District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Swan Nicoyis Jackson, age 22, of Camden, plead guilty yesterday in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e) and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 851. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established that on morning of June 2, 2017, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department deputies encountered Jackson and another male walking down railroad tracks near a neighborhood that had recent thefts. When deputies asked Jackson and the other male to stop, they both ran. Deputies could smell marijuana emanating from their direction. During the chase, Jackson fell and deputies were able to catch up to him and found a 9mm handgun in his pants pocket, along with marijuana. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen from a residence.   

Jackson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of crack cocaine (2 counts), distribution of crack cocaine near a school, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, and possession of crack cocaine 3rd offense or more.    

On the firearm charge, Jackson faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. However, if he is deemed an armed career criminal in light of his extensive prior convictions for serious drug offenses, he would face a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, and 5 years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Jackson faces a maximum of 10 years, a fine of $4,000,000 and 4 years of supervised release on the marijuana charge.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the United States Attorney’s Office demonstrated its commitment to support our nation’s men and women in uniform, including the protections for service members with disabilities under the Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act or the USERRA.

USERRA is a 1994 Federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers.  Its origins date back to earlier statutes first enacted in 1940 shortly before the United States entered World War II, when so many Americans were ‘called to the colors’ in defense of our country.  USERRA is intended to encourage non-career uniformed service so the United States can enjoy the protection of those Services, staffed by qualified people, while maintaining a balance with the needs of private and public employers who also depend on these same individuals.

On January 24, 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in training in Greenville, South Carolina, for Human Resource (HR) professionals on a wide variety of Federal Disability Employment laws.  The event was sponsored by Touch the Future, Greenville CAN, Greenville Technical College, and Greenville chapter of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  This highly successful, well-attended program was held at the Center for Manufacturing Innovation in Greenville. 

AUSA Rob Sneed provided training on the USERRA, focusing on the rights of returning service members with disabilities.  There were several other presenters, including from the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC), Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). 

The lead organizer for the event was Ms. Sandy Hanebrink, Executive Director of Touch the Future, which is a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities, as well as those in the public and private sector.  AUSA Rob Sneed worked with Ms. Hanebrink in organizing the event and recruiting speakers from the above-mentioned agencies that work in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in civil rights matters. 

U.S. Attorney Drake stated that, “Over twenty years ago, in 1994 Congress passed, and the President signed the USERRA, following Desert Storm.”  She added that USERRA strengthened and clarified protections for service members from prior federal statutes regarding military leave.  According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, “Preventative law training events such as this are a win-win situation for both employers and service members in South Carolina.  Employers benefit by becoming more knowledgeable about the law.  Service members benefit when their companies avoid missteps.”  The U.S. Attorney’s Office participation in this event demonstrates the continued commitment from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to the Service Member and Veterans Initiative and civil rights program under federal disability laws.

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Jonathan Pinson, age 47, of Greenville, South Carolina, was resentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Counts 12, 18), Mail Fraud (Counts 25, 26), Wire Fraud (Counts 27-34), Money Laundering (Counts 35-41) and False Statements (Counts 43-46 and 48-50).  United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Mr. Pinson to 48 months concurrent on each count of conviction, to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Judge Norton imposed restitution in the amount of $337,843.05.

In June 2014, a jury convicted Mr. Pinson for his involvement in four different schemes.  One scheme revolved around the 2011 homecoming concert at SCSU and Mr. Pinson’s efforts to steer the concert promotion contract to his close friend and former SCSU roommate in exchange for a kickback. 

Other schemes included Mr. Pinson’s theft of government funds earmarked for the installation of a diaper plant in Marion County.  Evidence showed that proceeds from the grant, intended to create jobs in rural Marion County, were instead pocketed by Mr. Pinson and his associates, Lance Wright, Tony Williams, and Phil Mims, each of whom pled guilty to charges related to the fraud. 

Mr. Pinson was also convicted of theft of government funds received from a 10 million dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant (commonly known as stimulus money) intended for the development known as the Village at Rivers Edge (VRE).

In the final scheme Mr. Pinson again used his position as Chairman of the Board of SCSU to influence officials at SCSU to purchase land known as “Sportsman’s Retreat”.  The seller of the property, Richard Zahn, Pinson’s business partner, testified that he agreed to pay a kickback to Mr. Pinson in the form of a new Porsche Cayenne, an SUV valued at approximately 90 thousand dollars.   

During the two and one-half week trial, the Government called twenty witnesses, introduced approximately 200 exhibits and played 118 secretly recorded telephone calls.  The calls, authorized by a court ordered wiretap, covered from July 21 to November 20, 2011.

Mr. Pinson was originally sentenced on May 20, 2015.  He appealed and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated his conviction on three of the counts of conviction, necessitating a resentencing hearing. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI).  Assistant United States Attorneys Dewayne Pearson, J.D. Rowell, Jane Taylor, and Nancy Wicker of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against the following:

Murrells Inlet Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation.   Jesus Patino-Lopez, age 31, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Patino-Lopez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment. 
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.

Two South Carolina Men Indicted in Connection with Conspiracy to Import Cocaine.   Kemo Jason Smith, age 39, of Camden, South Carolina, and Deandre Adarias Jenkins, age 27, of Conway, South Carolina, were both charged in a multi-count indictment with Conspiracy to Import Cocaine and Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 963.  Jenkins was additionally charged with Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession With Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Unlawful Use of U.S. Mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 843(b).  The maximum penalty they could receive for the conspiracy charges is a fine of $5,000,000.00 and/or 40 years imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance by the Horry County Police Department.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian of the Florence office for prosecution. 

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

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Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Antonio Crawley, age 39, will be sentenced on Monday, January 29th, at 9:30 A.M.  The sentencing hearing will take place in the G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Federal Courthouse, 315 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, South Carolina, before the Honorable Timothy M. Cain, U.S. District Judge.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Franklin County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, and the Douglas County (GA) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. 

This case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Criminal Chief for the Narcotics Unit. 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Yvonne Sanchez, age 40, of Chapin, was sentenced to fifteen months in jail for committing Bank Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1344.  Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, also ordered her to pay restitution of $121,461.76 to the victim. 

From July 2014 through June 2016, Sanchez was the bookkeeper for EveryWord, Inc., a court reporting business in the Columbia area.  Sanchez opened fake accounts in the name of EveryWord at All South Federal Credit Union.  As part of her duties, Sanchez was supposed to be depositing checks made payable to EveryWord into the legitimate business account at First Community.  Instead, she diverted the checks into her own accounts for her personal use.  Overall, Sanchez defrauded EveryWord of $121,461.76.

The United States Department of Homeland Security investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that E'Shellah Calhoun, age 52, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to conspiracy, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendant and others agreed to defraud people across the country. The victims were contacted by members of the conspiracy who purported to be officials with the Internal Revenue Service – it appears from the investigation that these co-conspirators were operating out of India. The co-conspirators would threaten criminal prosecution if the victim did not pay a certain amount of money. The victims would be instructed to wire certain sums of money to a bank account in order to satisfy the debt. The investigation found that money was being sent to a South Carolina account operated by the defendant. Bank documents and bank surveillance, show that the defendant and associates would go to various banks and ATMs the day that money was deposited by the victims. The three would withdraw the full amount. The total amount that they received is approximately 50k. Additionally, the co-conspirators other times would demand gift cards; there is surveillance of the defendant redeeming thousands of dollars in gift cards within an hour of the victims transferring the funds.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for conspiracy is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury.  Assistant United States Attorney Jim May of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jerry Oliver, age 52, of Lexington County, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Murder for Hire, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958.  United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendant was a member of the Hells Angels and it was through this membership that the defendant met a person who was a FBI informant. The informant was working as a driver at the defendant’s place of work. The informant was charged with DUI and worried that he would lose his job as a driver, so the informant approached Oliver for help. Oliver recommended an attorney who Oliver knew and Oliver offered to cover the cost of the attorney if the informant would kill Oliver’s ex-wife. Oliver was involved in a contested family court proceeding where a hearing was scheduled regarding Oliver’s failure to comply with the divorce decree with his ex-wife. Oliver stated that the murder needed to occur before Oliver’s next family court appearance. The informant contacted the FBI who provided recording materials to the informant to record the interactions with Oliver. Numerous recordings of in-person and over the phone discussions of killing the ex-wife were captured. The informant told Oliver numerous times that he was a felon and the two discussed how to make the killing look like a robbery gone bad.

On September 29, the informant again told Oliver that he was a felon and needed help getting a firearm to do the murder. Oliver stated he would put a Glock in a truck on Oliver's property. The informant contacted Oliver who confirmed the weapon was in place for the informant to retrieve. The informant recorded his retrieval of a loaded Glock. The informant and Oliver discussed locating pictures of the ex-wife on Facebook, a recording of Oliver accessing the ex-wife's Facebook was captured – when Oliver told the informant to monitor the ex-wife’s location using Facebook.

Mrs. Drake stated the maximum penalty for Murder for Hire is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000, the defendant agreed to a negotiated maximum 10-year sentence.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jackie Tyrell Kennedy, age 24, of Florence, plead guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established on October 13, 2017, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with officers and deputies from the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department executed a sting operation as part of “Operation Cross County,” targeting human sex trafficking. While investigating sex trafficking at a Columbia motel, agents encountered Kennedy, who fled on foot and dropped a Cobra .380 caliber handgun along the way. Agents were able to locate the firearm and also additional ammunition, which belonged to Kennedy.  

Kennedy is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his August 2017 Virginia conviction for possession of ecstasy.    

Kennedy faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Shareef Williams and Dylon David Alextro Downer were sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for conspiring to distribute and distributing marijuana. Williams was also sentenced for money laundering.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Williams to 70 months imprisonment, three years supervised release, and ordered Williams to forfeit a house he had purchased in Columbia, S.C. Downer was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Williams purchased marijuana from Downer from January 2013 to July 2015. Downer lived in California and sent the marijuana through the mail to various locations in Florence for Williams. Williams used the profits he made from selling the marijuana to purchase money orders from the United States Postal Service then sent the money orders to Downer and others in California to purchase more marijuana. Williams purchased approximately 253 money orders valued at $248,900 and Downer sent approximately 235 pounds of marijuana to Williams.

The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department and the United States Postal Service.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Shanteley Latrice Howard, age 33, and Kermit Lee Smith, age 29, both of Florence, S.C., pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.  Howard pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit money, and Smith pled guilty to conspiracy to pass counterfeit money, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the pleas and will impose sentences after he has reviewed the presentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Howard and Smith were involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit $100 and $50 bills in multiple states including South Carolina and North Carolina.  This conspiracy, which began in 2015, included at least nine co-defendants who were responsible for making and passing over $100,000 in counterfeit money.  During the search of a residence in Florence, agents seized an Epson Workforce printer and a genuine $100 “parent note”, both of which belonged to Howard and were used to print counterfeit $100 bills.  In fact, over one thousand counterfeit $100 bills bearing the same serial number as this “parent note” were passed during the course of the conspiracy.  Howard also passed counterfeit $100 and $50 bills on multiple occasions at businesses in Florence and other locations in South Carolina.  Smith, Howard and another co-defendant traveled together to the Upstate area of South Carolina where, on October 23, 2016, they each passed counterfeit $100 bills at a grocery store in Easley.    

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Howard and Smith can receive is imprisonment for 5 years and a fine of $250,000.00. 

The case was investigated by agents of United States Secret Service with the assistance of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Miguel Pedroza-Naquid, age 29, from Horry County, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, to Illegal Re-Entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2).  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 20, 2017, ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations Officers in Charleston, SC, discovered Miguel Pedroza-Naquid, while he was in custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on state charges. Records checks revealed that Pedroza-Naquid was a native and citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States. Pedroza-Naquid has never received permission to enter or remain in the U.S. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Miguel Pedroza-Naquid can receive is imprisonment for 2 years and a fine of $250,000.00.

The case was investigated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and agents of ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Artemio Bustos Solano, age 40, of Horry County, S.C., pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.  Solano pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that in the later part of 2010, agents learned from a confidential informant that Solano and a co-defendant, who previously pled guilty and has been sentenced, were involved in the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine in the Horry County area.  The informant was able to approach Solano and the co-defendant and arrange for the controlled purchase of two kilograms of cocaine from them.  Solano negotiated the details of the deal which was to take place on April 8, 2011, in the parking lot of a grocery store on Highway 701N in Conway.  On April 8, the informant brought the “buy money” to the grocery store parking lot and showed it to the co-defendant who then left to retrieve the cocaine from Solano’s residence.  After the co-defendant returned to the grocery store with the cocaine, agents arrested the co-defendant and seized the two kilograms.  However, agents were not able to apprehend Solano at the scene.  He was not arrested until September 2017.           

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Solano can receive is imprisonment for 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000.00. 

The case was investigated by agents of ICE- Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Bobby Joe Drakeford, Jr., age 27, of Wallace, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Drakeford to 84 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release to follow.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on January 5, 2017, deputies with the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle involved in an attempted sale of suspected stolen firearms.  After deputies attempted to make a stop on the vehicle, Drakeford, who was driving the vehicle, failed to stop, and a vehicle chase ensued.  During the vehicle chase, Drakeford ran a stop sign, slammed the driver side of his car into the passenger side of a deputy’s patrol vehicle, struck a metal light pole, and caused his vehicle to roll into a parked car after exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot.  During the foot chase, a deputy observed Drakeford throw a small pistol over a fence and then climb over the fence.  Eventually, Drakeford succumbed to verbal commands to stop, and deputies were able to detain Drakeford and recover the pistol he had thrown over the fence.  The evidence presented also established that Drakeford had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cheraw Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Abdullah Jabbar Aquil, a/k/a “Wap,” age 42, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin and to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 851 and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established on February 3, 2017, after making several controlled buys of heroin from Aquil, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department executed a state search warrant upon one of Aquil’s residences. Inside they found a Glock .40 caliber firearm, ammunition, and digital scales. A further search of Aquil’s vehicle revealed a little over 9 grams of heroin. 

Aquil is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, possession of crack cocaine 2nd offense, and possession of a stolen pistol. At the time of the incident, Aquil was on federal supervised release for a 2009 federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm, for which he previously served a 70 months’ term of  imprisonment. Aquil’s federal supervised release was revoked in April 2017, and he is currently serving  24 months’ term of imprisonment for that revocation.   

Aquil faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. On the heroin charge, Aquil faces maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000, and 6 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Chris Anthony Bellamy, age 34, and Andre Matrel Rogers, age 40, both of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that, pursuant to a joint federal and state drug trafficking investigation in the Myrtle Beach area, law enforcement officers made a controlled purchase of cocaine base from Bellamy on August 20, 2015. Investigators later made a controlled purchase of cocaine base from Rogers on September 18, 2015.

Both men both face enhanced penalties on the drug charges based on prior state convictions for drug trafficking crimes. Bellamy and Rogers each face a maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 6 years on the drug charges.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina------United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced today Soeuth Ath, 45 and Sean Ath 53, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 846 and Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, following a week-long trial. The indictment also alleges the brothers used the United States Mail to facilitate a felony drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Soeuth Ath and Sean Ath each face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and maximum sentence of life in prison. Both men are await sentencing.

In September 2016, federal, state and local law enforcement executed multiple search and arrest warrants in Spartanburg County, Greenville County, and in Bakersfield, California, which led to the arrests of sixteen individuals, including six South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) inmates, for their roles in the wide-ranging drug and money laundering conspiracy that stretched from South Carolina to Los Angeles, Fresno and Bakersfield, California. In September 2017, after a week-long trial, two Department of Corrections inmates, Sok Bun, 28, and James Robert Peterson, 29, were found guilty of conspiring to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine following a week-long trial in federal court. In that case, the defendants also used the mail to facilitate felony drug offenses. The Ath brothers are the last two defendants to be convicted. All other defendants pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. 

The convictions are a result of a multi-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF Program is a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Its principal mission is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug-trafficking organizations primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.  The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of the United States Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg City Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Leesa Washington and Jeanne Howard, of the Greenville office, are prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Donna Arledge, age 43, of Greer, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Arledge and others stole mail in and around Greenville County in an effort to obtain bank account numbers, routing numbers, and identification information.  Once in possession of this material they would create counterfeit checks, or simply alter legitimate checks taken from the mail, and negotiate them to obtain money. 

The conspirators opened bank accounts in the names of others and used the accounts to deposit and withdraw stolen money. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Arledge can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Philip E. Williams, age 57, of Williamston, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to mail fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.  United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that prior to his disbarment, Williams was an attorney practicing in the upstate of South Carolina.  A large part of his practice was the probate of estates. Records indicate that he used money in his trust account to pay for living and personal expenses rather than to pay devisees and others for estates that he was handling.  To try to hide his wrongdoing, he would wait for another estate’s funds to be deposited and then try to pay off the devisees from the first estate.  This happened with at least four or five estates and snowballed into something of a pyramid scheme where he depended on estates from new clients to pay off the devisees of previous clients. 

For example, on October 24, 2012, Williams mailed in an accounting of an estate wherein he reported to the probate court that his trust account was flush with client money.  This was false because he had taken most of the money to pay personal living expenses.  In fact, what money he did have in the account came from another estate that had nothing to do with the estate he was reporting on. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Williams can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, supervised release of up to life, plus a special assessment of $100. 

The case was investigated by agents with the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Brantley Thomas, 61, of Hanahan, South Carolina, pled guilty to a total of twenty federal charges involving Embezzlement, Money Laundering and Public Corruption.  Evidence provided at the guilty plea established that Thomas, as the Berkeley County School District (BCSD) CFO, was responsible for paying BCSD vendors.  When payment was due to certain vendors, Thomas would intentionally overpay the vendors so that a refund check would be issued back to BCSD by the vendor.  Thomas then converted the refund checks issued to BCSD to his own use.   Thomas’ scheme involved sometimes depositing the refund checks into a personal bank account, and other times converting the checks into money orders, which he would then deposit into a personal account.  Thomas converted approximately $450,000.00 of School District money this way, spending the money on things such as travel and private club memberships.

Thomas also pleaded guilty to ten counts of Public Corruption.  Thomas admitted to taking sixteen kickbacks of $2,000.00 each, for a total of $32,000.00, from an insurance vendor in exchange for BCSD business.

The Embezzlement and Money Laundering counts each carry up to ten years imprisonment. The Public Corruption charges each carry up to twenty years imprisonment.  United States District Court Judge David C. Norton took the plea.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams and Assistant Attorney General Creighton Waters are prosecuting the case. 

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Columbia, South Carolina ------- In recognition of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, United States Attorney Beth Drake provides the following statement:

This January, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with its federal, state, and local partners, renews its commitment to working to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and to prosecuting those responsible for these human rights abuses.  We cannot simply stand on our past successes as these victories have illuminated how much more work we have to do. 

Last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted human trafficking cases from the coast to the midlands to the upstate. Each case opened one more window into this shadowy world.  We have learned that many victims of human trafficking are encountering South Carolinians in their places of work and leisure, yet they remain unseen or unnoticed.  Traffickers prey on men, women, and children - both foreign nationals and United States citizens, the rich and the poor, the black and the white, the young and the old, the educated and the uneducated.  The exploitation of these individuals varies from the forced labor of workers in the agricultural and service industries to the forced commercial sex trade and many other forms - all yielding shameful profits to the traffickers.   We each have a role to play in lifting the veil on this crime.   We at the Department of Justice encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of human trafficking, www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/recognize-signs, and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.  

Congress has provided the U. S. Attorney’s Office and its partners with strong and effective tools to bring to justice those who commit these most offensive human rights violations.  Through the vigorous prosecution of human traffickers working in conjunction with the FBI and DHS HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work to make South Carolina an area inhospitable to and intolerant of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our partner agencies,” said Atlanta Special Agent in Charge of Nick Annan.  “HSI human trafficking investigations follow a victim-centered approach, ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need, while at the same time investigating and seeking prosecution of the criminal perpetrators of this modern-day slavery.”

The FBI stated:  “The FBI and our federal, state, and local partners have made great progress in identifying human trafficking operations, prosecuting offenders, and helping victims, but much work remains to be done.  It is all our hope that as more people become aware of the magnitude of this problem, more critical information will be provided to us.  Therefore, we ask anyone with information about human trafficking to contact their nearest FBI office.”  (Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge, FBI-Columbia Division).

In 2017, the United States Attorney’s office in conjunction with its law enforcement partners prosecuted the following noteworthy cases:

United States v. Damon Taquan Jackson, a/k/a “Daddy Frost”, et al – 2:16-cr-00054 

This ten person sex trafficking conspiracy exploited its victims throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia through the use of backpage.com.  The defendants raped and beat their victims who were both adults and minors to force them to engage in commercial sex acts.

United States v. Alshura Tabil Annessa Frazier, 3:16-cr-00559

Frazier was convicted of sex trafficking of a minor and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  He was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment and supervised release for life.  This case illustrates the overlap between drug trafficking organizations and commercial; sex trafficking.

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Robert Bryan Mansfield, age 61, of Ladson, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston, to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.  United States District Judge David C. Norton, of Charleston, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on February 2, 2017, Special Agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations seized over a kilogram of fentanyl that had been shipped from Hong Kong and was destined for Mansfield at his residence in Ladson. Special Agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations in Charleston obtained and executed a search warrant at Mansfield’s residence and recovered over 100 grams of fentanyl, numerous other controlled substances, and items associated with the distribution and trafficking of narcotics. That same day, Postal Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service also recovered 10 packages of fentanyl that Mansfield attempted to mail to various locations across the United States.

During the investigation into Mansfield, Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration were able to identify Mansfield as the source of fentanyl that led to one individual’s overdose death in December 2016.  Further investigation showed that Mansfield used the “dark web” to purchase fentanyl and other controlled substances from sources in Hong Kong and other foreign locations.  He then sold fentanyl and other controlled substances through the “dark web” and used the United States Postal Service to ship packages to customers throughout the country.   

U.S. Attorney Drake stated that Mansfield faces a mandatory minimum of twenty years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Summerville Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

North Carolina Resident Indicted on Uttering a Forged Security.  Rhonda F.  Greer, age 54, of Shelby, North Carolina was charged in a one-count indictment.  Rhonda F.  Greer was charged with Uttering a Forged Security, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 513(a).  The maximum penalty Greer could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Woman Indicted on Immigration Document Fraud Charge. Martha A. Zambrano Soriano, age 37, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a forged/counterfeit immigration document, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a).  The maximum penalty Soriano could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

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.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Kerwin Eugene Brown, age 39, of Columbia, was sentenced to three years in jail for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 2250(a).  Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, presided. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 12, 2005, Brown pled guilty to Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature in the Richland County Court of General Sessions.  During the plea colloquy, the judge required that Brown register as a sex offender.  He was then sentenced to eight years in prison.

Brown moved to New York in 2013 and came to the attention of the FBI for unrelated activities.  Agents determined that Brown had been living in New York for at least six months and had not registered as a sex offender.

When FBI agents interviewed Brown on November 11, 2016, Brown indicated he moved to New York to pursue a music career.  He was living in the Trinidadian community in Queens and Brooklyn and was working construction and carpentry.  He acknowledged registering as a sex offender in April 2010 and through 2013, but he stopped when he moved to New York. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr. of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Brandon Leroid Cummings, age 27, and Brandon Christopher Craft, age 30, both of Sumter, pled guilty in federal court to various firearm and drug charges. Cummings pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine base (commonly known as “crack cocaine”) and conspiracy to use/carry/possess a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o). Craft pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to use/carry/possess a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(o). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that May 17, 2017, Cummings distributed crack cocaine and four baggies of heroin to a confidential informant and undercover officer in exchange for $400. The transaction, which occurred in Sumter, was recorded on audio/video. Thereafter, on May 25, 2017, Cummings made arrangements to sell a firearm and heroin to the confidential informant in exchange for $800. When Cummings arrived to meet the confidential informant and the undercover officer, he was accompanied by Craft. Cummings provided the confidential informant what he said was heroin. Craft produced a Taurus .38 caliber revolver from a bag hidden in his waistband and gave it to the confidential informant. The investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported as stolen. Additionally, the heroin sold by Cummings on this occasion, while packaged like the previously sold heroin, was found to be cocaine during a laboratory analysis.

Cummings faces an enhanced penalty on the drug charge in light of prior state convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of crack cocaine (2 counts), and possession schedule I/schedule II controlled substance 2nd offense. Craft is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree (3 counts), possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, assault and battery 2nd degree, and forgery.

Cummings and Craft each face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years on the conspiracy to use/carry/possess a firearm during a drug trafficking crime charge. Additionally, Cummings faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 6 years on the drug charge. Finally, on the felon in possession charge, Craft faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and not more than 3 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Michael Ruiz, age 53, and James Mondell, age 55, both of Greenville, South Carolina, were sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr.  Ruiz was sentenced to a term of incarceration of 160 months to be followed by 3 years of Supervised Release.  He was additionally ordered to pay $54,894.00 in restitution.  Mondell was sentenced to a term of incarceration of 40 months to be followed by 3 years of Supervised Release.  He was additionally ordered to pay $3,000.00 in restitution.

Both defendants entered pleas of guilty on September 20, 2017.  The facts, presented at the guilty plea hearing by Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens, established that Ruiz devised a scheme in which he pretended to be an Immigration Official and offered to take care of illegal aliens’ immigration problems in exchange for a fee.  A number of aliens agreed to pay Ruiz such fees for his services.  Ruiz did absolutely nothing for these aliens, however, he demanded more and more money ultimately threatening to have them deported if he did not receive further payments.  Additionally, Ruiz told one alien that he could have his family in Guatemala enter the United States and gain legal status in exchange for a fee.  This led to numerous international telephone calls which are the basis for the wire fraud charges.  Mondell played a lesser role in the offense.  Ruiz would have Mondell with him when he met with the aliens and due to Mondell’s size his presence alone served to intimidate the victims.  Additionally, Mondell was involved in handling the payments which were often in the form of money orders which Mondell would cash for Ruiz. 

United States Attorney Drake further stated that in addition each defendant received a further term of incarceration due to the fact that their offenses had been committed while they were already on Supervised Release for other crimes.  Ruiz received 24 months to be served consecutively to the 160 months referenced above.  Mondell received 27 months to be served consecutively to the 40 months referenced above.

This case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney David Stephens, of the Greenville office, prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Olvin Humberto Matute-Lopez, a/k/a “Humberto Lopez-Barralaga,” a/k/a “Fernando Dolero-Juarez,” a/k/a “Juan Carlos Matute,” a/k/a “Juan Lopez,” a/k/a “Humberto Lopez,” age 36, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-entry into the United States after Deportation.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Matute-Lopez to 15 months in federal prison with 1 year of supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on May 13, 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) Officers in Charleston, SC, discovered that Olvin Humberto Matute-Lopez, a native and citizen of Honduras, had been arrested by the Horry County Police Department for Driving Under the Influence and other traffic violations.  In 2008, Matute-Lopez was deported from the United States back to Honduras.  A records check revealed that Matute-Lopez had not received permission to enter, re-enter, or remain in the United States.

The case was investigated by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) and the Horry County Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Victor G. Dearing, age 35, of Greenwood, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson, to possession of a firearm by a felon, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on May 25, 2017, Greenwood City police officers received a tip that there was a subject with a gun selling heroin on Marion Avenue.  They went to investigate and saw Dearing in the immediate area.  They approached Dearing to speak with him and he ran. The officers pursued him and noticed that he appeared to being reaching for something inside his coat pocket.  Dearing eventually got tangled in briars and underbrush as he tried to escape in the woods.  The officers detained him and discovered that Dearing had a 9 mm handgun and ammunition as well as marijuana and 8.8 grams of heroin. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Dearing can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, three years of supervised release, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Greenwood City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Dominique Romando Turner, age 24, of Greenville, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court to “Conspiracy to Carry a Firearm During a Crime of Violence,” a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(o); “Felon in Possession of Firearm,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g); “Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a); “Hobbs Act Robbery,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a); and “Possessing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 23, 2016, Turner conspired with Trevis Bland, a/k/a/ “HellRell,” and another co-conspirator to rob a prostitute he solicited from backpage.com with a Technicorp .22 caliber revolver outside an Upstate hotel.  Turner set up the date with the victim and met her at the car.  The co-conspirators pointed a gun at the victim, forced her out of the car, and took her money. Bland carjacked the victim’s car. 

Again, on April 27, 2016, Turner and Bland robbed three victims at gunpoint outside of the same hotel.  One individual was hit on the back of the head with a hard object, and the co-conspirators took their money.  The co-conspirators drove away in a truck.  The getaway truck was recovered, and many of the victims’ items were found.  The firearm had initially belonged to Turner, but Turner sold it to Bland.  Both Turner and Bland have prior felony convictions that prohibited them from possessing firearms. Bland previously pled guilty before Judge Cain to conspiracy, armed robberies, carjacking, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon involving these facts.

Mrs. Drake stated the maximum penalty for these offenses is life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of ATF, the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, and the Easley Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville USAO is prosecuting the case.

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against the following:

Lancaster Man and Woman Indicted on Federal Firearm Charges.  Brandon Shane Polston, age 32, Austin Lee Ritter, age 23, and Kimberly Denise Cannon, age 39, all of Lancaster, were charged in a 3-count indictment with being felons in possession of firearms, possession of machineguns, and possession of machineguns and a destructive device not registered to them under the National Firearm Act, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2, 922(g)(1), 922(o) and Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d), and 5871. Each of the charges carries a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lancaster Police Department, and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that on December 19, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against the following:

Myrtle Beach Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.   Scott Borrowman, age 49, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with failure to register as a sex offender, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250(a).  The maximum penalty Borrowman could receive is ten years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.

Florence Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  Tayquan Taylor, age 22, of Florence, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with failure to register as a sex offender, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250(a).  The maximum penalty Taylor could receive is ten years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.

Horry County Man Indicted for Illegal Reentry into the U.S. after Deportation.  Juan Jose Mejia-Contador, age 23, of Horry County, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal reentry into the US after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Mejia-Contador could receive is two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.

Hartsville Man Indicted on Gun and Drug charges.  Tyrez Lavor Johnson, age 29, of  Hartsville, South Carolina, was charged in a 5 count indictment with felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).  The maximum penalty Johnson could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office for prosecution.

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

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WASHINGTON – The last indicted member of the Cowboys gang, a violent street gang that originated in “Eastside” area of Walterboro, South Carolina, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina.

Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon Jr. of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the announcement.

Dashawn Trevell Brown, aka TOB and Shawny, 24, of Walterboro, South Carolina, was sentenced to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge David C. Norton.  Judge Norton sentenced Brown to three years of supervised release following his prison sentence, and restitution for victims injured as a result of his criminal activity. 

According to the plea agreement, Brown was a member of the Cowboys gang, a violent street gang that originated in the “Eastside” area of Walterboro, South Carolina.  Members of the Cowboys show their allegiance by wearing red, white, and blue clothing, and carrying rags in these colors, including depictions of the American flag.  Further, members of the Cowboys greet each other and show their membership in the gang using a set of hand-signs intended to evoke the shape of a “b.”  This hand sign also shows an affiliation with the “Bloods” gang.  Members of the Cowboys also show allegiance to the gang by having the words “Cowboy(s)” or “GMC” tattooed to some part of their body.  The Cowboys gang was also, for a time, aligned with another violent street gang called the “Wildboys,” that originated out of the Green Pond area of Walterboro.  In addition to sharing a common interest in posting threats, firearms, large amounts of cash, and what purported to be narcotics on Facebook and YouTube, Cowboys and Wildboys shared common enemies.  These shared interests resulted in shootings, aimed at rival gang members, which left innocent by-standers seriously injured.

Brown was sentenced for his role in four shootings committed on behalf of his membership as a Cowboys.  On May 12, 2011, after an encounter with an individual believed to be a member of a rival gang, Brown fired shots at the victim.  The shooting occurred because of an on-going dispute between the Cowboys and the rival gang.  Brown was identified by witnesses to the shooting.  As a result of this, a retaliatory shooting occurred on May 14, 2011, during which, another innocent bystsander was shot and seriously injured.  Brown was also identified as having fired shots during this incident.

Second, Brown was sentenced for his role in a June 30, 2013 shooting in the Druid Hills areas of Walterboro.  Brown, who was in a vehicle occupied by two other members of the Cowboys, participated in a drive-by shooting of individuals believed to be members of a rival gang.  Brown, who fired shots resulting in injuries to the victim’s arm, days later encountered the victim and told him, “I should have killed you.”

Third, Brown was sentenced for his role in the July 14, 2013 shooting at the Starlite Lounge in St. George.  Brown, and other members of the Cowboys, attended a party at the lounge while dressed in Cowboys colors, including displays of red, white, and blue bandanas.  While members of the Cowboys were on stage, members of the Cowboys exchanged words with a patron.  After they believed they were disrespected by the patron, members of the Cowboys left the club and waited outside.  As individuals began to leave the club, Brown and at least four other members of the Cowboys fired guns toward those coming out of the club.  As a result of the shooting, at least three victims were shot and injured. 

Lastly, Brown was sentenced for his role in a Nov. 6, 2015 attempted murder.  Brown, along with co-defendants Khiry Broughton and Quintin Fishburne, attended a drag race outside of Walterboro.  After bets were placed, Broughton questioned the results of the race and demanded the winnings, which were held by one of the race drivers.  Broughton decided to rob the winner of the race and in so doing retrieved a backpack containing firearms from Fishburne’s vehicle.  Broughton provided the firearms to Brown and other members of the Cowboys.  After the winner refused to provide the money, the winner and another innocent bystander were shot and severely injured.  After the shooting occurred, Fishburne, who transported Brown and Broughton, drove Brown and Broughton from the scene to avoid apprehension by the police.

Khiry Broughton, Clyde Naquan Hampton, Matthew Rashuan Jones, William Lamont Cox, Bryant Jameek Davis, Zaquann Ernest Hampton, Christopher Sean Brown, and Quintin Fishburne were all sentenced in November for their roles in criminal activity related to the Cowboys.

In August, Attorney General Jeff Sessions delivered remarks to the 2017 Gangs Across the Carolinas Training Symposium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  Since the beginning of this year, the Department of Justice has secured more than 1,260 convictions against gang members.

The case was investigated by the ATF Charleston, in partnership with the Walterboro Police Department; Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; Summerville Police Department; Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Leshia Lee-Dixon of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tameaka A. Legette from the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Bluffton, South Carolina.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that John P. Garrett, age 35, of Simpsonville, and Benjamin G. Eller, age 30, of Simpsonville, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson, to a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendants stole mail in and around Greenville County in an effort to obtain bank account numbers, routing numbers, and identification information.  Once in possession of this material they would create counterfeit checks and negotiate them to obtain money for methamphetamine. 

Defendants often stole automobiles in order to steal mail and pass checks.  This was done so that the tag would not come back to them if law enforcement or a citizen spotted them.  Hundreds of pieces of stolen mail were recovered in this case along with checks already altered and made payable to defendants. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty defendants can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100. 

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cornelius C. Crawford., age 31, of Union, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson, to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on October 13, 2016, Officer Montjoy with the Jonesville Police Department observed a car failing to maintain lane and a passenger in the car with no seatbelt.  Based on these violations, he initiated a traffic stop.  When the car stopped, Crawford (who was the passenger) jumped out carrying a green and orange bag and made a run for it.  Officer Montjoy chased him.  After a chase, Crawford pulled out a .22 caliber Ruger, turned, and pointed it at the officer.  Montjoy ordered him over and over to drop the gun and get on the ground.  On the tenth or so command, Crawford finally got to the ground, and tried to bury the gun and a bag of cocaine next to him.  Once backup arrived, officers placed Crawford under arrest.  In the orange bag, the officer located a set of digital scales, five baggies of cocaine, and .22 caliber bullets.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty this defendant can receive is a fine of $2,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 30 years, six years of supervised release, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Jonesville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that James Coppers McKee, Jr., age 45, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced in Florence yesterday to 132 months imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. On July 24, 2017, McKee entered a guilty plea in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, imposed the sentence.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that, as part of an extensive investigation into methamphetamine distribution in the Horry County, a team of law enforcement from multiple agencies learned that McKee was a possible methamphetamine distributor. In 2014 and 2015, agents made three controlled buys of methamphetamine from McKee. McKee was also identified as being in possession of multi-ounce quantities of methamphetamine during the conspiracy. 

The case was investigated by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Florence, the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) in Conyers, Georgia.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Cynthia Cave, age 45, of Mount Pleasant, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston for three counts of Filing False Tax Returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1). United States District Judge Richard Mark Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Cave to 6 months imprisonment followed by 6 months home detention.

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearing established that Cave intentionally filed false tax returns for three separate tax years knowing that they did not accurately reflect her income.  Specifically, Cave admitted that in 2010, she stated that her total income was $92,700, when in fact, her actual income was at least $148,262; in 2011, she stated that her total income was $99,975, when in fact her total income was at least $168,578; and in 2012, she stated that her total income was $95,400, when in fact her total income was at least $195,726.

Under the terms of a plea agreement reached between Cave and the Government, Cave agreed to pay Dr. Tom Funcik, her former employer, $130,000 to settle claims that she took excess compensation. Cave also agreed to pay restitution to the Government in the amount of $105,276 reflecting the tax loss to the Government.

The case was investigated by agents of the IRS and FBI.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Austin and Winston Holliday prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Micah R. Vickery, age 37, of Greenville, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement conducted a proactive investigation involving a file-sharing network used by individuals with an interest in child pornography.  An undercover officer downloaded a video that Vickery had available for sharing. 

A federal search warrant was obtained and executed.  Electronic devices were seized and law enforcement found 900 images of child pornography.  Vickery admitted to having a problem with all sorts of pornography and admitted to searching for and downloading child pornography.  Agents found images of children under the age of 18, and some prepubescent, engaged in the lascivious display of the genitals and sexual activity.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Vickery can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, supervised release of up to life, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents with ICE - Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ephifanio Castillo-Pacheco, age 44, Isidro Camacho-Castillo, age 20, and Samuel Zepeda-Gonzalez, age 60, all of Galivants Ferry, SC, were sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell sentenced Castillo-Pacheco to 74 months imprisonment, Camacho-Castillo to 108 months imprisonment, and Zepeda-Gonzalez to 51 months.  Judge Harwell also ordered the forfeiture to the government of $177,989.00 seized from the defendants. 

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on March 8, 2017, during the execution of a federal search warrant, agents seized cocaine, multiple firearms, and a large amount of cash from a residence in Galivants Ferry, South Carolina.  During the search, Camacho-Castillo was in one of the bedrooms along with a loaded Glock .380 caliber pistol, a loaded Kassnar Imports 9mm pistol, and approximately 45 grams of cocaine.  In the bedroom belonging to Castillo-Pacheco, agents found approximately 14 grams of cocaine, 9mm and .380 caliber ammunition.  Castillo-Pacheco and Zepeda-Gonzalez were both located in the living room where they were counting $177,989.00 in cash.  Agents learned that Zepeda-Gonzalez had been paid to transport the cash to an unknown individual in McAllen, Texas.

The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Horry County Police Department, the South Carolina Highway Patrol and SLED.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Jhaquan M. Brown, age 28, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Brown could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Rosean Cerome Kelly, age 26, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count superseding indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Kelly could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Easley Resident Indicted on Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography.  William F.  Haynes, age 60, of Easley, South Carolina was charged in a 2-count indictment.  William F.  Haynes was charged with Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(5)(B) and 2252A(b)(2), and Distribution of Child Pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).  The maximum penalty Haynes could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

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

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.

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Columbia, South Carolina - United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Lonnie Eugene Hames, age 28, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was found guilty after jury trial of conspiracy to commit credit card fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1029(b)(2) and of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(g)(1). According to testimony presented during the trial, Hames and his co-defendant were responsible for the theft of a federal officer’s service weapon and credit cards from a vehicle in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Agents tracked the pair by following their use of the stolen credit cards to businesses in Charlotte, North Carolina. When apprehended, Hames and his co-defendant were found with the stolen firearm and other fraudulent credit cards.

Sentencing in the case has not yet been scheduled, but Hames faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office.

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Anderson, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael Donyell Robinson, age 35, of Anderson, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court for “Conspiracy to Sell Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, and “Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson sentenced Robinson to 78 months imprisonment. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that on November 17, 2015, a deputy from the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a car driven by Tempest Campbell for a traffic violation.  The officer found that Campbell’s license was expired and the passenger, Michael Robinson, was wanted on warrants out of North Carolina.  When asked why Robinson appeared nervous, Robinson handed the deputy a bag containing $9,760 in counterfeit currency and two plastic bags containing MDMA and methamphetamine. Inside Campbell’s purse, officers located a G.P.C. model 10, .22 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber.  Campbell stated that Robinson had shoved the gun in her purse when they saw the Abbeville patrol car’s blue lights. Robinson had two matching .22 caliber bullets on him and additional cocaine, crack, and a digital scale around his seat. Robinson has prior felony convictions, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.  Further investigation revealed that Campbell and Robinson had previously sold counterfeit to a third party. Robinson has remained in custody since his arrest.  Campbell previously pled guilty to the counterfeiting conspiracy.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service, ATF, and the Abbeville Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Colby L. Simmons, age 35, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, was found guilty by a jury in federal court in Anderson, for his involvement in a conspiracy to pass Treasury checks of the United States bearing falsely made or forged endorsements, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and making false statements to federal authorities, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, presided over the trial and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. 

Evidence presented at the trial established that there was a multistate conspiracy, beginning in or about June 2013, to steal Treasury checks and cash them.  The checks belonged to disabled veterans, retired federal employees, and current federal employees. Several victims appeared at trial and testified about having automobiles repossessed, no money for Christmas gifts, and loss of homes because of the thefts.  

The investigation focused on Simmons beginning in June 2014 during a car stop on I-85.  Greenville County deputies stopped Simmons and found a Treasury check that did not belong to Simmons and $10,000 in proceeds from the cashing of Treasury checks.  On top of the check recovered there was written the driver’s license number of Brandy D. Page, a co-conspirator from Cowpens, South Carolina, who has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The check was sent to the laboratory and it came back as having on it the fingerprints belonging to Joshua A. Martin, a co-conspirator from Spartanburg, South Carolina, who has pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.  Martin and Page arrested some months after the stop of Simmons’ vehicle and confessed to their involvement.

In December 2014, Wal-Mart in Boiling Springs reported that it was the victim of approximately $200,000 in reclamations related to the cashing of Treasury checks.  Three cashiers were interviewed and several picked Page out of a line up as a person who cashes multiple Treasury checks in the store.  Cashiers also identified Josh Martin as cashing multiple Treasury checks. 

In January 2015, the Greer Wal-Mart reported approximately $75,000 in reclamations related to the cashing of Treasury checks.  On many of these checks there were written Page’s driver’s license number and date of birth.  Others had Martin’s driver’s license number and date of birth.  The store also had on file fake power of attorney forms that Page and Martin had used to cash the checks.

Investigation revealed that Page and Martin began cashing checks for Simmons in the summer of 2013.  During the initial meeting with Simmons, Page received three to four (3-4) checks. There were many more meetings in which checks were provided to Page and Martin and proceeds from the cashing of the checks were given to Simmons.  Simmons brought Treasury checks to Page approximately one to two times per month for at least eighteen (18) months.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Simmons can receive on both charges is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Greer Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Zebedee Cleo Adams, age 37, of Saluda, South Carolina was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court in Greenville for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston sentenced Adams to 71 months imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearing established that on September 5, 2015, the Saluda Police Department attempted to stop Adams for speeding.  Adams drove his vehicle at high speeds through a neighborhood.  Adams was apprehended when he wrecked his car into a ditch.  Adams was arrested, and had a loaded  Beretta .32 caliber pistol in his pocket.  Adams had prior felony convictions for which he had not received a pardon and was prohibited from carrying a firearm.

The case was investigated by agents of the ATF and Saluda Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Quavon Melik Bellamy, age 22, of Longs, SC, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to Possession of a Stolen Firearm and Ammunition and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, heard the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on February 14, 2017, law enforcement responded to a call about a man with a gun.  The female 911 caller provided officers with Bellamy’s name and a vehicle tag number.  Officers ran the tag and identified the address on the vehicle’s registration.  Officers responded to the address and located the vehicle in the front yard.  When the officers arrived at the residence, Bellamy exited the house and officers informed him of the victim’s report.  Bellamy stated that he ran into the victim and they had “words,” but he denied possessing or presenting a firearm.  Officers confirmed the vehicle was registered to Bellamy and inquired about firearms in the vehicle.  Bellamy responded there were no firearms in the vehicle and gave consent to a search of the vehicle.  Upon opening the vehicle door, the officer immediately smelled marijuana.  Officers searched the vehicle and located a black purse on the back seat that contained two glass jars of marijuana and a scale.  Officers also found a Springfield Armory 9mm handgun on the rear floorboard, fully loaded with fifteen rounds of ammunition including one in the chamber.  After being advised of his rights and agreeing to speak with law enforcement, Bellamy initially claimed he did not know anything about the firearm, only later to admit it was his and that he presented it to the victim.  After running the firearm’s serial number through dispatch, officers confirmed that the firearm was stolen. 

US Attorney Drake stated that Bellamy faces a maximum penalty ten years in federal prison. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.

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WASHINGTON – Former North Charleston, South Carolina, Police Department (NCPD) Officer Michael Slager, 36, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today for his commission of a federal civil rights offense during his fatal shooting of Walter Scott, Jr. on April 4, 2015. This sentence resulted from the Court’s determinations that Slager’s actions in shooting Mr. Scott constituted second-degree murder, and his subsequent conduct constituted obstruction of justice as defined by federal sentencing guidelines.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina, Special Agent in Charge Alphonse “Jody” Norris of the FBI’s Columbia Division, Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson of the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced today’s sentence by U.S. District Judge David C. Norton.    

According to documents filed in connection with the guilty plea entered on May 2, 2017, Michael Slager, while acting as an NCPD Officer, willfully used deadly force on Walter Scott even though it was objectively unreasonable under the circumstances.  Slager had stopped Scott’s vehicle after observing that a brake light was not working.  During the stop, Scott fled on foot and Slager pursued him.  During the foot chase, Slager deployed his Taser and Scott fell to the ground.  Scott managed to get off of the ground and again run away.  Scott was unarmed and running away when Scott fired eight shots at him from his department-issued firearm.  Five shots hit Scott, with all of the bullets entering from behind.  Scott died as a result of the injuries from Slager’s gunshots.

“Law enforcement officers have the noble calling to serve and protect,” Attorney General Sessions said. “Officers who violate anyone’s rights also violate their oaths of honor, and they tarnish the names of the vast majority of officers, who do incredible work. Those who enforce our laws must also abide by them—and this Department of Justice will hold accountable anyone who violates the civil rights of our fellow Americans. On behalf of the Department of Justice, I want to offer my condolences to the Scott family and loved ones.”
“This state, this nation, owe a tremendous thanks to the Scott family for their commitment to see this case through,” said U.S. Attorney Drake.  “Their grace, their commitment are a lesson for us all.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, with the support of the FBI, conducted a thorough investigation that enabled us to build an excessive force case against former officer Michael Slager. I am so proud of the work put into this case by the dedicated law enforcement, victim advocates and trial teams at the state and federal level.” 

“When a law enforcement officer—who swears an oath to protect and serve—violates the civil rights of an individual, it erodes the public’s trust in the entire law enforcement community,” said Special Agent in Charge Norris. “The FBI will always respond to these acts and support our state and local partners, like the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), as we all strive to ensure the perpetrator meets justice.  The excellent work of SLED, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in bringing this matter to a close is to be commended.”

The federal case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Williams and Alyssa Richardson of the District of South Carolina, Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman, and Trial Attorney Rose Gibson of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Columbia Division and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The state case is being prosecuted by Scarlett A. Wilson and the Office of the Solicitor of the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Justin Bailey Rhodes, age 27, of Greenville, South Carolina was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Greenville for Possessing a Firearm In Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Rhodes to 100 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 25, 2016, South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole were conducting a home visit on parolee Justin Bailey Rhodes at his residence.  Officers searched Rhodes apartment and found bags of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a Bersa Model Thunder .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition.   A trace was conducted on the firearm, which was found to have been stolen.  Rhodes was arrested and has remained in custody since.

Rhodes’s case was expedited for federal prosecution pursuant to Operation “Real Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.  “Real Time” is a working collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as state and federal prosecutors. 

The case was investigated by agents of the ATF, South Carolina Department of Probation and Parole, and Greenville Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina------Eugene Jonathan James, age 19, of Orangeburg, was charged in a 2-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(k). The felon in possession charge carries a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. The obliterated serial number charge carries a maximum of 5 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Cayce Department of Public Safety, the Columbia Police Department, and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Alandis Patterson, a/k/a “Vino,” age 33, of Greenville, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by means of force and threats of force, in violation of Title 18, U.S.C. § 1594(c). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston sentenced Patterson to 240 months imprisonment, followed by a Life term of supervised release, and $50,000 in restitution to the victim.  

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that Patterson exploited an 18 year old girl, getting her hooked on cocaine and heroin, and beating her on an almost a daily basis to force her to have sex with numerous “Johns” a night from 2013 through the late fall of 2015.   Patterson would beat the victim when he believed she wanted to leave, when she did not make enough money, or if he believed she was taking any of the money because 100% of the prostitution proceeds went to him.  While Patterson did not use heroin himself, rather he used the drug to control the victim, making her “into a slave” for him.  Patterson discussed the tactic with another pimp, explaining that girls were easier to control when they were addicted to drugs.  The victim was finally able to break free from the defendant when he went to jail for a short time on unrelated charges, and she was able to withdraw from heroin.  When the defendant got out of jail, shortly thereafter, she told him that she was leaving him for the last time.  On that day, Patterson beat and choked the victim so severely she had to be treated in the hospital for bruises and swelling to her head and body and a possible concussion.

Ms. Drake stated, “The first step to eradicating human trafficking is to hold the traffickers accountable.  While the defendant in this case threatened the victim by telling her his name, ‘VINO,’ stood for ‘Vengeance Is Never Over,’ the sentence in this case sends a clear message to the contrary:  ‘the Violence Is Now Over.’  Those who traffic in sex need to take notice that our office, along with our federal and state law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute all those who operate in this destructive field.”

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, ATF, City of Spartanburg Police Department, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and Charleston County Sheriff’s Office.   Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen and Carrie Fisher Sherard of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Joseph F. Grossmann, age 68, of Lugoff, South Carolina, pled guilty to Bank Larceny, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 2113(b), and was sentenced to probation for three years, including one year of home confinement.  Grossmann was also ordered to pay $130,624 in restitution to the New York State Employees’ Retirement System. Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett presided at the hearing. 

Evidence presented during the change of plea established that between 2010 and 2015, Grossmann collected retirement benefits for his sister, a former New York state employee, even though she had died.  In total, he received approximately $130,624 over five years, none of which he was entitled to. 

The case was originally prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.  The case was transferred to South Carolina to accommodate the defendant’s health and living circumstances.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office handled today’s guilty plea and sentencing.

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Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced today that Shirley Carson, age 49, of Anderson, South Carolina, pled guilty as charged to a twenty count Indictment charging her with filing false income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.  The plea was accepted by United States District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks sitting in Greenville, South Carolina.  Judge Hendricks will sentence Carson at a later date.

The facts presented at the guilty plea established that Carson operated a small business doing income tax returns out of her home in the Anderson area.  Carson developed a reputation as being able to obtain significant tax refunds for lower income clients.  For tax years 2012 and 2013, Carson prepared the 19 fraudulent returns which comprise Counts 2-20 of the Indictment.  In these returns Carson was able to generate large refunds by falsely stating that the taxpayers had dependents who did not exist and medical or mortgage expense which had not been paid.  Additionally, as charged in Count One of the Indictment, Carson filed a false return for herself in which she used counterfeit W-2 forms to make it appear that she had paid taxes through withholdings which she had not, which caused a refund to which she was not entitled.

United States Attorney Drake stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Criminal Investigative Division of the Internal Revenue Service and prosecuted by Assistant United State Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office.

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