District of South Carolina

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that James Latron Sumter, a/k/a “T”, age 35, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine and heroin, the use of which resulted in serious bodily injury or death.  Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted Sumter’s plea and imposed the sentence.  

“The United States Attorney’s Office is locking arms with our state and local partners in the fight to end the opioid epidemic in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Locally, we are assisting our partners in Myrtle Beach and Horry County by working hand-in-hand with their narcotics and homicide detectives to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who deal these deadly drugs.  Together, we are holding accountable the men and women introducing this poison into the Grand Strand and across South Carolina.”

At the change of plea and sentencing hearings, Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian presented evidence that reflects Sumter was contacted on December 29, 2017, by co-conspirator Charles Rayford Hunt, Jr., who was seeking to purchase what is commonly called a “speedball”—a potent combination of cocaine and heroin—for $100 for a female acquaintance of Hunt’s.  Hunt met the female while working as an Uber driver and had a short-lived romantic relationship with her for two days prior to this incident.  As reflected in text messages between Hunt and Sumter and statements from witnesses, Hunt drove the female victim to an apartment where Sumter provided the drugs sometime after 9:00 pm.  Hunt then drove the victim to his apartment where she snorted the drugs and immediately thereafter showed signs of an overdose.  Upon seeing her reaction, Hunt contacted Sumter and returned to pick him up.  Not wanting to take the overdosing victim home to her father with whom she lived, Hunt and Sumter drove around and eventually stopped at Magoo’s Sports & Spirits to play pool sometime after midnight—leaving the overdosing victim passed out in the back seat of the car.   After playing pool, Hunt took Sumter back to the apartment complex and drove around the Myrtle Beach area with the victim still passed out in the back seat of his car.  Eventually, Hunt realized the victim had quit breathing at which time he “panicked” and dumped her body in a wooded area just across the North Carolina border during the early morning hours of December 30.  Hunt then drove back to Myrtle Beach, throwing the victim’s cell phone into the intercostal waterway on the way back.  He took the victim’s purse and belongings to another conspirator, Jose Anthony Ortiz, Jr., who destroyed many of the victim’s personal items in a burn pit at Hunt’s request. 

On December 31, Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration learned of the incident.  Working together, the FBI and DEA quickly collaborated with detectives from the Horry County Police Department and Columbus County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina to unravel the scheme.  Hunt was located, promptly confessed his role in the event, and led officials to the victim’s body.  An autopsy and toxicology report later confirmed the victim died as a result of a heroin and cocaine overdose.  Further investigation uncovered that Sumter had conspired with several other individuals in the Myrtle Beach area during 2017 to distribute cocaine and heroin on other occasions.  The evidence reflects that another overdose in January 2017 may also be attributable to heroin Sumter provided.  This second victim was revived by first responders using Narcan, and he has since reportedly recovered from his addiction. 

Hunt and Ortiz were prosecuted for their roles in covering up the overdose.  Both men pleaded guilty and are currently serving sentences in federal prison.  Sumter has been in custody since he was arrested on this charge in August 2018. 

This case is the result of a concentrated effort to disrupt and dismantle the flow of deadly opioids into the Myrtle Beach area.  By partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the United States Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who deal in illegal narcotics, especially those individuals who distribute opioids that cause serious bodily injury or death to others.

 

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Shamari Delresse Jones, a/k/a “Amari,” age 34, and Jokari T. Jones, age 36, both of Columbia, were each sentenced to federal prison. Shamari Jones was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Jokari Jones was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and to misprison of a felony.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of July 29, 2017, officers with the Columbia Police Department were on routine patrol on West Beltline Boulevard and observed Shamari Jones driving. They knew that his driver’s license was under suspension. After confirming that his license was suspended and noticing that the license plate on the vehicle came back to a completely different vehicle, officers initiated a traffic stop. Shamari Jones, the driver, and the passenger both exited the vehicle and Shamari Jones was observed with a baggie in his hands. Shamari Jones fled on foot as the officers approached, but he was apprehended and the baggie was found to contain rounds of .44 caliber ammunition. While the officers were pursuing Shamari Jones, the passenger left in the vehicle. Shamari Jones was arrested on state charges.

The following day, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office responded to Shamari Jones’ mother’s home in Heath Springs in reference to a shooting. No one was injured, but while at the home, a number of firearms and rounds of ammunition were recovered by law enforcement, including a Bushmaster .223 caliber rifle with an extended magazine and two 12 gauge shotguns.

The investigation revealed that immediately after Shamari Jones’ arrest for being in possession of the ammunition, his brother—Jokari Jones—and another individual moved the firearms from Shamari Jones’ Columbia home to his mother’s home in an effort to keep law enforcement from finding the firearms. At the time of federal offense, Jokari Jones was on state bond from an unrelated state offense two weeks earlier and was on GPS monitoring.

The investigation also showed that in October 2015, Shamari Jones, a known gang member, had attended the CeaseFire Columbia Offender Notification meeting in which he, and others, were advised by law enforcement officials that should they be found in possession of firearms and ammunition, their case would be considered for federal prosecution in light of their extensive prior records.

Federal law prohibits Shamari Jones from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior South Carolina state convictions, including: assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, where he shot an individual (2004); possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of cocaine (2009); assault with intent to kill, where he shot at a group of individuals and a female was shot in the crossfire (2 counts) (2009); possession of cocaine (2010); and possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2015).

Federal law also prohibits Jokari Jones from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior South Carolina state convictions, including: unlawful carrying of a pistol (2003); assault with intent to kill, wherein he shot at an individual (February 2005); assault with intent to kill (2 counts) and unlawful carrying of a weapon, wherein he shot at an individual and was later apprehended in possession of a handgun with an obliterated serial number (March 2005);  criminal domestic violence (2006); unlawful carrying of a weapon (2006); unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence (2012); carrying weapons on school property, wherein he was observed on video surveillance shooting a firearm at an individual on the premises of Arden Elementary School (2012); and unlawful carrying of a weapon, wherein he was found in possession of a firearm with a loaded high capacity extended magazine (2016).

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Shamari Jones to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision.  Judge Lewis sentenced Jokari Jones to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by ATF, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the 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 Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

 

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Randall G. Scott, age 50, of Richland County, has entered a guilty plea in federal court to possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.  Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has received and reviewed a sentencing report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.

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 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 maximum penalty Scott faces for this charge is 10 years in federal prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and 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 Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia are prosecuting the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that after a three-day trial and two hours of deliberation, a federal jury found Dayquan O’Neal Phillips, age 23, of Lexington County, guilty of 10 counts: four counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, three counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, two counts of Distribution of Cocaine, and one count of Distribution of Cocaine and Marijuana.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia presided over the trial and will sentence Phillips after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that on four separate occasions between May 10, 2018, and May 25, 2018, Philips sold or planned to sell more than $10,000 worth of firearms and distribution-level amounts of cocaine and marijuana to a confidential informant (CI) working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case began as a proactive investigation after ATF determined Phillips was selling drugs and firearms together out of Lexington County.  ATF captured each of the sales with audio and video surveillance equipment. 

On May 10, 2018, Phillips sold 2.55 grams of cocaine, 64 grams of marijuana, and a 9mm pistol.  One day later, Phillips sold 27.3 grams of cocaine and a loaded .357 magnum revolver pistol.  About one week later, on May 17, Phillips sold 57 grams of cocaine and a loaded .380 Bersa pistol.  Finally, on May 25, Phillips planned to sell 57 grams of cocaine and a .380 Jiminez pistol, but moments before the sale, Phillips and the CI planned and executed a fake robbery of the CI, after which Phillips and the CI planned to split the more than $4,600 of ATF-provided funds the CI was carrying. 

Based on their monitor of the surveillance equipment, ATF and local law enforcement responded to the fourth sale fearing the CI had been robbed and kidnapped.  Agents soon recovered the surveillance equipment on a roadside near Phillips’ residence and uncovered the plans for the fake robbery.  The CI was then federally indicted and arrested for theft of government funds.  More than $4,000 in U.S. currency was recovered at Phillips’ arrest. 

Taken together, Phillips sold or planned to sell 143.5 grams of cocaine, 64 grams of marijuana, and four firearms to the ATF CI.  In addition, at the time of his arrest, Phillips was seeking a Mac-10 pistol and an AK-47 to sell to the ATF CI.

At trial, the Government presented video and audio recordings of each sale and the fake robbery; the drugs, firearms, and ammunition Phillips sold or planned to sell; and equipment Phillips used in his drug trafficking operation.  The jury also reviewed text messages from Phillips’ phone that corroborated his trade in drugs and firearms.  Witnesses included agents from the ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Lexington County Police Department, as well as Phillips and the CI.

Federal law prohibits Phillips from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior state felony drug distribution conviction and a state unlawful carrying of a pistol conviction.  

For the Felon in Possession of a Firearm convictions, Phillips faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release.  For the Distribution of Cocaine convictions, Phillips faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  For the Distribution of Marijuana conviction, Phillips faces up to 10 years in federal prison. For the Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime convictions, taken together, Phillips faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in federal prison, consecutive to any additional sentence he receives. 

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.

The case was investigated by agents and officers of the ATF, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Batesburg-Leesville Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys William Camden Lewis and Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

Spartanburg, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Detric McGowan, aka “Fat,” 46, of Piedmont, has entered a guilty plea in federal court to participating in a drug conspiracy involving cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and tramadol; possessing a kilogram or more of heroin with the intent to distribute; conspiring to launder money; obstruction of justice/witness tampering; and obstruction of justice/retaliation. United States District Donald Coggins of Spartanburg accepted the guilty plea and will impose McGowan’s sentence after the United States Probation Office prepares a presentence report. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing showed that beginning as early as 2016, law enforcement in Greenwood County began to see a rise in the number of opioid-abuse related cases, drug overdose deaths, and overdose non-fatalities attributed particularly to heroin and fentanyl toxicity.  Commonly found at the opioid overdose incidents and routinely seized by local law enforcement were counterfeit 30 milligram-size blue prescription pain pills laced with heroin and/or fentanyl and scored with a “V” on one side and “4812” on the other side.

Based on human intelligence, advanced electronic surveillance, the execution of search warrants, and other investigative techniques, law enforcement determined that McGowan, working with others, was a member of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Upstate of South Carolina, primarily in Laurens and Greenwood Counties, that was responsible for the distribution of in excess of $1 million dollars’ worth of heroin, cocaine, and/or fentanyl in the Upstate and elsewhere.  Police seized in excess of 20 kilograms of heroin and approximately $1 million during the investigation.  McGowan was indicted along with several co-conspirators in February 2019 and taken into custody.

Recently, McGowan began to discuss with a person who was incarcerated with him having his prosecutor and at least one witness killed. This person alerted law enforcement to the threat and an immediate investigation began. The evidence showed that McGowan had become frustrated with his legal position and desired his prosecutor and a witness killed. McGowan was recorded agreeing to pay the person $10,000 to kill the prosecutor and witness and providing information about how to find the targets. He also provided a telephone number and wrote down the name of the witness, so that upon release the cooperator could carry out the plan. McGowan confessed to the FBI of the plot that he had put in motion.

On the drug and obstruction counts, McGowan faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

The drug case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Criminal Chief for the Narcotics Unit, is prosecuting the drug case.

The threat was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, and the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Katie Stoughton are prosecuting the threat case, along with Assistant United States Attorney Jason Peavy, Deputy Criminal Chief for the White Collar Unit.

#####

Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Healy announced today that Miguel Bautista-Manuel, age 41, of Mexico, and Travis Lee Nixon, age 29, of Greenville, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by attempting to fraudulently acquire “U-Visas” for Bautista-Manuel, Jose Pineda-Hernandez, age 38, of Honduras, and Oscar Pineda-Martinez, age 24, of Honduras.  Senior United States District Court Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville sentenced Bautista-Manuel to 8.5 months in federal prison and Nixon to 12 months in federal prison.  Pineda-Martinez was previously sentenced to time-served, and Pineda-Hernandez is awaiting sentencing. 

U-Visas, so named from the statutory provision authorizing their issuance, are intended to provide lawful immigration status to victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and who are willing to assist law enforcement in the prosecution of the criminal activity.  The number of U-visas that can be issued each year is statutorily limited.

Facts presented in court established that Bautista-Manuel engaged Nixon to act as the perpetrator of a staged armed robbery of which Bautista-Manuel, Pineda-Hernandez, and Pineda-Martinez were the purported victims.  The three reported the staged robbery to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, which devoted resources to investigating the robbery.  Bautista-Manuel, Pineda-Hernandez, and Pineda-Martinez then used the purported armed robbery, and their assistance in its investigation, as the basis for fraudulent petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services seeking U-Visas.

“U-Visas play an important role in helping victims of serious crimes obtain justice,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Those who commit fraud to obtain them divert already limited law enforcement resources and deprive true victims with a sincere willingness to assist law enforcement of legal immigration benefits.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Healy added, “Fraud like that committed by these defendants not only delays the issuance of U-Visas to legitimate crime victims but also wastes limited law enforcement resources.”

Agents of Homeland Security Investigations in Greenville investigated the case, with assistance from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys David Stephens and Max Cauthen, both of the Greenville office, prosecuted the case.

#####

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Andreika Mouzon, age 29, of Kingstree, and Flossie Brockington, age 29, of Columbia, pleaded guilty to federal charges involving a scheme to defraud and extort military service members.  Mouzon pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and Brockington pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Mouzon and Brockington were involved in a scheme to extort and defraud Department of Defense service members.  According to evidence presented to the court, during the course of the scheme, inmates posed as females on dating apps and began communicating with service members.  Posing as the females, the inmates sent nude photographs of young females to the service members and solicited nude photographs in exchange.  The inmates then posed as the females’ father or impersonated law enforcement, claiming that the service member was in possession of child pornography and threatening to have him arrested if he did not pay money.  The inmates utilized money mules, including Mouzon and Brockington, who would receive the extorted funds via wire transfer directly from the service members, then transfer the money to inmates and their associates. 

During the course of the conspiracy, Mouzon was responsible for transferring $20,421.73 of extorted funds from at least 11 service members, and Brockington was responsible for transferring $14,465.00 of extorted funds from at least eight service members.

Mouzon and Brockington both face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $250,000.00. United States District Judge David C. Norton, of Charleston, accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence Mouzon and Brockington after receiving and reviewing a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command, United States Marshals Service, South Carolina Department of Corrections, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Emily Limehouse of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.

#####

 

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jimmy Dunbar, Jr., age 37, of Bishopville, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and extortion. 

Evidence presented to the court showed that Dunbar was involved in a scheme to extort and defraud Department of Defense service members.  During the course of the scheme, Dunbar posed as females on a dating app and began communicating with service members.  Posing as the females, Dunbar sent nude photographs of young females to the service members and solicited nude photographs in exchange.  Dunbar then posed as the females’ father, claiming that the service member was in possession of child pornography and threatening to have him arrested if he did not pay money.  The service member then transferred funds electronically to Dunbar’s associates.  Dunbar utilized money mules, including a codefendant, who would receive the extorted funds via wire transfer directly from the service members, then transfer the money to Dunbar and other inmates.  From September 2016 to January 2017, Dunbar received approximately $29,598.00 in extorted funds, which investigators traced to at least 17 victims.  At the time of the scheme, Dunbar was serving a 30-year sentence for murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and arson at the Lee Correctional Facility. 

United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Dunbar to a total of 46 months in federal prison, to be served consecutive to the 30-year state sentence he is currently serving.  There is no parole in the federal system.  

This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Services, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command, United States Marshals Service, South Carolina Department of Corrections, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Emily Limehouse of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon, along with Columbia Police Chief W. H. “Skip” Holbrook and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, announced their latest effort to reduce, prevent, and deter violent gun crimes in the City of Columbia and Richland County.

In the Greenview community of North Columbia, the three law enforcement agencies and community partners unveiled a public service campaign designed to comprehensively reduce violent crime while making a lasting impact.  Last year, the United States Department of Justice unveiled Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) 2.0, the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. The initiative fosters safer neighborhoods through sustained reduction in violent crime, so families, especially children, can thrive in safety and without the fear of crime.

“We did not choose Greenview because it has the worst problem with violence,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “We chose it because we believe it is a community that recognizes the need to, and cares enough to, be vigilant about what is going on around you.  The people of North Columbia have the right to live in peace, free from chaos and danger.  We have a responsibility to make sure that you don’t have to hide in your homes.”

Chief Holbrook said, “We have adopted an intelligence-led, data-driven approach to identifying where the crime is occurring, when it is occurring, and who is most likely responsible. It’s not just putting cops on dots of crime. But putting a face with the dots and tasking the best law enforcement resources possible to bring those offenders to count.”  He added, “We need our neighbors to help us. Harden your neighborhoods. Lock your cars, secure your firearms, report suspicious activity. Report all crime. Know your neighbors and, most importantly, know your police officers and deputies.”

Sheriff Lott said, “We’re all in this together.  It’s not just a City thing, it’s not a County thing.  It’s our thing.  This is nothing new for us to come together and work.  We’re going to come together and we’re finding more and more ways of coming together to work as one.  Just like this Greenview community, it may be in the City of Columbia but it’s also in Richland County.  These people who live here know, we will be here too.  You will not only see the City cars; you will see the County cars.  We listen to you.  You tell us what’s going on in your neighborhood.”

One of PSN’s major goals is to implement precision policing, in which law enforcement partners work to identify neighborhoods with a violent crime problem, identify and arrest violent and repeat offenders, then hold them accountable through federal prosecution and federal prison time.

Another part of the PSN initiative is crime prevention. This year, with the financial assistance of Department of Justice grant funds, Columbia and Richland County citizens will start seeing and hearing public service announcements (PSAs) on local television and radio stations, on billboards, and on a Comet bus to drive home the importance of reducing, preventing, and deterring criminal activity.

The overall effort to lower crime cannot be accomplished solely through law enforcement arrests. Partnerships with a heightened emphasis on community engagement can make a lasting impact and pave the way for safer communities.

#####

For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit the following websites:

www.Justice.gov/psn, www.ColumbidPD.net, www.RCSD.net

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Michael Stephen Strawn, 35, of Summerville, was sentenced to over four 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 in March 2018, officers of the North Charleston Police Department responded to a disturbance at a North Charleston restaurant. Officers learned that Michael Steven Strawn had threatened to kidnap an employee and make her disappear after a credit card was declined. Police caught up with Strawn at another restaurant, where a bystander warned an officer that Strawn had a gun. The officer drew his weapon and ordered Strawn to show his hands. When Strawn pulled his hands from his pocket, a loaded .40 caliber Glock fell to the ground, and Strawn was arrested.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Strawn to 51 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 3-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 North Charleston 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 Chris Schoen of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina -- The United States Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), will unveil the latest effort to reduce and prevent violent gun crimes in the City of Columbia and Richland County.

Under the Project Safe Neighborhoods national program, the three law enforcement agencies have developed a community outreach and public service campaign to reduce repeat violence and prevent and deter future violence from occurring.

U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon and representatives from each agency will outline the campaign and explain the overall impact it will have on citizens and their valued communities.

 

When:        Thursday, July 25, 2019 | 10:00 a.m.           

Where:      6100 David Street (Intersection of David and Luke Streets)

                      The Greenview Community – outdoor event

 

*Note to Media: Several visual aids will be available*

 

#####

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that John  Shannon  Simpson, age 44, of Lee County, Florida, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to Wire Fraud.  United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Simpson to four years in federal prison and three years of supervised release to follow.  This sentence will run consecutively with a nine-year state sentence that Simpson is serving in Florida.  Simpson was also ordered to pay restitution of $141,709.44 to the victims of his fraud.

Evidence presented to the court established that in May 2014, Simpson founded a charitable organization entitled “Marines and Mickey” and served as the President. The purpose of the charity was to provide funds to selected United States Marines Corps (USMC) service members and their families to defray their costs of visiting the Walt Disney Resorts. The charity was also supposed to provide funds to the families of newly graduated Marines to defray the families’ costs of attending USMC boot camp graduations, including some held at Parris Island, South Carolina, and San Diego, California.

The charity claimed in its promotions and requests for money that 100% of the donations went directly to Marines and their families through the charity’s programs. The charity actively solicited donations on and near the USMC base in Parris Island, South Carolina, and elsewhere. The remainder of monies raised by the charity were a combination of private and corporate donations to the charity, including by USMC recruits and recent boot camp graduates.

While acting as the charity’s President and in support of fundraising for the charity, Simpson falsely represented himself as a retired career Marine with as much as 20 years of service, a retired Master Sergeant, a former Drill Instructor, and a Recon Marine. 

In fact, Simpson spent less than five years in the Marine Corps. He entered active duty on June 28, 1993. He was absent without leave (AWOL) from June 10, 1996, to June 19, 1997. The highest rank he achieved prior to going AWOL was Lance Corporal/E-3, and his operational specialty was Basic Disbursing Clerk. Simpson was found guilty at a Special Court Martial for violation of Article 86 (Absence without leave) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, was reduced in rank to Private/E-1, and was given a Bad-Conduct Discharge, which was effective on May 5, 1998.

By misleading donors and volunteers about his military background, Simpson was able to add credibility to his solicitations for money.

The charity was in operation from May 2014 through 2016, and it received approximately $481,000 in donations during that time-period.  However, despite Simpson’s claims that 100% of the donations would go to Marines and their families through the charity’s programs, only about $90,000—or about 19% of the donations—were used for charitable purposes. Simpson diverted the remainder of the monies in the charitable accounts, approximately $391,000, for his personal use and enrichment.

The primary victim of Simpson’s scheme was the mother of a United States Marine killed in the active shooter attack at a military center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July 2015. Simpson fraudulently induced the Gold Star mother and others to give Simpson’s charity about $131,000, all in honor of the Gold Star mother’s son, including $75,000 of the Gold Star mother’s own money and $25,000 that the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga donated at the direction of the Gold Star mother.

The charity also held a fundraising benefit in New York to raise money for a Disney World trip for a Marine family whose minor daughter was terminally ill. The charity advertised all proceeds from the event would go to the minor daughter and her family for a Disney World trip, and to help pay for the family’s needs.  Because the minor daughter died prior to the fundraiser, the trip intended for the minor daughter and her family, including her father who is an active duty U.S. Marine Corps Drill Sergeant, was donated to another family at the request of the minor daughter’s family. However, the charity, after paying all of the expenses of the fundraiser and sending the other Marine family to Disney World, still had about $3,200 of donations left over.  Simpson kept that money for himself instead of giving it to the minor daughter’s family.

Additionally, during 2015 and 2016, Simpson made unauthorized withdrawals from the bank accounts of at least seven active-duty Marines who had recently graduated from boot camp.  Simpson convinced them to allow him to make recurring withdrawals from their accounts in nominal amounts to support the charity.  Instead, he used their debit card numbers to make unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts in a combined total amount of more than $5,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Shirley Watson, age 43, of Georgetown, was sentenced in federal court for her role in a multi-year scheme to embezzle funds from her employer, two family-owned real estate businesses. United States District Court Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Watson, who has no prior criminal record, to 18 months in federal prison. 

In January 2019, Watson pleaded guilty to a three-count Information, admitting to two counts of Bank Fraud and one count of Tax Evasion. She admitted that beginning in 2011 and continuing up through 2016, she used her position as a bookkeeper to divert hundreds of thousands of dollars in company funds to herself. She exploited her access to company accounts, writing checks to herself and forging her employer’s signature. She also admitted that she neither reported the income to the Internal Revenue Service nor paid any related taxes.

Upon her release from prison, Watson must pay restitution in the amount of $345,337.43 to the victims and $82,825 to the IRS.  Watson will also serve a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.

The case was investigated by special agents with the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

 

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Leroy Anthony Griffin, 31, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to over 9 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute oxycodone.

Evidence presented to the court showed that this case involved a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in which Griffin, and others at his direction or on his behalf, presented counterfeit and forged prescriptions for oxycodone tablets to various pharmacies in South Carolina and elsewhere.  During the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) seized multiple counterfeit and forged oxycodone prescriptions which were linked to the DTO.  DEA and DHEC also interviewed numerous persons who were involved in the DTO and who identified Griffin as the boss, man in charge, and source of supply for oxycodone, at whose direction they filled counterfeit and forged oxycodone prescriptions. 

On January 31, 2018, agents and officers executed a federal search warrant at a house in Conway. During execution of the search warrant, agents and officers found Griffin in the house hiding in a closet under a pile of clothes.  Agents and officers seized from the house two laptops as well as multiple cell phones containing text messages related to drug distribution, pictures of counterfeit prescriptions, and incoming calls from various pharmacies.  Agents linked the phone numbers of the phones seized to phone numbers printed on the counterfeit prescriptions. 

United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of Spartanburg, sentenced Griffin to 110 months in federal prison, to be followed by a six-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

“Drug trafficking organizations like the one run by Leroy Griffin are flooding our streets with highly addictive prescription opioids like oxycodone,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Dismantling these criminal enterprises and prosecuting those who operate them are critical steps toward loosening the grip of the opioid epidemic on our communities.  We are grateful to DEA, DHEC, SLED, and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit for their continued efforts to stop the unlawful diversion and distribution of legitimate prescription drugs.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, “The amount of prison time Mr. Griffin received correctly reflects his leadership role as the source of supply for dangerous opioid prescriptions like oxycodone. This sentencing removes yet another dangerous criminal from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to indulge in drug trafficking. DEA, its law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue and ultimately prosecute criminals like Mr. Griffin.” 

The case was investigated by the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad and DHEC, assisted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit. 

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

#####

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Dr. Ronald A. Hargrave, age 60, of Mt. Pleasant, has been convicted of Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances after a four-day jury trial in federal court in Charleston.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Charleston presided over the trial and will sentence Hargrave at a later date. 

Evidence presented at trial established that Hargrave accompanied a female patient to the Walgreen’s pharmacy on Devine Street in Columbia around 11:30 pm on Saturday, May 2, 2015, to fill a prescription for Xanax.  Xanax is a controlled substance.  The pharmacist on duty, noticing that the prescription, patient, doctor, and doctor’s office were all out-of-town, questioned the validity of the prescription.  Additionally, the pharmacist testified the female patient and Hargrave acted overly familiar, and that she had never seen a doctor join a patient in her pharmacy to present a prescription.  She refused to fill it and called SC DHEC the next day to report the activity.   

In April 2017, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Investigator Adam Roberson connected the 2015 events to another suspicious after-hours incident involving Hargrave and a female patient.  On March 7, 2017, Hargrave had met a different female at the medical clinic in Moncks Corner where he worked.  That night, Hargrave had sex with the female at the clinic; in exchange, she received $300 cash and a promise to receive four prescriptions for controlled substances, including Xanax and Oxycodone.  Three days later, on March 10, the female presented herself as a patient at the clinic, and Hargrave issued her the painkillers.  He was fired within hours.

The seven counts presented by the Government related to these two relationships as well as two other individuals with whom Hargrave established non-medical reasons for writing opioid prescriptions.    

“We trust our doctors to first do no harm,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “In recent years, Charleston County has distributed a higher concentration of opioid pain pills than any other county in the nation, and in 2017, the county had more opioid overdose deaths than any other county in the state.  As Dr. Hargrave’s guilty verdict shows, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will vigorously prosecute medical providers who ignore the law—and their ethical obligations—by illegally distributing the deadly drugs fueling this epidemic.”

The maximum penalty Hargrave faces for the Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances is twenty years in federal prison and/or a fine of $1,000,000.

The case was investigated by Investigator Adam Roberson of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorneys Winston D. Holliday, Jr. and Matthew Austin prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today after a three-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Columbia found Joe Roger Moultrie, age 67, of Orangeburg County, guilty of two counts of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.  United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Columbia presided over the trial and will sentence Moultrie after receiving and reviewing a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that on August 20, 2015, an Orangeburg County Narcotics agent followed Moultrie to a local laundromat because he suspected that he was dealing narcotics.  After watching Moultrie for a short time, he observed what he described as a drug deal.  The narcotics agent then turned on his blue lights and attempted to stop Moultrie, who fled in his car while the officer followed him.  After traveling a distance, Moultrie stopped his car and immediately got out of the car with his hands in the air and stated, “I ain’t got nothing!”  The narcotics officer observed both front seat windows were down and detained Moultrie while another officer searched the roadway in the path of the pursuit. He found cocaine and crack cocaine in the roadway a short distance from the laundromat.  Later DNA testing determined that Moultrie’s DNA was on the cocaine.  Moultrie was arrested.

On August 28, 2017, an Orangeburg County Narcotics agent received a telephone call that Moultrie was selling drugs in an area in Orangeburg called “The Hill” while driving a red SUV.  Narcotics agents went to this area and saw Moultrie parked in the roadway while another person was leaning into the car through the passenger window.  The agents went around the block, and when they returned to the area where they saw Moultrie, he had fled.  The officers followed Moultrie’s vehicle and observed him committing multiple traffic offenses.  Initially, Moultrie refused to stop but after a short chase, he stopped his red SUV.  As the officers approached, they observed Moultrie was very nervous and asked if he was having a medical problem.  He said no.  The agents then deployed a K-9 who alerted to the armrest in Moultrie’s car.  During the search of the car, the officers found a prescription pill bottle wrapped in camouflage tape containing 16 baggies of crack cocaine and cocaine in the armrest.  Again, Moultrie’s DNA was found on the pill bottle, crack cocaine, and cocaine.

The maximum penalty for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine is imprisonment for 30 years and/or a fine of $2,000,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.  Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Travis Chatman, II, 25, of Salters, was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on August 30, 2018, a task force officer with ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) and officers from the Myrtle Beach SWAT Team and Myrtle Beach Street Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at a hotel room in Myrtle Beach.  Both Chatman and his girlfriend were present in the room during the execution of the search warrant.  During the search, officers located two firearms.  One was stolen and the other had an obliterated serial number.  Officers also located heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, meth, alprazolam tablets, razor blades, plastic baggies, two scales, $2,650.00 in cash, bond paperwork in Chatman’s name, and multiple cell phones. 

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Chatman to 72 months and one day in federal prison, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by ATF and the Myrtle Beach Police Department Street Crimes Unit and SWAT Team.  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.

#####

WASHINGTON – A South Carolina couple was indicted today on charges stemming from their conspiracy to obtain a U.S. passport by falsely claiming they were the parents of a baby from the Philippines and by using false records to apply for a U.S. passport for the baby, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina.

The indictment alleges that in 2014, Gerald Vincent Locker Jr., 46, a former member of the United States Marine Corps, and Stephanie Jean Locker, 24, both of Huger, South Carolina, were stationed in Japan.  While in Japan, the couple attempted to circumvent legal adoption processes by asserting that a baby from the Philippines was their own natural born child.  Presenting a number of falsified documents to a U.S. Consular Officer, Stephanie Jean Locker applied for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and in support of her application for a passport for the child, falsely attested that while in the Philippines on vacation, she learned she was pregnant five days before the baby was born.

The matter was presented to the Grand Jury on July 10, 2019.  The indictment was returned on July 11, 2019, charging both defendants with one count of conspiracy and Stephanie Jean Locker with one count of making false statements in an application for a passport.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating this case.  Trial Attorneys Danielle Hickman and Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Secor of the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.

# # #

Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Tyler Scher, age 30, of Mount Pleasant, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston after pleading guilty to one count of Distribution of Fentanyl, three counts of Wire Fraud, and three counts of Identity Theft.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston sentenced Scher to 20 years in federal prison, lifetime supervised release, and restitution and forfeiture of $17,599.08.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Evidence presented to the court established that in the summer of 2017, Scher befriended the victim, a young woman in her early 20s who had recently moved to Charleston. On July 11, 12, and 13, 2017, Scher attempted to steal money from the victim’s bank account. The victim noticed the attempts and informed the bank of the fraud. The next month, around midnight on August 10, 2017, Scher drove the victim to his heroin dealer and purchased opioids, which turned out to be fentanyl. In the early hours of August 11, 2017, Scher distributed the fentanyl to the victim, which killed her. Then, in August and September 2017, Scher continued to take money from the deceased victim’s PayPal account. In addition to the fraud on this victim, Scher had defrauded two other individuals.

“The facts of this case are some of the more appalling I can recall, and I am reminded of the importance of our justice system and the role it plays in righting wrongs.  What a horrendous wrong we witnessed here at the hands of Tyler Scher.  Mr. Scher gave this young victim the drugs that killed her, and he exploited her for financial gain both before and after her death,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to bringing to justice those responsible for pedaling deadly drugs into our communities, leaving death and destruction in their wake.  Fentanyl dealers take notice:  We will hold you accountable for these deaths.  As the opioid epidemic claims countless lives across our nation, we will also continue to stand with law enforcement and community leaders to educate the public about the dangers of opioid misuse and to get these deadly drugs off of our streets.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, “Synthetic opioids, namely fentanyl, when used on the streets, can sometimes be deadly (as was the case in this investigation). The life of this young lady in her 20s ended abruptly when Tyler Scher provided her with a fatal dose of fentanyl.  DEA, its many law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s office are firmly committed to arresting criminals like Tyler Scher who play a role in the destruction caused by the vicious cycle of opioid addiction.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

According to the CDC, 70,237 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2017, and opioids were involved in 67% of those deaths. Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin, significantly increasing the risk for overdose, and a person who obtains drugs illegally may not know that a substance contains fentanyl. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance misuse, you can find treatment options in your area at http://www.daodas.sc.gov/treatment/local-providers/.

 

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Gary B. Shaffer, 60, the former Chief of Police in Manning, has pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of federal funds and making a false statement.

Evidence presented to the court established that Shaffer was the Manning Chief of Police until August 2018.  On September 12, 2015, Manning police officers performed a traffic stop in which they seized $80,800 from two individuals.  That money should have been deposited into a City of Manning bank account with the Bank of Clarendon.  On September 19, 2015, Shaffer began making large cash deposits into ATMs.  By November 10, 2015, he had deposited approximately $78,514 into his personal accounts by way of cash ATM deposits.

In May 2016, a state court ordered the Manning Police Department to return a portion of the money to the individuals from whom the money was seized on September 12, 2015.  On May 23, 2016, three official checks were issued from Shaffer’s personal accounts.  The checks were made out to the attorney who represented the individuals to whom the money was supposed to be returned, and their total value was the exact amount that the state court had ordered to be returned.

During an interview in February 2017, Shaffer told an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that the deposits were of money he had been saving for years from various sources. Shaffer admitted in federal court that this statement was false.

Shaffer faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.  United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Shaffer after receiving and reviewing a presentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.

The charges against Shaffer were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Brook Bowers Andrews and William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

#####

A South Carolina couple was indicted today on charges stemming from their conspiracy to obtain a U.S. passport by falsely claiming they were the parents of a baby from the Philippines and by using false records to apply for a U.S. passport for the baby, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina.

The indictment alleges that in 2014, Gerald Vincent Locker Jr., 46, a former member of the United States Marine Corps, and Stephanie Jean Locker, 42, both of Huger, South Carolina, were stationed in Japan.  While in Japan, the couple attempted to circumvent legal adoption processes by asserting that a baby from the Philippines was their own natural born child.  Presenting a number of falsified documents to a U.S. Consular Officer, Stephanie Jean Locker applied for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad and in support of her application for a passport for the child, falsely attested that while in the Philippines on vacation, she learned she was pregnant five days before the baby was born.

The matter was presented to the Grand Jury on July 10, 2019.  The indictment was returned on July 11, 2019, charging both defendants with one count of conspiracy and Stephanie Jean Locker with one count of making false statements in an application for a passport.

The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations.  A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating this case.  Trial Attorneys Danielle Hickman and Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Secor of the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Ezekiel Jahpari Patterson, age 21, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence presented in court established that on January 11, 2018, a deputy with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office stopped the driver of a 1998 Buick near Evans Drive for a traffic violation.  Patterson was seated in the backseat of the car.  As the deputy approached the car, he observed Patterson reaching under the seat and asked Patterson to step out of the car.  The deputy searched Patterson and found two loaded firearms hidden in Patterson’s clothing.  One of the firearms was stolen. 

Federal law prohibits Patterson from possessing any firearm because of his 2017 felony conviction for assault and battery first degree.  Patterson was on probation when he was found with the two firearms.

Senior United States District Judge Cameron M. Currie, of Columbia, accepted Patterson’s guilty plea and sentenced him to 18 months in federal prison followed by two years of court-ordered supervision. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside officers with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in our communities 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. 

#####

Greenville, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Michael Lambert Seabrooke, of Columbia, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint and charged with possessing firearms (destructive devices) which are not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

Seabrooke will have a detention and preliminary hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2019, on the third floor of the Clement F. Haynsworth Federal Courthouse, 300 East Washington Street, Greenville, South Carolina.  United States Magistrate Judge Kevin McDonald will preside.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pickens Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville Office.

U.S. Attorney Lydon stated that all charges in this case are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

#####

 

20190710-3_-_advisory_-_seabrooke_complaint.pdf

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced that joint federal, state, and local investigation has resulted in 10 individuals being charged in two separate cases in federal court for their roles in drug trafficking organizations that operated in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 

“Today, we announce the takedown of 10 bad actors through Operation Low Country Line,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “This represents a line of state, local, and federal authorities working in lockstep with one another to curb the violence.  We have drawn a line as we warn those intent on violating the rights of citizens to be safe in their communities that there will be consequences.  With freedom comes responsibility:  The responsibility to adhere to the rule of law.”

“These indictments and arrests are the results of a committed partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement.  Together, we will remain resolved to investigate and arrest those individuals who pose a direct threat to our communities by trafficking in drugs and violence,” said Jody Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI.

In the first indictment, six defendants have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.  Additionally, three of the defendants have been charged with firearms offenses:

Lamar Louis Johnson, a/k/a “McJag,” age 39, of Mount Pleasant, was attributed 5 kilograms or more of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine;

Theadore Bernard Gadsden, a/k/a “Teddy,” a/k/a “Chest,” age 30, of Mount Pleasant, was attributed a quantity of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking;

Jaton Edwards, a/k/a “Julio,” age 29, of North Charleston, was attributed 500 grams or more of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm;

Jarvis Behrens, age 27, of Mount Pleasant, was attributed 500 grams or more of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine;

Theodore Bernard Gadsden, age 60, of Mount Pleasant, was attributed a quantity of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine; and

Pierce Nelson, age 28, of Mount Pleasant, was attributed a quantity of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In the second indictment, four defendants have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base.  Three have been taken into custody:

Devant Porcher, a/k/a “Dub,” age 34, of North Charleston, was attributed 100 grams or more of heroin, 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and a quantity of cocaine in the conspiracy count and charged with 13 additional counts related to the distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and cocaine base;

Melinda Lee Lynch, age 40, of Moncks Corner, was attributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing methamphetamine and heroin; and

Wandesha Smalls, age 36, of North Charleston, was attributed 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin in the conspiracy count and charged with possessing with intent to distribute and distributing methamphetamine and heroin.

These nine defendants were taken into custody yesterday morning.  During the course of the investigation into these drug trafficking organizations, agents have seized almost two kilograms of cocaine, almost 100 grams of crack cocaine, 480 grams of heroin, 440 grams of methamphetamine, and seven firearms. 

Johnson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a maximum fine of $10,000,000.  Theadore Gadsden, Edwards, Behrens, Porcher, Lynch, and Smalls each face up to 40 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.  Theodore Gadsden, Nelson, and Simmons each face up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Inspection Service, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, City of Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.  It is being 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 Sean Kittrell and Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office are prosecuting the case. 

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

#####

20190710-1_-_indictments_-_operation_low_country_indictment_1.pdf

20190710-1_-_indictments_-_operation_low_country_indictment_2.pdf

 

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that a press conference will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., at the North Charleston Police Department Headquarters/City Hall, 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, South Carolina, 29406.

Represented at the press conference will be the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.

 

WHEN:       Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:     North Charleston Police Department Headquarters/City Hall

                        2500 City Hall Lane

                        North Charleston, SC 29406

 

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 atrium of the City Hall complex at 2:30 p.m., 30 minutes in advance.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney General William P. Barr traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, today for a breakfast with law enforcement officials and a visit to the United States Attorney’s Office.  United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon hosted the breakfast with federal, state, and local law enforcement at the University of South Carolina School of Law.  Officials discussed with Attorney General Barr the importance of the thriving partnerships between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement across the state in tackling violent crime and the opioid epidemic. 

Following the breakfast, Attorney General Barr visited with the staff of the United States Attorney’s Office.  He remarked that the Office’s brand is “excellence,” and that that brand is reflected in the many important cases the Office prosecutes each year.  Attorney General Barr was briefed on some of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s biggest ongoing cases, including Operation Brace Yourself, which originated in South Carolina and is now the largest federal healthcare fraud investigation in the history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The District of South Carolina is the second U.S. Attorney’s Office Attorney General Barr has visited since he was sworn in as the 85th Attorney General on February 14, 2019.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina – United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Angela Breitweiser Keith, age 53, and Ann Davis Eldridge, age 58, both of Sumter, were sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of making false statements to defraud Medicaid. United States Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett of Columbia sentenced Keith to 12 months in federal prison and Eldridge to 6 months. 

Facts presented during the hearing showed that Keith and Eldridge were executives of the South Carolina Early Autism Project (SCEAP). SCEAP provided behavioral health and education solutions for children and young adults, particularly those diagnosed with autism. SCEAP began providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism in 2003, becoming the number one biller in the country for ABA services by 2015. SCEAP overcharged Medicaid and Tricare (military-affiliated insurance) millions of dollars by inflating billing records and charging the government for services it did not provide to clients. SCEAP employees reported to the government that they were pressured to exaggerate the amount of time they spent delivering services to the clients. Company emails indicated that SCEAP encouraged employees to unlawfully bill for time while waiting in driveways, traveling to and from servicing the clients, and even while sitting in restaurants. The employees also indicated that they had required billing goals they had to meet to qualify for job benefits and/or bonuses. These bonuses included gift cards and company-expensed vacations.

Ann Eldridge was a co-founder of SCEAP and Angela Breitweiser Keith worked at the SCEAP since its inception. In December 2012, Eldridge and her partner sold SCEAP to a company called Chancelight for over $18 million. Eldridge and Keith remained with the company, continuing in leadership roles in South Carolina. Chancelight engaged Eldridge to promote the SCEAP system to other Chancelight franchises in the Southeast and promoted Keith to Senior Vice President of Data Reporting and Analysis. In 2018, SCEAP/Chancelight repaid the government nearly $9 million for overbilling Medicaid and Tricare in a civil settlement.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will aggressively protect the integrity of our health care system,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Those found cheating the system face the prospect of both civil fines and federal prison time.”

“Fraudulently diverting funds from vital government healthcare programs comes at a cost—as this sentence illustrates,” said Derrick L. Jackson, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “Every dollar overcharged decreases funds available to provide desperately needed healthcare services to this vulnerable population. We will continue working with state and federal law enforcement partners to bring such criminals to justice.”  

"These sentencings are the product of a thorough investigation and demonstrate the commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) and our law enforcement partners to hold dishonest medical service providers accountable when they submit false bills and divert taxpayer funds," 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 rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse that negatively impacts critical programs such as TRICARE."

The investigation was conducted by members of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office.

#####

Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Christopher Lee Scott, age 37, of Marion County, was sentenced to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to selling a firearm to a known convicted felon.

Evidence presented in court established that on January 8, 2018, a long-time acquaintance of Scott’s, whom Scott knew to be a convicted felon, approached him about purchasing a firearm.  Later that same day, this individual drove to Scott’s residence in Marion County, where Scott showed him a .357 revolver and a 9mm pistol for sale.  Scott then agreed to sell the individual the 9mm pistol for $400.  After completing the transaction, Scott told the individual that he also had other guns to sell, including an assault rifle.

Not only does federal law prohibit selling a firearm to a known convicted felon, but Scott’s own felon status prohibited him from possessing a firearm in the first place.  Prior to selling the firearm in January 2018, Scott had two convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a conviction for distribution of crack cocaine, and two convictions or possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted Scott’s guilty plea and sentenced him to 72 months in federal prison followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.  Scott was immediately taken into custody following his sentencing hearing.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Taylor, Derek Shoemake, and Justin Holloway prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside officers with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Marion County Combined Drug Unit.  It was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in our communities 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. 

#####

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Demetrius Dwayne Swinton, a/k/a “Million Dolla Meat,” age 31, of Ridgeland, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Swinton to 22 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Swinton also agreed to forfeit $500,000, two vehicles, and several pieces of jewelry. 

Evidence presented in the case established that Swinton was the leader of a cocaine trafficking organization that was responsible for bringing a large volume of cocaine into South Carolina, primarily into Beaufort and Jasper Counties.  Agents and prosecutors established that Swinton was receiving multiple kilograms of cocaine at a time from a source of supply in Atlanta, Georgia, and that he used a number of associates to assist in both the distribution of drugs and the collection of drug proceeds.  Swinton was responsible for moving at least 74 kilograms of cocaine into those communities, and he used violence and intimidation to maintain his status as a main drug supplier to that area.  During the course of the investigation, agents seized over 47 kilograms of cocaine, 782 grams of crack cocaine, 6 kilograms of marijuana, 97 grams of heroin, 10 firearms, 5 vehicles, over $50,000 worth of jewelry, and over $68,000 cash.

In addition to Swinton, three of his co-defendants have also been sentenced by Judge Gergel.  Travis Wiggins, a/k/a “Trap”, age 28, of Ridgeland, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

Ernest Fields, a/k/a “Fly”, age 39, of Hilton Head, was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine. 

Boston Brown, age 32, of Bluffton, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.

“It is our hope and belief that the significant sentences handed down to Swinton and his associates send a message to those hoping to fill their void and allow these communities, which have been ravaged by drug trafficking and violence, an opportunity to heal,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “We appreciate the efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in working together to hold these men accountable for such serious crimes.” 

"The 14th Circuit is safer today because Swinton is in prison," added Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone. "It's fortunate that we've had this tremendous partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office in place for a number of years now. It has been invaluable in our efforts to get dangerous people like Swinton off the streets." 

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, "DEA and the entire law enforcement community are committed to making our society safe by removing such criminals from the streets. These notorious drug dealers distributed poison to the community and caused fear through means of violence and intimidation. The success of this investigation was due to the skillful investigative efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts." 

“Identifying and investigating drug trafficking organizations is one of Homeland Security Investigations’ major priorities to protect the public from the serious harm these criminals inflict without any regard for the violence and public health damage they cause,” said John Eisert, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte. “This case also illustrates the importance of collaborative working relationships between HSI and our federal, state and our local law enforcement partners to keep communities safe, and HSI is appreciative of their cooperation as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office in successfully bringing these individuals to justice.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Hampton County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Hardeeville Police Department, City of Charleston Police Department, Summerville Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and South Carolina National Guard.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston Office and Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office are prosecuting the case.

#####

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Sedrick Lemont Jenkins, 42, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to nearly four 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 July 30, 2018, Horry County Police Department officers received a call for service in reference to a suspicious car blocking the roadway on a street in Aynor, South Carolina. Upon arrival, officers located the car in question and conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the driver, Sedrick Jenkins, officers noted an odor of marijuana coming from the car. Officers deployed a K9 unit, which gave a positive alert to the odor of narcotics, and officers searched the car.  During the search, officers found a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun behind a panel in the passenger side floor compartment.  Jenkins is prohibited from possessing a firearm based on his prior federal drug convictions and his prior federal conviction for felon in possession of ammunition. 

Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Jenkins to 46 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 Horry County 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 L. Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Wilbert Green, Jr., age 30, of Columbia, was sentenced to over 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 at approximately 8:45 p.m. on April 13, 2018, officers of the Columbia Police Department and the Midlands Gang Unit were patrolling the Lorick Circle area of Columbia with special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after receiving several firearm-related reports the previous month. As they drove through an apartment complex on Lorick Circle, officers/agents observed what appeared to be a black pistol magazine protruding from Green’s right rear pants pocket. Officers/agents exited their vehicles and made contact with Green, who was also holding an open container of beer, in violation of the open container law. Green failed to comply with directives of officers/agents to quit reaching behind to his back pocket and to turn around put his hands on a nearby car. Green advised officers/agents, “I know the law….I just got out of prison.” Officers secured Green and located a loaded Hi-Point 9mm with an extended high-capacity magazine in Green’s rear right pants pocket. After the arrest, officers/agents learned that there were outstanding warrants for Green from Clarendon County for attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

A ballistics analysis through National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) revealed that the Hi-Point 9mm handgun was linked to shell casings recovered at an unsolved July 2017 shooting off Garners Ferry Road. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles.

Federal law prohibits Green from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions from North and South Carolina. Green’s prior state court convictions include:  assault with a deadly weapon (knife) to inflict serious injury (NC 2009); criminal domestic violence wherein he threatened a female with a firearm and slapped her (SC 2013); and assault and battery 1st degree wherein he shot a man during a robbery (SC 2015).   

Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Green to 51 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the ATF 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 Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Maleik Houseal, age 23, of Newberry, was sentenced to almost 6 ½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Evidence presented to the court showed at approximately 2:12 am on September 16, 2017, a shooting between a group of rival gang members from Newberry occurred outside the Empire Supper Club in the Vista entertainment district of Columbia. It was a college football weekend and the Vista area was full of people. All total, seven individuals, including Houseal, were shot during the incident. The investigation revealed that Houseal had been shot in the hip two weeks earlier and was involved in an ongoing gang dispute in Newberry. The investigation showed that when the club closed at 2:00 am, as people spilled out onto the sidewalks, Houseal went to the parking lot and retrieved a firearm from the top of a car tire, where he had stored it. Houseal, armed with the firearm, returned to the sidewalk area outside of the club, where he encountered the other group of individuals from Newberry, who were headed to their cars in the parking lot. As the other group left the club parking lot, they fired weapons from their cars in Houseal’s direction, striking Houseal and others. Houseal ran after the cars while firing his 9mm handgun in their direction, discharging all 15 rounds. He then discarded the handgun in a pile of chairs outside the club, where it was later recovered.

Federal law prohibits Houseal from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree, carrying a firearm in a public building/adjacent area, carrying an unlawful weapon (two separate convictions), burglary 3rd degree, obstruction of justice, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. At the time of the September 2017 shooting, Houseal was both on state probation and on state bonds for incidents that occurred after his release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in May 2017.   

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Houseal to 77 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision.  There is no parole in the federal system. In denying Houseal’s motion for a reduced sentence based upon his assertion that the other group fired shots first and that he was merely defending himself, Judge Lewis stated, “to pop off 15 rounds in a crowded area is about the most irresponsible and careless and thoughtless thing you could do.” Noting Houseal’s extensive criminal record at the age of 23 and his propensity for firearms, the court stated “you’re exactly the reason we have [firearm] laws like that.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Columbia Police Department, 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 William Bernard Wright, a/k/a “Willie” Wright, a/k/a “Quentin Mitchell,” age 31, of Gaffney, who has been accused of shooting a South Carolina Highway Patrolman on June 2, 2019, was charged in federal court in a one-count indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

“Violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe every single day.  Our commitment to them is that when they are met with violence, we will hold offenders accountable. We are grateful to ATF, SLED, the Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and Solicitor Brackett for their assistance and critical work in this matter.”

The indictment alleges that on June 2, 2019, Wright was in possession of a FN Herstal, model Five-Seven, semi-automatic pistol and various rounds of 5.7 x 28mm ammunition.  At the time of the possession, federal law prohibited Wright from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon at least one prior felony conviction.

According to a Criminal Complaint filed in federal court on June 6, 2019, it is alleged that on June 2, 2019, Trooper Paul A. Wise with the South Carolina Highway Patrol was on routine patrol in York County when he observed Wright operating a vehicle without a seatbelt.  When Trooper Wise attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Wright fled and failed to stop for blue lights.  When Wright reached a dead end, he exited the vehicle, drew a firearm, and discharged at least 12 rounds.  Trooper Wise was struck in his ballistic vest in the chest area and sustained other injuries to the right side of his neck.  Trooper Wise then exited his vehicle and returned fire, striking Wright.  Trooper Wise ordered Wright to the ground and called for backup.

Wright faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the federal indictment.  If the court determines enhanced penalties apply based on the Wright’s prior criminal record, Wright may face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, and 5 years supervised release.  The Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office has also indicted Wright on state charges related to this incident.

The charge against Wright was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels of the Columbia office.

This case is being 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.

U.S. Attorney Lydon stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

#####

ecf_1-_willie_wright_criminal_complaint.pdf

ecf_4-_willie_wright_indictment.pdf

 

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Parkway Discount Pharmacy in Longs, South Carolina, has agreed to pay the United States $50,000 and surrender its DEA registration to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act by failing to abide by recordkeeping requirements and filling prescriptions without confirming required information.  The pharmacy had been notified previously of recordkeeping violations and failed to make the necessary corrections.  DEA registrants have a responsibility to handle controlled substances in a manner that complies with the law. 

“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 DEA Diversion Investigator Dawn Bauer 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, and there has been no determination of liability.

#####

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has presented Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham with an award for his outstanding contributions to the mission of the OIG.  Parham, who has been an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of South Carolina since 1997, has worked hand-in-hand with the DOJ OIG since approximately 2006 on investigations and cases involving the Federal Correctional Institutions in Bennettsville and Williamsburg.  In partnership with the OIG, he has prosecuted correctional officers for a range of offenses, including public corruption and the possession and distribution of narcotics and contraband.

“For 22 years, Brad has fought to ensure the law is enforced fairly, diligently, and justly,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Like the Office of the Inspector General, we are proud of his excellent work rooting out public corruption and holding accountable federal employees in the District of South Carolina.”

#####

WASHINGTON – Today, Portline Bulk International S.A. pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and one count of Obstruction. The charges stem from the falsification of the Oil Record Book onboard the M/V Achilleus, a Maltese-flagged ocean-going bulk carrier ship managed by Defendant Portline.

From April 2017 to August 2018, senior members of the vessel’s engineering team oversaw and participated in the bypass of the ship’s Oil Water Separator utilizing a yellow plastic hose, referred to as a magic pipe. The ship’s Chief Engineer made a series of fake entries and key omissions in the Oil Record Book in order to conceal the illegal overboard discharges of oily bilge water. On Aug. 14, 2018, the false Oil Record Book was presented to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) during an inspection in the Port of Charleston.

According to court documents, Portline has agreed to pay a criminal fine of $1.5 million when the company is sentenced at a future date. The company would also be placed on organizational probation for four years, which includes an environmental compliance plan.

“The world’s oceans are not a dumping ground for criminals who seek to evade our nation’s environmental laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Department’s commitment to protecting coastal communities through rigorous enforcement of the rule of law.

“The South Carolina coast is one of the most beautiful parts of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon for the District of South Carolina.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes environmental crimes seriously, and corporations and individuals who endanger our valuable marine resources and wildlife by violating federal law will be held accountable.  We are grateful to the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Environment and Natural Resources Division for their ongoing partnership in protecting our waterways.”

“Our team of dedicated marine safety and pollution response professionals worked closely with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to investigate this incident and refer it for enforcement action,” said Captain John Reed, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston. “This case highlights the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to the stewardship of the ocean and its critical marine environment.”

On June 17, 2019, the ship’s former Chief Engineer Anatoli Zotsenko and Second Engineer Valerii Pastushenko, who had previously pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, were sentenced to fines totaling $12,500 and three years’ probation. The probation term includes a special condition that bans Zotsenko and Pastushenko from entering ports and anchorages of the United States.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The USCG Marine Safety Lab was critical to the analysis of oil samples taken from the vessel. The case was prosecuted by Christopher L. Hale of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section and AUSA Matt Austin from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

# # #

 

ENRD

19-695

Today, Portline Bulk International S.A. pleaded guilty in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships and one count of Obstruction. The charges stem from the falsification of the Oil Record Book onboard the M/V Achilleus, a Maltese-flagged ocean-going bulk carrier ship managed by Defendant Portline.

From April 2017 to August 2018, senior members of the vessel’s engineering team oversaw and participated in the bypass of the ship’s Oil Water Separator utilizing a yellow plastic hose, referred to as a magic pipe. The ship’s Chief Engineer made a series of fake entries and key omissions in the Oil Record Book in order to conceal the illegal overboard discharges of oily bilge water. On Aug. 14, 2018, the false Oil Record Book was presented to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) during an inspection in the Port of Charleston.

According to court documents, Portline has agreed to pay a criminal fine of $1.5 million when the company is sentenced at a future date. The company would also be placed on organizational probation for four years, which includes an environmental compliance plan.

“The world’s oceans are not a dumping ground for criminals who seek to evade our nation’s environmental laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the Department’s commitment to protecting coastal communities through rigorous enforcement of the rule of law.

“The South Carolina coast is one of the most beautiful parts of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes environmental crimes seriously, and corporations and individuals who endanger our valuable marine resources and wildlife by violating federal law will be held accountable. We are grateful to the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Environment and Natural Resources Division for their ongoing partnership in protecting our waterways.”

“Our team of dedicated marine safety and pollution response professionals worked closely with the Coast Guard Investigative Service to investigate this incident and refer it for enforcement action,” said Captain John Reed, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston. “This case highlights the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to the stewardship of the ocean and its critical marine environment.”

On June 17, 2019, the ship’s former Chief Engineer Anatoli Zotsenko and Second Engineer Valerii Pastushenko, who had previously pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, were sentenced to fines totaling $12,500 and three years’ probation. The probation term includes a special condition that bans Zotsenko and Pastushenko from entering ports and anchorages of the United States.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston and the Coast Guard Investigative Service. The USCG Marine Safety Lab was critical to the analysis of oil samples taken from the vessel. The case was prosecuted by Christopher L. Hale of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Crimes Section and AUSA Matt Austin from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Rashaun Allen Judge, 33, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 13, 2016, North Charleston Police Department officers approached Judge while he was seated in his vehicle.  The defendant provided officers his driver’s license and admitted to possessing marijuana in his pocket.  Shortly thereafter, he fled the scene on foot.  Officers searched his vehicle and located 5.55 grams of cocaine, 2.97 grams of crack cocaine, and a loaded Charter Arms .38 Special handgun in the panel of the driver’s side door.   

This is Judge’s third firearm conviction.  Judge was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in 2010 and was sentenced to three years in federal prison.  While on bond for a separate state firearms charge, Judge was arrested on the underlying gun charge, which was later adopted by federal authorities.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston sentenced Judge to 120 months in federal prison.  There is no parole in the federal system. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the North Charleston 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 Emily Limehouse of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that a federal jury convicted Gregory Bernard Gibson, 44, of Florence, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.  The 12-person jury unanimously found Gibson guilty on two of the three counts charged after a 1.5-day trial and a short deliberation. 

The evidence presented at trial showed that a deputy from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling in Florence when Gibson pulled out in front of him, failing to yield the right-of-way.  The deputy initiated a stop on Gibson’s car.  Gibson continued to drive for a short distance, making two turns before he stopped.  As Gibson continued to drive, the deputy could see Gibson making furtive movements as if he were hiding something.  After Gibson stopped, the deputy cautiously approached Gibson’s driver side window and proceeded with the traffic stop.  While standing next to Gibson’s driver side window, the deputy smelled marijuana.  Another deputy arrived on scene, and they searched the car and found a loaded firearm in the center console.  Directly behind the center console, they found a backpack containing cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, a cutting agent, multiple plastic baggies, and a digital scale with white and green residue.  Inside a void underneath the cup holder area, they found a large piece of crack cocaine and 300 tablets of methamphetamine.  Federal law prohibits Gibson from possessing a firearm based on a prior federal conviction. 

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis of Columbia presided over the trial and will sentence Gibson after receiving and reviewing a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office.  Gibson faces 15 years to life in federal prison. 

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Proactive Community Enforcement (P.A.C.E.) Team.  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 Lauren Hummel and Everett McMillian of the Florence office prosecuted the case. 

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Kristie Scott Wise, a/k/a “Kristie Wise Scott,” Brian William Rose, Casey Kohler, Ricardo Dunbar, James Clinton Gunter, Jr., Joseph Price Langford, Scott Dylan Green, and Kerrie Edgerley, all of Aiken County, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentence after she has received and reviewed presentence reports that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.

Evidence presented to the court established that the Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation into the narcotics distribution activities of co-defendants Kenneth Evans and Eddie Brockington.  Evans is an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections and Brockington is an inmate in the Georgia Department of Corrections.  Through controlled purchases and other investigative techniques, agents learned that members of the conspiracy purchased and distributed large amounts of methamphetamine and/or heroin for Evans and Brockington. Some of the individuals charged were responsible for transporting multi-kilogram amounts of methamphetamine and heroin into South Carolina and then distributing the drugs throughout the state. 

The maximum penalty for these offenses is imprisonment for life and/or a fine of $20,000,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.  Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

#####

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Justice Department today announced that it supported a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event in Lyman, South Carolina on June 13, 2019.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Stephens and Rob Sneed gave a presentation to seniors from the upstate using “Fraud Bingo” as a platform to provide tips on avoiding scams.

 

The June 13, 2019, “Lifting Up Voices” was hosted by the Appalachian Council of Governments (AGOG) and South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA). The Appalachian Council of Governments serves as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the six-county South Carolina upstate region (Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties).  The AAA provides information and assistance to older adults, persons with disabilities and caregivers. It also operates the Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Regional Family Caregivers Program, the I-CARE program, and Appalachian Assisted Rides program. The SCDOA works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage services that help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities.

 

The event was a local effort to raise awareness about elder abuse and neglect in South Carolina communities.  Several vendors, local businesses, and organizations contributed to the highly successful event, which included approximately 200 senior citizens.  In addition to the ACOG speakers, a member of the City of Spartanburg Police Department presented on “Elder Abuse Recognition and Safety,” which included discussion on personal safety, trust, and situational awareness to avoid victimization.

 

AUSAs Stephens and Sneed delivered practical tips for seniors to take to prevent getting financially exploited and scammed.  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 the square, participants read aloud the accompanying message found on their bingo card if they have a match. Each square has a message about fraud, ID theft, and scams. When there is a winner the shouts of “Fraud Bingo” ring out.

 

“The United States Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice (DOJ) are committed to combatting elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target our nation’s seniors,” said United States Attorney Sherri Lydon.   She added that elder fraud schemes take a variety of forms that range from small-scale identity thefts involving impersonation of a senior to mass mailing fraud schemes that steal from thousands of elderly annually.  “Our mission is to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation, encourage reporting abuse, and educate the public to make America safer for all,” added Lydon.

 

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

Appalachian Council of Governments

# # # # #

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Quavis Jamar Rudisell, age 30, of Lancaster, was sentenced to a total of 41 months imprisonment today in federal court after earlier pleading to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Evidence presented in court established that on the early morning hours of September 6, 2018, deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residence on Providence Road after receiving a 911 call in regard to a theft of money. The residence advised that Rudisell had been a guest in the home, stolen approximately $1,300, and fled on a silver moped. Officers with the Lancaster Police Department located Rudisell on the moped and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Rudisell jumped off the moped and fled into nearby woods where he was later captured. Officers located the stolen money on Rudisell, along with a magazine loaded with rounds of 9mm ammunition. Rudisell admitted to throwing the firearm down. Officers did a search of the area and recovered a 9mm handgun with a large capacity magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition.

Rudisell is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon a prior state conviction for breach of trust with fraudulent intent more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 (2016) and a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine (2011). Rudisell had been released from federal prison and was on federal supervised release at the time of the instant offense.

Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Rudisell to a total of 41 months imprisonment. That sentence was comprised of 37 months imprisonment on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge and a consecutive 4 months imprisonment for violating the earlier term of federal supervised release. Following the term of imprisonment, Rudisell will be on supervision for 3 years.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lancaster Police Department. This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. 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 handled the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina has wrapped up its 28th Annual Safe Schools Seminars Series.  The Safe Schools Seminars bring together law enforcement and school personnel charged with protecting children—such as superintendents, administrators, counselors, school resource officers, nurses, and social workers—to discuss some of the safety issues today’s students face. 

Topic sessions during the Safe Schools Seminars include De-Escalation in the Education Environment; Behavior Threat Assessment; and Vaping: How It’s Affecting Our Youth.

The Safe Schools Seminars are hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Association, the South Carolina Department of Education, the Francis Marion University Police Department, the West Columbia Police Department, the Lexington Police Department, the Greer Police Department, and the North Charleston Police Department.

The seminars took place in Greer, West Columbia, Florence, Lexington and concluded today in North Charleston, South Carolina. 

#####

 

 

Zakaryia Abdin, 20, of Ladson, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.  Abdin previously entered a guilty plea in August of 2018 and has remained in federal custody since his arrest by the FBI in March of 2017.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon for the District of South Carolina and Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris of the FBI’s Columbia Division made the announcement.  Abdin appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel.

“The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable U.S. citizens, like Abdin, and others who would leave here to provide material support to ISIS overseas,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Thanks to the great work of the agents and prosecutors on this case, his plans were thwarted and with this sentence he is now being held accountable for his crime.  The National Security Division is committed to identifying and bringing to justice those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.”

“The most important job of government is protecting the people of the United States from harm, whether it comes from criminals or terrorists,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “This case is an example of law enforcement doing exactly that, and preventing what could have been a much greater tragedy.  I am proud of the great work JTTF did in preventing this defendant from joining ISIS and fighting on their behalf, whether that would have been domestically or internationally.  His goal was to kill on behalf of ISIS, whether that was in the United States or abroad.  His goal was to be an ISIS soldier, and to kill Americans wherever ISIS directed him.”  U.S. Attorney Lydon commended the intense work of Charleston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and noted that this is the first conviction for a person attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization in the District of South Carolina.

“Once again, the Joint Terrorism Task Force has uncovered, investigated and prevented terrorist activity with roots in South Carolina” said Special Agent in Charge Norris.  “These results are made possible by the coordinated efforts of our federal, state and local partners, who are committed to sharing information and resources to protect our communities.”

The FBI arrested the defendant at the Charleston International Airport on March 30, 2017, when he attempted to board an airplane in order to travel overseas to join ISIS. 

According to court documents, Abdin, a U.S. citizen, began his efforts on Jan. 3, 2017, when he created a social media account to be used to join ISIS.   On Jan. 20, 2017, Abdin visited the FBI in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, to meet with an FBI Special Agent from the Joint Terrorism Task Force.  During this visit, the agent advised Abdin about the FBI’s role in conducting counterterrorism investigations, discussed various statutory definitions (including terrorism), and told Abdin that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization and that it was illegal to give any foreign terrorist organization any form of material support, including personnel.

After that date, Abdin began to seek a handler to get him overseas to Syria or Egypt to make contact with ISIS.  Unbeknownst to him, he ended up making contact with an undercover FBI employee.  Abdin believed this person was affiliated with ISIS.  These communications continued up until he was arrested.

Abdin had extensive communications with the undercover FBI employee.  During the course of these on line conversations, Abdin expressed continued loyalty to ISIS.  He said he had given a pledge of loyalty to ISIS in 2014 and provided a video of a new pledge to Abu Baker al Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed leader of ISIS, in which Abdin pledged to “wage jihad against the enemy of Allah.”

Abdin also indicated that he wished to join ISIS and its so-called caliphate and requested to serve in combat.  He stated that he was proficient with various weapons, including pistols and AK and SKS rifles.  He also asserted that he was well prepared, knew how to shoot, and had experience with and was reliable in close combat.  He also purchased weapons, including an SKS assault rifle, modifying it to expand its capacity from a 10 round magazine to a 30 round magazine.  Abdin practiced with an AK assault rifle at a local gun store, and with an SKS assault rifle and a 9mm handgun at a local outdoor shooting range outside of Charleston.

Abdin took a picture of himself carrying the 9mm in his waistband and took a picture of himself practicing shooting at night at the local outdoor range, and sent these to the undercover FBI employee.

Abdin undertook concrete steps to join ISIS and travel overseas to fight jihad.  He applied for a passport.  On March 22, 2017, the FBI was notified Abdin’s passport was delivered to his residence in Ladson.  Later on the same date, Abdin sent a message to the undercover FBI employee to tell him to “let the brothers know I am coming very soon.”

On March 23, 2017, Abdin made flight reservations aboard a commercial airline departing Charleston with a final destination of Amman, Jordan.  The date for travel was set for March 30, 2017.  After making the reservations, Abdin told to undercover FBI employee that he was scheduled to arrive in Amman, Jordan on April 1, 2017.

On March 30, 2017, Abdin arrived at the Charleston International Airport, checked in for his departing flight, and was subsequently arrested.

Abdin faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  Any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Williams and Sean Kittrell of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

WASHINGTON – Zakaryia Abdin, 20, of Ladson, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Abdin previously entered a guilty plea in August of 2018 and has remained in federal custody since his arrest by the FBI in March of 2017.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon for the District of South Carolina and Special Agent in Charge Jody Norris of the FBI’s Columbia Division made the announcement.  Abdin appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel.

“The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable U.S. citizens, like Abdin, and others who would leave here to provide material support to ISIS overseas,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “Thanks to the great work of the agents and prosecutors on this case, his plans were thwarted and with this sentence he is now being held accountable for his crime.  The National Security Division is committed to identifying and bringing to justice those who would provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.”

“The most important job of government is protecting the people of the United States from harm, whether it comes from criminals or terrorists,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “This case is an example of law enforcement doing exactly that, and preventing what could have been a much greater tragedy.  I am proud of the great work JTTF did in preventing this defendant from joining ISIS and fighting on their behalf, whether that would have been domestically or internationally.  His goal was to kill on behalf of ISIS, whether that was in the United States or abroad.  His goal was to be an ISIS soldier, and to kill Americans wherever ISIS directed him.”  U.S. Attorney Lydon commended the intense work of Charleston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and noted that this is the first conviction for a person attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization in the District of South Carolina.

“Once again, the Joint Terrorism Task Force has uncovered, investigated and prevented terrorist activity with roots in South Carolina” said Special Agent in Charge Norris.  “These results are made possible by the coordinated efforts of our federal, state and local partners, who are committed to sharing information and resources to protect our communities.”

The FBI arrested the defendant at the Charleston International Airport on March 30, 2017, when he attempted to board an airplane in order to travel overseas to join ISIS. 

According to court documents, Abdin, a U.S. citizen, began his efforts on Jan. 3, 2017, when he created a social media account to be used to join ISIS.   On Jan. 20, 2017, Abdin visited the FBI in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina to meet with an FBI Special Agent from the Joint Terrorism Task Force.  During this visit, the agent advised Abdin about the FBI’s role in conducting counterterrorism investigations, discussed various statutory definitions (including terrorism), and told Abdin that ISIS was a designated foreign terrorist organization and that it was illegal to give any foreign terrorist organization any form of material support, including personnel.

After that date, Abdin began to seek a handler to get him overseas to Syria or Egypt to make contact with ISIS.  Unbeknownst to him, he ended up making contact with an undercover FBI employee.  Abdin believed this person was affiliated with ISIS.  These communications continued up until he was arrested.

Abdin had extensive communications with the undercover FBI employee.  During the course of these on line conversations, Abdin expressed continued loyalty to ISIS.  He said he had given a pledge of loyalty to ISIS in 2014 and provided a video of a new pledge to Abu Baker al Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed leader of ISIS, in which Abdin pledged to “wage jihad against the enemy of Allah.”

Abdin also indicated that he wished to join ISIS and its so-called caliphate and requested to serve in combat.  He stated that he was proficient with various weapons, including pistols and AK and SKS rifles.  He also asserted that he was well prepared, knew how to shoot, and had experience with and was reliable in close combat.  He also purchased weapons, including an SKS assault rifle, modifying it to expand its capacity from a 10 round magazine to a 30 round magazine.  Abdin practiced with an AK assault rifle at a local gun store, and with an SKS assault rifle and a 9mm handgun at a local outdoor shooting range outside of Charleston.

Abdin took a picture of himself carrying the 9mm in his waistband and took a picture of himself practicing shooting at night at the local outdoor range, and sent these to the undercover FBI employee.

Abdin undertook concrete steps to join ISIS and travel overseas to fight jihad.  He applied for a passport.  On March 22, 2017, the FBI was notified Abdin’s passport was delivered to his residence in Ladson.  Later on the same date, Abdin sent a message to the undercover FBI employee to tell him to “let the brothers know I am coming very soon.”

On March 23, 2017, Abdin made flight reservations aboard a commercial airline departing Charleston with a final destination of Amman, Jordan.  The date for travel was set for March 30, 2017.  After making the reservations, Abdin told to undercover FBI employee that he was scheduled to arrive in Amman, Jordan on April 1, 2017.

On March 30, 2017, Abdin arrived at the Charleston International Airport, checked in for his departing flight, and was subsequently arrested.

Abdin faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.  Any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Williams and Sean Kittrell of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

# # # # #

19-639

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Richard Moore of Aiken, South Carolina, the owner of Carolina Sodding Services, LLC, and Carolina Enterprises of the Lowcountry, LLC, has agreed to pay $1.6 million to resolve allegations that he and his companies violated the False Claims Act by submitting false invoices for materials that were never provided and false certifications that his companies were women-owned businesses.  Mr. Moore and his companies were contracted to perform work at the Savannah River Nuclear Site in Aiken.

“Those who seek to do business with the federal government must do so fairly and honestly,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon.  “Through False Claims Act cases like this one, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina will continue to hold accountable those who knowingly seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”

Teri L. Donaldson, Department of Energy Inspector General said, “The Office of Inspector General is committed to ensuring the integrity of Department contracts by detecting and holding accountable those who choose to engage in false claim schemes. This settlement is a result of our staff’s dedicated work to ensure public funds are used for the mission-related purposes for which they are intended.  We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice in pursuing this matter and will continue to work collaboratively with them to aggressively investigate those who seek to defraud Department programs.”   

The False Claims Act is the United States’ primary civil remedy to redress false claims for government funds and property under government programs and contracts relating to such varied areas as health care, defense and national security, food safety and inspection, federally insured loans and mortgages, highway funds, small business contracts, agricultural subsidies,  and disaster assistance.

Deputy Civil Chief James Leventis of the Columbia office handled the case.  The case was investigated by the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General.

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

# # # # #

WASHINGTON –  As the 2019 hurricane season begins, the Department of Justice reminds the public to be on the lookout for fraud against natural disaster victims, and report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF). The Atlantic Hurricane Season opened June 1 and runs through November 30. 

“Committing fraud against natural disaster victims is an inexcusable crime,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen.  “It is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes and solicitations for fake charities.  The Department of Justice is committed to detecting this type of fraud, and we will aggressively prosecute the offenders. Through our National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to keep Americans from becoming victims of these schemes.”

The Department of Justice established the NCDF in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times.  The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud.  More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward on complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.

Numerous U.S. Attorneys’ offices in districts impacted by recent hurricanes have established task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat disaster fraud.

"The Department of Justice and the NCDF is committed to ensuring each report of disaster fraud reaches the appropriate investigative agency. Do not let disaster strike twice. Report suspected disaster fraud to the NCDF, which has an excellent staff of investigators, analysts, call center operators, and managers who are well prepared to handle the anticipated volume of complaints during hurricane season,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin for the Middle District of Louisiana, who is also the NCDF’s Executive Director.

Eighteen major disaster declarations have already been declared in 2019 for events including recent storms, tornadoes, and flooding across the Midwest; Typhoon Wutip in Guam; and severe winter storms and mudslides in Oregon, California. Unfortunately, and inevitably, natural and man-made disasters will continue to occur across our great nation. These terrible and often tragic events leave many people without food, water, or shelter, and often cause devastating damage to life and property. Nevertheless, there are criminals ready to take advantage of victims before, during, and especially after a natural disaster. They are looking to strike those at their most vulnerable time.

While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:

• Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials;
• Identity theft;
• Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government;
• Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving;
• Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns via profits from recovery and cleanup efforts;
• Price gouging;
• Contractor Fraud;
• Debris removal fraud;
• Theft, looting, and other violent crime

Members of the public are reminded to be extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster. They are also reminded to report suspected waste, fraud, abuse, or allegations of criminal conduct. If members of the public believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, they are strongly encouraged to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free by phone at (866) 720-5721, email at disaster@leo.gov, or fax at (225) 334-4707.   The telephone line is staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

To learn more about the NCDF please visit the website at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud and watch a public service announcement. 

# # #

The vice president of sales for an American furniture manufacturer pleaded guilty today for obtaining his competitors’ confidential bid proposals in an effort to win a State Department contract to provide furniture to a U.S. embassy abroad.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon of the District of South Carolina and Department of State Inspector General Steve A. Linick made the announcement.

Steven Anstine, 52, of Overland Park, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of illegally obtaining contractor bid and proposal information before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel of the District of South Carolina.  Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.   

According to admissions made in connection with Anstine’s plea, in or around December 2016, the State Department was constructing a new embassy in a foreign nation.  Two State Department employees participated in the process of soliciting bid proposals from contractors for the procurement of furniture for the new embassy’s offices. 

From in or around December 2016 to in or around March 2017, Anstine knowingly obtained bid prices and design plans of at least three of his and his company’s competitors from the two State Department employees.  Anstine knowingly obtained this information in order to achieve a competitive advantage for himself and his company.  The information Anstine obtained enabled him and his company to win the contract to provide the furniture for the new embassy with a bid of approximately $1,569,000.

According to Anstine’s admissions, Anstine made intentionally false statements to agents investigating his conduct.  He falsely told State Department Office of Inspector General special agents that he did not knowingly receive competitor bid and proposal information from the two State Department employees.  He also falsely told agents that, whenever he accompanied one of the State Department employees to events, restaurants or bars, the employee paid her share of the expenses.  In fact, Anstine paid for at least a portion of the State Department employee’s expenses when they attended dinners, sporting events and concerts, including, but not limited to, a September 2016 concert in Washington, D.C.; a December 2015 ballet performance in Washington, D.C.; and a summer 2015 golf tournament in Gainsville, Virginia.

The State Department’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the case.  Deputy Chief Robert J. Heberle and Trial Attorney John P. Taddei of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marshall “Matt” Austin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case. 

The Department of Justice today announced that it reached a settlement agreement with York County, South Carolina, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The agreement resolves the Department’s lawsuit alleging that the county discriminated against an applicant on the basis of his disability, dwarfism, when he sought to apply for a Purchasing Manager position. The complaint alleges that York County required applicants for the Purchasing Manager position to possess a driver’s license even though having a driver’s license is not essential to performing the job functions of the position. By requiring a driver’s license, the county unfairly screened out the applicant, who because of his disability does not possess a driver’s license, but who was otherwise qualified for the position.  Additionally, the complaint alleges that York County failed to provide the applicant with a reasonable accommodation, such as waiving the driver’s license requirement, that would have allowed him to participate in the application process.          

The settlement agreement requires York County to revise its policies to ensure compliance with the ADA, designate an ADA Coordinator, ensure that its job listings list only essential job functions as mandatory requirements, train relevant employees on the ADA, and report to the Department of Justice on implementation of the agreement. York County will also pay the applicant $20,000 in compensatory damages. This matter was based on a referral from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Charlotte District Office, which conducted a thorough investigation of the facts.

“Unnecessary barriers in the hiring process can lead to discrimination against individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to fighting for equal opportunity in job competition and applauds York County for agreeing to eliminate extraneous job requirements that may limit their pool of potential employees.” 

“People with disabilities deserve the opportunity to compete for jobs on a level playing field,” said U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon. “This settlement agreement ensures that people with disabilities will have an equal chance to compete for public sector jobs. We commend York County for its cooperation and efforts to ensure accessibility and fairness in the job application process.”  

For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section, please call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.

The settlement agreement can be found here. 

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced that Mark Spicer, a/k/a Chief, age 24, of Iowa, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of interstate transportation of an individual under the age of eighteen for purposes of prostitution.  Spicer faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment up to life.  There is no parole in the federal system.  A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date.

Evidence presented to the court established that in or around August 2018, Spicer and a co-defendant transported the minor victim to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the intent that the minor would engage in prostitution after leaving Iowa and having traveled to Illinois, Tennessee, and Georgia.  Spicer and a co-defendant placed advertisements for commercial sex featuring the minor victim on websites during this time period.      

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Myrtle Beach Police Department.   Assistant United States Attorneys Carrie Fisher Sherard and Lauren Hummel and Special Assistant United States Attorney Scott Hixson prosecuted the case.

#####