 13th Circuits, we want to send a message to our communities, and also to those 5 to 7% who would rob us of our security, that we are prioritizing prosecutions.  The Solicitors face thousands of warrants a year, but, working together, we are going to focus on those offenders who pose the greatest threat to our safety.”

Lydon noted that, on the federal side, efforts have already begun by providing training on using objective data to identify and investigate the most violent offenders.  Moving forward, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will regularly have joint meetings with law enforcement during which officials will use analytics and objective data to identify the worst offenders.  The Solicitors have designated at least one prosecutor in each of their offices who will be in weekly contact with federal prosecutors and a team of law enforcement partners.  Together, state and federal prosecutors will be focused on the same individuals and will determine whether each case will be prosecuted in state or federal court.  Furthermore, the Solicitors are committed to having an Assistant Solicitor at the bond hearings of these most serious offenders and to moving to revoke bond on the top offenders when they re-offend.

The community will play an integral role in this partnership, Lydon remarked:  “We will also have all stakeholders present at sentencing hearings, and the judge will be given the entire picture of the particular offender, including any information our office may have on the individual.  Essentially, whether we are in state court or federal court, we are ‘all in’ on these top offenders.” 

U.S. Attorney Lydon lifted up the work of state prosecutors as well.  “I cannot thank these Solicitors enough.  They face a much heavier docket than our office does.  They have agreed, however, to prioritize these offenders and place a heightened focus on gun crimes and how they are charged.  Some will actually hold gun court – a new designation where, by setting aside a day of court just for gun cases, they will spotlight the issue for the court and the community.  Others are looking at enhanced charges when possible, instead of charging the routine misdemeanor unlawful carrying charge.” 

“As their federal counterpart, our office pledges our support, our resources, and our statutes, where needed.  We are much more effective when we tackle the problem together.  We have always been privileged to work with them.  Today, we advance a strategy of prioritized prosecutions that allow us to do it more effectively.”

The partnership announced today is part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

 

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that a press conference will be held tomorrow, Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in the lobby of the Greenville County Courthouse, 305 East North Street, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601.

Represented at the press conference will be the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette, 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner, and 13th Circuit Solicitor Walt Wilkins, along with members of law enforcement.

 

WHEN:       Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:     Greenville County Courthouse

                        305 East North Street

                        Greenville, South Carolina 29601

NOTE:  Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Lance Crick, 864-282-2105.  All media must present a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license).  Members of the media wishing to attend the remarks should gather in the first floor lobby of the Courthouse at 10:30 a.m., 30 minutes in advance.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Columbia District Office is partnering with national, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, as well as community coalition groups, to hold its 18th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at over 80 locations across South Carolina this Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

This one-day event will make it convenient for the public to rid their homes of potentially dangerous prescription drugs. South Carolinians will be able to drop off their expired, unused, and unwanted pills at sites across the state free of charge, no questions asked.  By doing so, they will help prevent prescription drug abuse and theft. South Carolinians participating in DEA’s last take-back held on April 27, 2019, yielded 11,825 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state.

For the first time, DEA will also accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, individuals should consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

Concerns have been raised across the United States over illnesses and death caused by vaping and the high youth vaping initiation rates. In an effort to support a healthy lifestyle and energetic population, especially amongst America’s youth, DEA is committed to doing all it can to help safely dispose of vaping devices and substances. 

“Saturday’s Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity for South Carolinians to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs, helping to keep dangerous narcotics out of the wrong hands and off of our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “This is an important first step in preventing the misuse and abuse of prescription medication.  We are grateful to DEA for their leadership and to each of our local partners for helping make this event a reality.” 

“DEA’s 18th Prescription Drug Take Back event will allow Americans to safely and properly dispose of their unwanted/unused prescription medications,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “During Saturday’s Take Back event, DEA is taking a proactive step by collecting vaping devices and cartridges as we work with our partners to combat this emerging public health threat to the nation’s youth.”

Now in its tenth year, DEA has collected a total of more than 11 million pounds (almost 6,000 tons) of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. DEA is continuing to register law enforcement partners and collection sites for the upcoming Take Back Day. Over 4,500 registered law enforcement partners will assist with more than 5,250 registered sites and 135 tribal locations across the country, with more being added each day. Collection sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539.

National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last April, the public turned in 469 tons (937,443pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 6,258 sites operated by the DEA and its 4,969 local and tribal partners. 

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For more information about the harms of youth vaping, please visit: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/facts/vaping-what-you-should-know.

The DEA also encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office, along their local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will visit schools across South Carolina to meet with students as a part of South Carolina’s 18th annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.  With a focus on keeping 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 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 conversation among students 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office reached out to all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and schools to make the pledges available to interested schools. This pledge effort is part Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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 following South Carolina schools and law enforcement agencies are participating in this year’s pledge on October 16.  For information on events scheduled for a particular school, please contact the specific school or law enforcement agency.

Participating Law Enforcement Agencies

Beaufort Police Department

Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office

Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

Columbia Police Department

Florence County Sheriff’s Department

Greer Police Department

Hampton County Sheriff’s Office

Hardeeville Police Department

Marion County Sheriff’s Department

Myrtle Beach Police Department

Richland County Sheriff’s Department

Summerville Police Department

 

Participating Schools

 

Aiken Scholars Academy - Aiken

Battery Creek High School - Beaufort

Beaufort Middle School – Beaufort

Brunson Elementary School - Hampton

Cheraw Intermediate School - Cheraw

Eau Clair High School - Columbia

Edward E. Taylor Elementary School – Richland

Forest Heights Elementary School – Columbia

Ft. Dorchester High School – Dorchester

Greer High School – Greenville

Greg Mathis Charter High School - Charleston

Hardeeville Elementary School - Ridgeland

Hardeeville-Ridgeland Middle School – Ridgeland

John P. Thomas Elementary School - Richland

Lady’s Island Middle School – Beaufort

Lake City High School – Florence

Limestone Central Elementary School - Gaffney

Macedonia Middle School – Berkeley

McCormick Elementary School – McCormick

McCormick High School - McCormick

Myrtle Beach Middle School – Horry

Myrtle Beach High School – Horry

Northwest Elementary School – Cherokee

Oakbrook Middle School – Charleston

Ocean Drive Elementary School – Horry

St. James – Santee Elementary Middle School - McClellanville

 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Santerrio Montinez Smith, age 32, of Columbia, was convicted by a federal jury on a dog fighting charge after a day-and-a-half long trial before United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis. The jury took just two hours to find Smith guilty. This was Smith’s second federal conviction this year; in August, he was convicted after trial for distributing and conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin.

Smith was convicted of Buying, Possessing, Training, Transporting, and Receiving Animals for Purposes of Having the Animals Participate in an Animal Fighting Venture. He faces a maximum possible penalty of 5 years in prison for his conviction.

During the trial, the government called seven witnesses to establish that, between March and September 2017, Smith possessed pit bull terriers for the purpose of fighting the dogs. The evidence presented in court showed that Smith, who already had a 2014 state conviction for dog fighting, kept his fighting dogs at his grandmother’s house on Dubard Boyle Road in Richland County. On September 20, 2017, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Columbia Violent Gang Task Force (CVGTF), with assistance from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), executed a search warrant at the residence on Dubard Boyle Road and seized eight pit bull-type dogs. Forensic veterinarian Dr. Cathy Anderson, DVM, examined the dogs and testified that two of the dogs had both scarring and fresh wounds indicative of the dogs having participated in organized dog fighting.

The jury heard testimony from Terry Mills, the Director of Blood Sports Investigations at the ASPCA, who educated them about the underworld of organized dog fighting. Mills, a former law enforcement officer with the Missouri Highway Patrol, testified that he had spent 18 months working undercover in a massive multi-state dog fighting investigation. During that time, he had essentially lived the life of a dog fighter. He described in detail the horrific treatment that dogs are forced to endure to become fighters, as well as what happens when a dog loses a fight. According to Mills, “the losing dog rarely leaves the building.”

Government attorneys then played a dozen recorded phone calls involving Santerrio Smith, his brother Dantrell Smith, their father James “Denny” Green, and other known dog fighters, discussing the dogs and different aspects of dog fighting. During one call, Santerrio Smith and another dog fighter made arrangements for an upcoming fight.

Both Dantrell Smith and James Green have pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges. Santerrio Smith, Dantrell Smith, and Green will be sentenced after the court has received and reviewed a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

Although dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, it continues to occur in every part of the country and in every type of community. ASPCA experts estimate that there are tens of thousands of dog fighters across the country forcing hundreds of thousands of dogs to train, fight, and suffer for the entertainment and profit of spectators as part of this brutal “blood sport.” In the past nine years, the ASPCA has assisted with approximately 200 dog fighting cases in at least 24 states, and it has impacted through rescue, consultations, and investigations nearly 5,000 victims of dog fighting.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s CVGTF, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Columbia Police Department (CPD), Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD), Lexington Police Department (LPD), and the South Carolina National Guard. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jane B. Taylor and Christopher D. Taylor.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Brenda Rodgers, age 57, of Saluda, was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to filing false tax returns.  Rodgers was also ordered to pay $156,536.09 in restitution to the IRS for back taxes.  United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, presided.  

Evidence presented to the court established that from 2012 through 2016, Rodgers was an employee of a property and casualty insurance agency located in Columbia.  Rodgers embezzled by writing checks from a particular client’s account to herself and forging the name of her supervisor.  During the tax years 2012 through 2016, Rodgers wrote herself 325 checks totaling over $337,000.  Rodgers concealed her activity by making false entries in the accounting records and on check stubs.  She also removed pages from the bank statements that contained photocopies of the checks transferring funds into her bank account.  By creating false entries and removing bank records, Rodgers avoided reporting taxable income associated with her embezzlement.  As a result, she avoided tax payments totaling $156,536.09.

Rodgers confessed to deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, explaining that she used the money to pay bills, make car payments, and pay off her mortgage. 

The United States Internal Revenue Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Natacha Gonzalez, age 47, of Weston, Florida, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison after pleading guilty to Health Care Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft.  Gonzalez was also ordered to pay $61,738.08 in restitution to various insurance companies.  United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, presided.  

Evidence presented to the court established that Gonzalez owned a Florida business engaged in medical marketing.  Gonzalez brokered false prescriptions for compounded medications and received a profit when they were filled.

Gonzalez identified three doctors and obtained blank prescriptions in their names.  Gonzalez forged prescriptions by completing the blank prescriptions with drug names and the doctor’s information.  These forged prescriptions were then sent to a South Carolina pharmacy to be filled.  The pharmacy then billed insurers for these fraudulent prescriptions and received payment.  The pharmacy then sent a portion of the payment to Gonzalez.

“Fraud on our insurance companies raises health care costs for everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the integrity of our health care system holding accountable those who seek to enrich themselves through unlawful kickback schemes.”

"This sentencing is the product of a thorough investigation and demonstrates the intent of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our law enforcement partners to root out fraud and corruption involving medical professionals who put patients’ health at risk with criminal intent,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Craig, Jr., DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office.  “DCIS will continue to protect the integrity of the Department of Defense by targeting fraud, waste, and abuse that negatively impacts critical programs such as TRICARE."

Agents of the DCIS and the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command Major Procurement Fraud Unit – Atlanta investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Michael Greene, age 45, of Columbia, was sentenced to 90 days in federal prison and fined $25,000, after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Water Act.  United States District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs presided.

Facts presented to the court showed Greene worked for an environmental company offering hazardous waste disposal services.  Greene’s job was to transport the liquid runoff from solid waste at an Eastover landfill to the Florence Wastewater Management Facility.  Instead, he illegally dumped the liquid runoff, or ‘leachate,’ into the Leesburg Branch Creek on multiple occasions in mid-2017.    

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the last of 15 South Carolina defendants with pending charges from the Aiken County investigation dubbed “Operation Gunsmoke” have pleaded guilty in federal court to offenses involving narcotics and firearms.

“Because of the excellent work of the ATF RAGE Unit in this case, over 150 guns have been taken away from criminals and off the streets of Aiken County,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Federal, state, and local law enforcement are working in lockstep to make our neighborhoods safer.  I am proud to stand with our partners in South Carolina and Georgia as we fight to take back our communities from dangerous individuals who mix violence and illegal drug distribution.”

The specific guilty pleas before United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs were as follows:

• Christopher Johnson pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison.
• Quinton White pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and illegally dealing in firearms. White faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison.
• Kevin Sheppard pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  Sheppard faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. 
• Keith Williams pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and   carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  Williams faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. 
• Larry Thomas pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and   carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  Thomas faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years and a maximum of life in prison. 
• Jerome Simmons pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.  Simmons faces a minimum mandatory term of five years imprisonment and a maximum of life.
• Reihn Jennings pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.  Jennings faces a minimum mandatory term of five years imprisonment and a maximum of life.
• Ronnie Gartrell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Gartrell faces a minimum mandatory term of five years imprisonment and a maximum of 50 years.
• Heather Collins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, and methamphetamine.  Collins faces a minimum mandatory term of five years imprisonment and a maximum of 40 years.
• Charlie Carter pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.  Carter faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. 
• Cornelius McKie pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, and methamphetamine.  McKie faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
• Rashad Lundy, Xavier Mathaney, Ray Baughman, and Benjamin Roper all pleaded guilty to felon in possession of firearms charges, and each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

These guilty pleas are the result of the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Regional Anti-Gang Enforcement (RAGE) Unit, a joint gang/violent crime task force with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, North Augusta Department of Public Safety, Aiken Department of Public Safety, Richmond County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and ATF.  Assistance was also provided by the United States Marshals Service, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and the Wheeling, West Virginia Police Department. 

Court testimony revealed that the case first started as a result of increasing violence in Aiken County. During the course of the investigation, over 150 guns were seized – most from the hands of felons.  Methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine were also seized during the case, including over 4 pounds of methamphetamine in one seizure. 

ATF Assistant Special in Charge Brian Mein stated, “The ATF Regional Anti-Gang Enforcement Unit (RAGE), was an idea that became a reality because law enforcement agencies realized we could better serve and protect our communities from violent criminals, firearm traffickers and drug traffickers by working together.  The guilty pleas and convictions of individuals associated with the investigation are a great testament to our collaborative efforts.  ATF will continue to support the RAGE Unit and offer any and all resources to ensure our communities stay safe.   I want to thank the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, North Augusta Department of Public Safety, Aiken Department of Public Safety, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and our ATF Agents for dedication and their outstanding work in this investigation.”

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorneys Charlie Bourne of the Charleston office and Brook Andrews of the Columbia office are prosecuting the cases.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Nye’s Pharmacy, of Conway, has agreed to pay the United States $185,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to abide by recordkeeping requirements of the Controlled Substances Act and filled prescriptions without confirming that they served a legitimate medical purpose.  The settlement also requires Nye’s to comply with heightened reporting requirements for a two year period.       

“Pharmacies have a duty to ensure that they track and dispense controlled substances in compliance with the law,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Doctors and pharmacists are uniquely positioned to assist in preventing the abuse and diversion of controlled substances.  Adhering to the basic rules of recordkeeping and prescription review is essential to helping fight the opioid epidemic.”  

This matter was investigated by Dawn Bauer and Adam Roberson of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Assistant United States Attorneys Tina Cundari and James Leventis of the Columbia office.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only.  Nye’s does not admit wrongdoing or liability. 

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Columbia, South Carolina -- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jason Cory Dix, age 42, of Lexington, was sentenced to 99 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia imposed the sentence. After 99 months, Dix will remain under court-ordered supervision for an additional 3 years. There is no parole in the federal system. 

Evidence presented in court established that on June 8, 2018, a Deputy with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department was working patrol and turned into a gas station on South Lake Drive in Lexington. As he turned into the parking lot, he saw a black SUV waiting to exit the lot. The driver, later identified as Dix, quickly grabbed his seatbelt and fastened it, and as Deputy Smith drove past Dix he could not see a tag affixed to the rear of the SUV. As Deputy Smith turned around, he saw the SUV traveling at a high rate of speed and then run the red light at the intersection of Southwood Drive and Old Orangeburg Road. The Deputy activated his blue lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, but Dix failed to stop. Dix reached speeds of 104 mph before colliding with another vehicle, the driver of which was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. When the Deputy searched the SUV, a Ruger P-89 9mm and two loaded magazines were found in the floorboard of the vehicle. Dix admitted that the firearm and ammunition were his.    

Federal law prohibits Dix from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon multiple prior state convictions: a 1996 assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a 1998 possession of crack cocaine, three counts of breaking and entering a motor vehicle in 1999, a 2005 manufacturing methamphetamine and trafficking methamphetamine, and a 2016 manufacturing methamphetamine 2nd offense.  Dix was on probation at the time of the June 18, 2018, offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey Rankin Smith of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office supported a Charleston Area Senior Citizens Elder Abuse Awareness event in Charleston.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rob Sneed and Matt Austin gave a presentation to senior citizens using “Fraud Bingo” as a platform to provide tips on avoiding scams.

“Like senior citizens everywhere, South Carolina’s growing population of elderly residents is increasingly vulnerable to financial exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “As criminals get more innovative with their elder fraud schemes, we have to get more creative about how to thwart them.  Fraud Bingo helps us teach seniors how to recognize scams that could have a devastating impact on their financial wellbeing and encourages them to report potential scams to the Department of Justice.” 

Charleston Area Senior Citizens, Inc. (CASC) is a non-profit agency serving Charleston County that provides a wide range of programs, services, and activities that promote health, safety, socialization, and independence for adults age 60 and older in the community.  This week, the Senior Companion Program (SCP), sponsored by CASC, held an Elder Abuse Awareness training for volunteers who provide individualized support and assistance to other adults with physical, mental, or emotional impairments, primarily the frail elderly.  SCP is part of Senior Corps, which is under the umbrella of the Corporation for National and Community Service. SCP Program Director Berita Martin planned and executed the event. 

AUSAs Sneed and Austin gave practical tips to help seniors prevent getting financially exploited.  They operated a bingo-type game to teach seniors how to recognize and deal with scams. The game is played just like regular Bingo but with an added twist:  Each time the Bingo game caller announces a square, participants read aloud the accompanying message found on their bingo card if they have a match.  Each square has a message about fraud, identity theft, or scams. When there is a winner, shouts of “Fraud Bingo” ring out.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office was joined by several partners in its fight against elder fraud, abuse, and neglect. Dave Zoellner of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Detective Jennie Antonio of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department, and a representative from South Carolina Legal Services each provided information to help support and protect the elderly community in Charleston.

To learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Elder Fraud program, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/elder-justice-initiative, or the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

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Florence, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office; the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce; SC Works; South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation; South Carolina Department of Social Services; and the United States Probation Office are continuing their statewide partnership to help individuals with prior criminal backgrounds secure employment.

The Fourth Annual Pee Dee Reentry Job Fair & Expo will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Central Carolina Technical Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center, located at 853 Broad Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150.

This fair, which targets the Pee Dee and eastern region of the State, is one in a series of fairs held annually, including in the Low Country, the Upstate, and the Midlands. The partner organizations believe that these tailored expos, for people with a criminal background, will provide some focused help for the particular obstacles individuals face after returning home, particularly in securing employment.

The first three Pee Dee Reentry Job Fairs were hosted in Florence and Myrtle Beach, where more than 600 job seekers attended over the three years, combined.  The opportunity to host this year’s fair in Sumter will continue to expand the availability of resources to new employers and job seekers alike.

Professional dress is required. Job seekers should inquire with Marcos Barahona of the United States Probation Office at Marcos_Barahona@scp.uscourts.gov or George Whitehead at (803) 734-9143, (803) 667-1258, or george.whitehead@ppp.sc.gov if they have any questions about the event.  Employers should contact Nicole Gardner at ngardner@dew.sc.gov.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jamal Early, Frank Pridgeon, Miguel Williams,  Catherine Prosser, Holly  Mitchem, Robert Hill, Ebonynisha Casby, and Sharon Johnson Breeland, all former employees of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), have pleaded guilty in federal court to offenses associated with accepting bribes to smuggle contraband into SCDC facilities.

“Those who violate the public trust by taking bribes to smuggle dangerous contraband into our prisons endanger inmates, prison staff, and the general public,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners at SCDC will not rest until we have rooted out the corruption in our prison system.”

“When a correctional officer brings contraband into an institution, it breaks a public trust and makes the institution and our state unsafe for everyone,” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. “They deserve to spend time behind bars.”

The specific guilty pleas are as follows:

• On September 19, 2019, Jamal Early pleaded guilty to Use of an Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery.  Facts presented in court showed Early, a former correctional officer at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle tobacco and A-PVP (a synthetic narcotic) into prison.  He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On September 18, 2019, Frank Pridgeon pleaded guilty to Honest Services Wire Fraud.  Facts presented in court showed Pridgeon, a former correctional officer at Kershaw Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle cocaine, marijuana, tobacco, and cell phones into prison.  Pridgeon faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.On September 13, 2019, Miguel Williams pleaded guilty to Use of an Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery.  Facts presented in court showed Williams, a former correctional officer at Perry Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle tobacco and liquor into prison.  Williams faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On September 13, 2019, Catherine Prosser pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.  Facts presented in court showed Prosser, a former correctional officer at McCormick Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle marijuana into prison.  Prosser faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On September 13, 2019, Holly Mitchem pleaded guilty to Use of an Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery. Facts presented in court showed Mitchem, a food service worker at Tyger River Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle tobacco and K2 into prison.  Mitchem and faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On September 13, 2019, Robert Hill pleaded guilty to Use of an Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery.  Facts presented in court showed Hill, a horticulture specialist at Tyger River Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle marijuana, K2, tobacco, and cell phones into prison.  Hill faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On September 10, 2019, Ebonynisha Casby pleaded guilty to Use of an Interstate Facility to Facilitate Bribery.  Facts presented in court showed that Casby, a correctional officer at Lieber Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle a watch and jewelry into prison.  Casby faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.
• On August 6, 2019, Sharon Johnson Breeland pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  Facts presented in court showed that Breeland, a correctional officer at Broad River Correctional Institution, accepted bribes to smuggle methamphetamine into prison.  Breeland faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison.

 

These guilty pleas are the result of a partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Attorney’s Office, and SCDC to investigate the smuggling of contraband into prisons by staff at SCDC. The investigation has uncovered a number of SCDC employees who accepted bribes to smuggle into prison various contraband such as cell phones, narcotics, or tobacco. Previous recent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office of SCDC employees for these types of offenses have resulted in prison time for the offenders.

Assistant United States Attorney William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office is prosecuting the cases.

 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that John Bennett Roof, Jr., a/k/a “Brent Roof,” a/k/a “Ice Man”, age 34, of Chester, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Following the term of imprisonment, Roof will remain on federal supervised release for an additional 3 years.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia imposed the sentence.

Evidence presented in court established that on April 17, 2018, officers with the Chester Police Department Narcotics and Gang Unit and a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a traffic stop of a Mazda sedan on West Elliott Street in Chester.  Officers noticed a strong odor of marijuana and asked Roof, the only occupant of the vehicle, to step out of the car.  A search of the car produced a 9mm handgun loaded with seven rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one in the chamber; 4.86 grams of methamphetamine; what appeared to be cocaine, hydrocodone, three ecstasy pills, and a jar of marijuana; and $560 in U.S. currency.  Roof admitted the firearm and narcotics were his, that he is a methamphetamine dealer, that the pistol was stolen, and that he traded methamphetamine for the firearm.

Federal law prohibits Roof from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon multiple prior state convictions, including a 2008 conviction for distributions of marijuana, a 2012 conviction for distribution of a controlled substance, and a 2006 conviction for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature related to an incident where Roof threw an infant on the ground, cracking the infant’s scull.  In addition, Roof has at least five prior drug possession convictions from 2002 through 2018, and a 2016 conviction for criminal domestic violence.  Roof has 16 outstanding charges in the state system.  Evidence presented in court also indicated Roof is a validated member of a criminal street gang.

The case was investigated by the ATF and the Chester Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Darrell Henry Adam, age 29, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison for manufacturing child pornography. 

Facts presented during the hearing showed that Adam recorded his sexual assault of a child.  Adam then showed the video to a confidential witness he met through an online dating app.  Adam indicated to the confidential witness that he had also provided methamphetamine to the child.  After the confidential witness saw the recording, he called the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report the abuse.  The York County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI responded to Adam’s residence that day.  After questioning Adam, the investigators obtained a search warrant to look through the home and Adam's electronics. Investigators discovered hundreds of child pornography images and videos within Adam's electronic devices, including the abuse video described by the confidential witness. Adam was immediately arrested and has remained in custody during the prosecution of his case.

“The highest calling of the United States Attorney’s Office is to keep South Carolinians safe,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “In partnership with local, state, and federal law enforcement, we will relentlessly pursue those who harm our children.  Thanks to the hard work of the York County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the Attorney General’s Office, Darrell Adam has been brought to justice for the horrific crime he committed.”

"This sentence demonstrates the danger and depravity of these offenses.  The immediate response and tremendous work of our personnel and our partners in the York County Sheriff's Office saved children from further harm.  The FBI will remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate these matters, find those responsible and protect children," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Alphonso Norris.

The investigation was conducted by members of the York County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office.  It 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.

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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Dana Q. Roush, age 38, of Greenville, was found guilty of a conspiracy to commit mail fraud and equity skimming. A federal jury returned guilty verdicts late Wednesday evening after an hour and a half of deliberation. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson received the verdicts and will sentence Dana Roush and her husband Michael “Bubba” Roush,” who pleaded guilty to the mail fraud conspiracy prior to trial, after reviewing a Presentence Investigation Report which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.   

Evidence presented at trial showed that Dana and Bubba Roush owned and operated Kingdom Connected Investments, LLC (“KCI”).  They marketed their company as a Christian organization and promised to create “win-win” situations for home sellers and buyers. They sought homeowners who often owed more on their home than the property was worth, and buyers who lacked good credit and thus could not obtain a conventional mortgage. 

KCI promised to relieve the homeowner from the burdens of mortgage payments by “buying” the home and placing a buyer in the home who would rent-to-own.  KCI promised to make all the sellers’ mortgage payments.  KCI misled sellers to believe that they would be immediately removed from the property’s title and that they were no longer responsible for the original loan.

KCI promised buyers an easy road to homeownership.  In exchange for the down payment (typically 10 percent of the purchase price), the buyers were told that they were renting-to-own and building up equity.  KCI further concealed from the buyers that a third party—the seller—had an existing mortgage on the property that KCI was responsible for paying.  

Rather than using the down payments and rents received from the buyers to pay the sellers’ mortgage payments, Bubba and Dana Roush used the money for personal expenses and to expand their real estate business. 

The sellers, many of whom believed they were off the title and note, received foreclosure notices.  They learned that KCI, despite having a renter in the home, had stopped paying on the mortgage.  Buyers often learned they had no real ownership interest when the home was purchased by a third-party at a foreclosure sale and the new owner started eviction proceedings. 

Victims of the scheme suffered myriad injuries including loss of money, dreams, and ruined credit.  Special Agent Matt Jacobson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation testified that KCI received $2.6 million from buyers and only paid $1.4 million in mortgage payments.  Approximately 130 properties were involved in the scam, and Agent Jacobson testified that in only two instances did a buyer actually become a homeowner and a seller not face foreclosure and ruined credit. 

“Protecting South Carolinians from financial fraud is one of our top priorities,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Dana and Bubba Roush lined their own pockets by preying on distressed homeowners and families hoping to achieve the American dream of home ownership.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals like the Roushes who make false representations to enrich themselves at the expense of others.”

“This verdict is the result of excellent work by FBI Special Agents, prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and investigators from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  I commend them all.  These schemes, based on absolute greed, prey on the vulnerable by perverting trust.  The FBI will continue to work with our partners to track down such schemes and bring those responsible to justice,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris.

In addition to the FBI, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) participated in the investigation. Nadine E. Gurley, Special Agent in Charge at HUD, stated “HUD OIG is dedicated to protecting HUD from individuals seeking to defraud the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program.  HUD OIG will continue to partner with other federal, state and local authorities to ensure that corrupt individuals do not use their positions to enrich themselves at the government’s expense.  We remain steadfast in working with the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue any unscrupulous individuals who attempt to defraud our programs for their own personal enrichment.”

The maximum sentence the Roushes face is imprisonment for 20 years, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release for three years.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Ian Conits and Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government. 

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Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jadarius Oshar McCray, 23, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that on April 22, 2018, an officer with the Myrtle Beach Police Department responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun.  The caller described a subject who approached the caller and asked for money the subject thought the caller owed him.  When the caller told the subject he didn’t know the subject and didn’t owe him any money, the subject pointed a firearm at him and threatened him.  When a group of women walked through a nearby parking lot, the subject fled on foot.  An officer located McCray, who matched the subject’s description, walking in a parking lot near the incident location and told McCray to stop.  McCray turned around, looked at the officer, and then disappeared around a building corner for a few seconds before returning into the officer’s view.  Officers detained McCray and located an unloaded .380 caliber handgun in the brush directly behind where McCray had disappeared. 

Federal law prohibits McCray from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior felony convictions for pointing and presenting a firearm and unlawful carrying of a weapon.

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced McCray to 57 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Myrtle Beach Police Department. 

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Tyrone Mayes, 28, of Columbia, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Mayes, a convicted felon, possessed a loaded 9mm handgun, along with ammunition, while fishing on the Santee River in Calhoun County.  On October 15, 2017, an officer with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approached the boat where Mayes was fishing to conduct a safety inspection.  While conducting the inspection, the Officer asked to see the contents of a drawstring bag that Mayes was holding to check for fish.  Mayes did not allow the officer to inspect the bag, but instead jumped into the water with the bag in hand and dropped the bag in the river.  Later, DNR assembled a dive team, along with other officers, to search for the bag in the river.  The dive team recovered the bag after approximately 2 ½ hours, finding a loaded 9mm handgun, along with ammunition, digital scales, and a cell phone.   The gun had been previously reported as stolen from a vehicle.  Mayes, a felon, admitted to possessing the gun and ammunition.

Federal law prohibits Mayes from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his felony status.  His prior state felony convictions include: 2nd degree burglary (2006), grand larceny (2010), and 2 counts of attempted murder (2013).

United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Mayes to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 2-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the South Carolina DNR.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.  Assistant United States Attorney Beth Warren of the Columbia office and Executive Assistant United States Attorney Charlie Bourne of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Donnell Salethian Woodard, a/k/a “Tank,” age 31, of Columbia, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to sex traffic minors and benefiting from sex trafficking of minors.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on November 21, 2017, undercover officers with the Lexington Police Department encountered a minor advertising sex via a website. An undercover officer set up a time to meet with the minor at a local motel, wherein officers observed the minor being dropped off by Woodard and India Tykeyah-Najee Cuyler, a/k/a “Lady Tank,” age 24. Officers placed both Woodard and Cuyler under arrest. The investigation led to another nearby motel where a second minor, who was also involved in the illegal venture, was located. The investigation revealed Woodard and Cuyler were using a cell phone to post advertisements for commercial sex with the minors on a website and taking a portion of the proceeds. Woodard and Cuyler were both charged federally.

Woodard faces of mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, a trafficking fund special assessment of $5,000, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and at least 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervised release.  Cuyler previously pleaded guilty in federal court to using a facility of interstate commerce (a cell phone) to entice a minor under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activity and is awaiting sentencing. Cuyler faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, a trafficking fund special assessment of $5,000, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and at least 5 years and up to a lifetime of supervised release. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence both Woodard and Cuyler after receiving and reviewing sentencing reports prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Lexington Police Department, and the West Columbia Police Department.  It 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Maurice Avent, age 48, of Georgetown, pleaded guilty in federal court to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act.  United States District Court Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will sentence Avent after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.  

Evidence presented at the hearing established that at the end of August 2018, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) received a complaint about raw sewage in the marsh behind a hotel in Georgetown.  A duty officer went to the hotel and observed a concrete pump station, also known as a wet well, with a black hose coming out of the top.  The hose was attached to a sump pump.  Raw sewage was inside the wet well.  The hose ran through the back parking lot, over a wooden fence, and into the marsh.  The sump pump was running at the time and was discharging sewage into the marsh. 

Maintenance man Maurice Avent was contacted and said that the two pumps that normally emptied the well had stopped working.  Those pumps routed sewage from the wet well into the city sewage system.  When a fix was not immediately available, Avent improvised.  He bought the sump pump and directed the hose into the marsh.  The hose had been in place for about a week, but the sump pump only activated when needed.

City and state government officials suggested to Avent that he put the hose into the city sewage opening, which is where the original pumps – when working – were routed, and he followed that suggestion.

The maximum penalty faced by Avent is imprisonment for one year, with a potential fine between $2,500 and $25,000 for each day of the violation.  

The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the City of Georgetown investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office, and Emily Evans Limehouse, of Charleston, are prosecuting the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Lisa Cohen, age 55, and her brother Natale Colitte, age 51, both of North Charleston, were sentenced in federal court for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Cohen to 12 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and sentenced Colitte to 8 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.   

Evidence presented in the case established that Colitte began living with Cohen and her 17-year-old son Sebastian Cohen in late June 2017.  Despite knowledge of her son’s substance abuse issues, Cohen routinely purchased heroin and sent Colitte to purchase heroin.  Cohen and Colitte would then share the heroin while also allowing Sebastian to use the drugs.  In September 2017, Cohen brought Sebastian home after a short stay at a treatment facility.  She and Colitte initially began providing Sebastian with methamphetamine in an attempt to dissuade him from using heroin before ultimately sharing heroin with him again. 

Despite their source of supply, Brian Lee (who is awaiting sentencing in a separate federal case), telling them that the heroin he was selling them was stronger than what he had previously been giving them, Cohen and Colitte still made no efforts to keep the drugs from Sebastian.  On September 25, 2017, Cohen traded jewelry to her source of supply for what she believed was heroin and methamphetamine.  The following day, Colitte became unconscious after injecting some of the drugs and was moved from the bathroom to the couch by Cohen and Sebastian.  Later that night, Cohen found Sebastian unconscious on the kitchen floor.  Sebastian was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics and later testing showed that Sebastian died from an overdose of fentanyl, while also having methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death.  Cohen and Colitte proceeded to finish using the remaining drugs the following day. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to stemming the tide of the opioid epidemic through strategic community partnerships as well as the aggressive prosecution of individuals who distribute these deadly drugs without regard for the lives of others,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “That a mother, aided by her brother, would willingly provide such dangerous drugs to her 17-year-old son, ultimately causing his death, is beyond comprehension.  The tragic facts of this case demonstrate the dire impact this crisis is having on families across the country.  We will continue to fight to provide some measure of justice to families like Sebastian’s, who have lost loved ones much too soon.”  

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, “An unprecedented, tragic loss of life in this investigation defines the severity of the prescription opioid crisis this country is experiencing. In this case, the defendants distributed opioids to Sebastian Cohen. Tragically, the drugs led to his death. DEA, its law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to bringing to justice those responsible for fueling this deadly crisis.” 

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the North Charleston Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston Office is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina -- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Gabrielle Chase Watts, age 35, of Lexington, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and distribution of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia imposed the sentence. After 10 years, Watts will remain under court-ordered supervision for an additional 6 years. There is no parole in the federal system. 

Evidence presented in court established that on June 4, 2018, deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department used a confidential informant to purchase approximately .38 grams of methamphetamine from Watts. Additional evidence established that on June 11, 2018, officers with the West Columbia Police Department were patrolling McSwain Drive in West Columbia in reference to ongoing complaints of criminal activity. Officers received information that Watts was selling drugs from a hotel in the area. They made contact with Watts as he was knocking on the door of room 111 of the hotel, and Watts advised he was trying to make contact with the person in room 111 because he heard the person was trying to sell televisions. Officers could see a knife clipped on Watts’ pants and seized it for the duration of the contact.  When Officers asked Watts if he had anything else on his person, Watts turned his right side away from them, which was consistent with someone trying to conceal something. Officers conducted a pat-down and asked Watts what else he had on him, and Watts said he had a gun in his pocket. Officers retrieved a loaded .32 Charter Arms revolver from Watts’ right front pocket as well as a baggie of approximately 5.5 grams methamphetamine and a digital scale with residue consistent with methamphetamine. Additionally, on July 19, 2018, Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies received information that Watts, who had unserved warrants from Richland County, was staying at a hotel in West Columbia.  Deputies located Watts and found approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine in his hotel room. 

Federal law prohibits Watts from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon multiple prior state convictions: a 2006 criminal conspiracy, a 2008 criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, a 2009 strong arm robbery and criminal conspiracy, and a 2016 possession of methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the West Columbia Police Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Casey Rankin Smith of the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that this week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina joined 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands as a co-sponsor of the 20th annual Southern States Victim Assistance Conference.  The conference, which took place August 27-29 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, aimed to improve support services for victims of all types of crime by providing training opportunities to federal, state, and local law enforcement, victim assistance professionals, prosecutors, NGOs, and others involved in the criminal justice system. 

This year’s theme was Building Partnerships to Expand Our Reach, and the curriculum emphasized a multidisciplinary approach to victim services that is victim-centered, practice-based, and research-informed.  Training topics included hate crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, the opioid crisis, elder abuse, and underserved populations.

The Conference recognized the distinguished service of two South Carolinians during its Crime Victims Service Awards ceremony.  Easter LaRoche, Coordinator of Victim Services for the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized as an outstanding victim advocate.  LaRoche supervises eight victim advocates and carries her own caseload, working to make sure that victims and their families who come into contact with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office have their voices heard and their interests protected.  The Medical University of South Carolina’s Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, led by Dr. Dean Kilpatrick, Ph.D., was recognized as an outstanding victim services provider.  Since its opening in 1977, the Center has provided specialized mental health and clinical services for crime victims and their families and conducted innovative research, education, and training to advance scientific and public understanding of the mental health impacts of exposure to crime.

“One of the highest callings of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to seek justice for victims of crime, ensuring they have a voice in our legal system and working to find, prosecute, and convict those who have harmed them,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “The Southern States Victim Assistance Conference provides invaluable training for the women and men on the front lines of victim services, and we are proud to be a part of it.  We are especially proud of the hard work and dedication of Easter LaRoche, Dr. Dean Kilpatrick, and his team at the Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, who have rightfully been recognized for the important work they do to serve crime victims throughout our state.”

Representing the U.S. Attorney’s Office on the Conference’s Executive Committee was Victim Witness Coordinator Clarissa W. Whaley, who also serves as Chair of Program Development.  Through the annual Southern States Victim Assistance Conference, Whaley and the Executive Committee support the Department of Justice’s mission to ensure continued education and increased awareness regarding issues affecting victims of crimes.  

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that after an eight-day trial, a federal jury convicted Glenn Pernell, 41, his sister Whitney Pernell, 29, and their cousin Fatima Ford, 33, all of Marion County, and Santerrio Smith, 31, and Terrence Dunlap, 25, of Columbia, on drug trafficking charges.  These five defendants were charged along with 11 others in a 53-count Superseding Indictment alleging drug conspiracy and related charges.

“This case shows once again that the unfettered use of contraband cell phones enables inmates to continue committing crimes that harm the public even while they are behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, we will continue to fight the public safety threat caused by contraband cell phones in our prisons.  We applaud the FBI’s Columbia Violent Gang Task Force and the trial team for their tireless work in dismantling this drug trafficking ring, which was responsible for pouring cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin into our neighborhoods.”

According to the evidence, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Columbia Violent Gang Task Force (CVGTF) began investigating Smith in 2016 for drug trafficking.  Wiretaps on Smith’s phones revealed a network of individuals with whom Smith was heavily involved, including Terrence Dunlap, Smith’s “right-hand man,” who stored cocaine and heroin for Smith and who cooked cocaine into crack cocaine for sale on the streets of Richland County.  Agents discovered that one of Smith’s primary drug suppliers was Glenn Pernell, an inmate at Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville.  Pernell used contraband cell phones to communicate with Smith and arrange for deliveries of cocaine and heroin to Smith.  Pernell relied on family members and close friends, including his sister Whitney Pernell and his cousin Fatima Ford, to store drugs and money for his drug trafficking organization.

Three other women testified that, while he was incarcerated, Glenn Pernell contacted them through Facebook.  After he made a personal connection with the women, Pernell sent each of them gifts and money to help pay their bills.  Eventually, Pernell began asking for favors in return; the women began making drug and money runs for Pernell until July 3, 2017, when one of the women was stopped by law enforcement while on her way to deliver a large amount of cocaine to Smith.  

After deliberating for nearly a day, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges: 

Glenn Pernell was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin.  He was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 1 kilogram or more of heroin.  He was also convicted of four counts of use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Whitney Pernell was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin.  She was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 1 kilogram or more of heroin.  She was also convicted of one count of use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Fatima Ford was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin.  She was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 1 kilogram or more of heroin.

Santerrio Smith was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin.  He was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and 100 grams or more of heroin.  He was also convicted of two counts of use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.

Terrence Dunlap was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and heroin.  He was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin.  He was also convicted of one count of use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

As a result of the convictions, each of the defendants faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in federal prison.  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia presided over the trial and will impose a sentence on each of the defendants after receiving and reviewing pre-sentence reports prepared by the United States Probation Office. 

“Dismantling drug trafficking organizations is a continuing priority for the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris.  “These verdicts are the results of the commitment and perseverance of our Agents and partners within the Violent Crime Task Force, to include the dedicated staff of the United States Attorney’s Office.  Together, we will continue to work to make South Carolina a safer and better place to live.” 

 “This is another example of why we need to allow state prisons to jam cell phone signals,” said South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling.  “Inmates are physically locked away behind bars, but with a contraband cell phone, they are virtually out amongst us. They are able to continue their criminal activity, and they keep wrecking lives in the process.”

This case was investigated by the FBI’s CVGTF, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington Police Department, Sumter Police Department, and the South Carolina National Guard, with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jane B. Taylor, Benjamin N. Garner, and Christopher D. Taylor of the Columbia office.

 

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Remario Revonte Austin, age 37, of Greenville, was convicted following a jury trial in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Evidence presented by the Government during the trial established that on March 22, 2017, a Greenville Police Department Officer stopped the car Austin was driving for a traffic violation. During the stop, the officer located a suspected controlled substance in Austin’s pocket and then conducted a search of the car Austin was driving. Recovered from the glove compartment was a loaded .40 caliber pistol.  Laboratory analysis found that Austin’s DNA was located on the trigger of the firearm.

Federal law prohibits Austin from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions, including a prior federal conviction for drug conspiracy and prior state convictions for unlawful possession of a pistol, possession of a pistol with an obliterated serial number, possession of a weapon, assault and battery, and criminal domestic violence.

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of Spartanburg presided over the trial and will sentence Austin after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office is prosecuting the case.

 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Keycon Deonte Keitt, age 32, of Orangeburg, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Following the term of imprisonment, Keitt will remain on federal supervised release for an additional three years. There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented in court established that on March 5, 2018, officers with the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety were conducting a property check at the Econolodge on John C. Calhoun Drive when they noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside a vehicle.  The driver gave consent to search the vehicle and Keitt was seen reaching around the back seat.  When officers ordered him to stop reaching and to exit the vehicle, a Taurus 9mm pistol was recovered from the area where Keitt was sitting, and Keitt admitted to ownership of the loaded 9mm pistol.  An additional loaded magazine was recovered from inside Keitt’s right pant leg.

Keitt entered a guilty plea and did not contest an enhanced sentence based on his multiple prior felony convictions and because the firearm was used in connection with another felony conviction, possession of methamphetamine.

In handing down the maximum sentence provided by the statute, United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, considered evidence from a pre-sentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office and an affidavit of ATF Special Agent Richard Brown that indicated Keitt had a history of firearm-related violence and threats.  According to the report and affidavit, over a 14-year period Keitt was involved in nine incidents involving a shooting or a threatened shooting, including incidents in which four victims were shot and at least 10 victims were threatened with a shooting.  The report and affidavit also indicated Keitt was involved in four shootings or threatened shootings in 2018 involving women and children.    

The U.S. Probation Report also indicated Keitt had operated under multiple aliases, social security numbers, and birth dates.

Federal law prohibits Keitt from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon multiple prior state convictions:  a 2004 burglary conviction; a 2005 possession of a stolen vehicle conviction; a 2006 conviction for threatening the life of a public official, where he threatened a local police officer with retaliation for an arrest; 2006 convictions for breaking into vehicles and possession of a stolen vehicle; a 2007 assault conviction related to a shooting in Orangeburg; two 2008 convictions for pointing and presenting a firearm; and 2008 convictions for criminal domestic violence, assault and battery, and malicious injury to private property for an incident where he struck and then threatened to shoot two women before breaking a window out of one victim’s vehicle; a 2008 conviction for malicious injury to private property; and two 2011 convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for an incident where he shot two victims and was sentenced to seven years in state prison.  Keitt was released from state prison in August 2018 and arrested for firearm-related violence and threats in the Spring of 2019.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Florence, South Carolina --- U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that less than nine months after 33 Horry County and Myrtle Beach drug traffickers were indicted based on a federal wiretap investigation into the G-Shine/SMG gang, all 33 have pleaded guilty and are being sentenced in federal court. 

“When we lock arms with our local, state, and federal agencies to get the most violent offenders off our streets, our communities notice an immediate and sustained positive impact,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “In the first half of 2017, there were 14 homicides in Horry County.  After the Operation Rise and Shine takedown, that number dropped to three homicides in the first half of this year.  Robberies and aggravated assaults have also noticeably declined.  This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the Project Safe Neighborhoods model, and we will continue to replicate it across the state as we combat violent crime and the opioid epidemic.”

The evidence presented by Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian in court hearings reflects that each of the defendants named in the indictment were members and/or associates of a drug trafficking organization known by the name “G-Shine,” formerly known as Gangster Killer Bloods.  G-Shine is a Bloods Gang set that evolved from the United Blood Nation in the late 1990s.  G-Shine originated in the New York/New Jersey area and migrated along the east coast and now has sets, or sub-groups, in multiple states including New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  Shine Money Gang is a sub-set of G-Shine that is based in the Longs, South Carolina, area.  G-Shine’s gang members and associates engage in the sale of narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, crack cocaine, and other substances, and use firearms to defend themselves and their criminal enterprise.  The evidence reflects that multiple overdoses are attributed to the drugs this gang distributed.  This group was specifically pursued for federal prosecution because local law enforcement identified it as one of the most problematic gangs in Horry County. 

Authorities used a number of investigative techniques to obtain the evidence needed to secure convictions against this group, including controlled purchases of narcotics, undercover surveillance, interviews of confidential human sources, and a court-authorized wiretap.  The investigation was a multi-year, collaborative effort by several local and state agencies, including the Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, Myrtle Beach Police Department, Conway Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, and United States Postal Inspection Service.  The wiretap investigation was quarterbacked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in concert with the other agencies.  Assistant United States Attorneys Everett McMillian and Justin Holloway are prosecuting the case with support from the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Several defendants pleaded guilty within weeks of being arrested during the December 12, 2018, takedown of the organization that involved approximately 125 agents from 12 different law enforcement agencies in and around South Carolina.  The final two defendants pleaded guilty on July 22, 2019, just days before their jury trial was set to begin in Florence.  Twenty-six of the defendants have already been sentenced—with several of the organization’s leaders and suppliers receiving sentences of 10 years or more in federal prison, as follows: 

• Christopher Kayvon Giddens, of Longs, sentenced to 198 months
• Kennis Lorenzo Willard, of Longs, sentenced to 121 months
• Aaron Delond Stanley, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 120 months
• Farentino Santonia Green, of Conway, sentenced to 120 months
• Christopher Lamont Pino, of Little River, sentenced to 120 months
• Trey Levert Cox, of Poplar, sentenced to 120 months
• Richard Earl Hemingway, Jr., of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 108 months
• Rashea Omar Jenerette, of Poplar, sentenced to 84 months
• Shaquille Anthony Gore, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 84 months
• Ralph Cleodus Willard, Jr., of Little River, sentenced to 72 months
• Cory Antwan Pertell, of Loris, sentenced to 60 months
• Glen Garrick Holley, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 60 months
• Crystal Nicole Dickey, of Little River, sentenced to 54 months
• Dennis Tyron Chestnut, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 46 months
• Montea Daryel Myers, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 41 months
• Marcus Antonio Hemingway, of Longs, sentenced to 36 months
• Donte Raquan Xavier Livingston, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 36 months
• Jada Teal Abril Pyatt, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 36 months
• Myland Castelle Davis, of Conway, sentenced to 30 months
• Xavier Jermaine Horne, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 30 months
• Eddie Mario Jones, of Myrtle Beach, sentenced to 30 months
• Wendy Elaine Blue, of Longs, sentenced to 30 months
• Kalaera Marie Gee, of Aynor, sentenced to 21 months
• Blake Lashay Evans, of Longs, sentenced to 18 months
• Terrance Damon Richardson, Jr., of Longs, sentenced to 12 months
• Katelyn Anne Stetler, of Little River, sentenced to Time Served

The remaining defendants will likely be sentenced in the coming weeks. 

“We truly believe that public safety is a shared responsibility, and this case is a perfect example,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.  “The efforts of all agencies involved in this case, and the support of the U.S. Attorney and those assisting in the coordination and prosecution, continue to impact the reduction of crime in the Myrtle Beach area. Year to date, Myrtle Beach has had a 14% reduction in Part I crimes, and we attribute this to the ongoing dedication of our team, the partnerships with our local, state and federal agencies, and our community working together to identify those individuals polluting our community with these behaviors. The collaborative enforcement and prosecution effort to address this has been impactful. We are continuously working internally and with our partners to fight the battle on crime. Our message is clear:  Don’t come to our area to commit crimes, because you will be caught.”

This prosecution is just one element of a continued and increased focus on stopping violent crime and eradicating the sources of supply of dangerous opioids and other illegal narcotics in the Myrtle Beach area, in Horry County, and across South Carolina.  This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.

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Additional information about this case can be found on the docket of the United States District Court, Criminal Case Number 4:18-CR-1080. 

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Richard Darryl Moon, age 55, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Evidence presented to the court showed that the York County Sheriff’s Department was notified by an online gun distributor after Moon, a felon, had attempted to sell a SKS rifle online. That, coupled with information that Moon was selling firearms from his residence in Rock Hill, led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit to open an investigation. Two undercover buys of firearms were made from Moon at his residence in September 2016. During those undercover buys, Moon was seen with assault rifles, handguns, and shotguns. Thereafter, in October 2016, a federal search warrant was executed upon Moon’s residence, where agents recovered four rifles, a shotgun, two handguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Agents also recovered a handgun from Moon’s truck.  Moon, a felon, admitted to buying and selling firearms for six years, both online and in person.

Moon is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition. His prior state convictions include: possession of cocaine (1988), driving under the influence 3rd offense (1996), criminal domestic violence (2002), disorderly conduct (2002), criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (2002), and accessory after the fact of murder (2004). 

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Moon to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 2-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. In light of Moon’s current medical condition, the court allowed Moon to delay his report date to federal prison until the fall.

The case was investigated by ATF and the York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

 

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