District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Felicia L. Prysock, age 41, of Wellford, South Carolina, pled guilty to Aggravated Identity Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1028A; and, Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, § 843(a)(3). Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten presided at the hearing and will sentence Prysock on February 27, 2018.   

Evidence presented at the change of plea established that Prysock filled ten different prescriptions forged in the names of her children and had Medicaid pay for them.  The conduct occurred between July 2016 and April 2017.  The investigation revealed that these prescriptions were for Schedule II opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Adderall. 

U.S. Attorney Drake stated the statutorily mandated penalty faced by Prysock for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1028A is imprisonment for two years, with a potential fine up to $250,000. The maximum penalty for a violation of Title 21, United States Code, § 843(a)(3) is four years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, along with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that John Andrew Pienkos II, age 46, of Little River, and Alexander Tomovski, age 49, of Murrells Inlet, both of whom practiced in Conway, were charged in a one-count Indictment by a Grand Jury in Florence for Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349.   

Ms. Drake stated the penalty faced by the Defendants for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349 is imprisonment for ten years, with a potential fine up to $250,000.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Postal Service investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in the indictment 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 Miguel Angel Urieta-Jaimes, age 42, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Urieta-Jaimes to 157 months imprisonment and four years of supervised release. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Urieta-Jaimes conspired with others throughout 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia and Anderson County, South Carolina, to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine.  Urieta-Jaimes coordinated deliveries to individuals in Anderson County and was eventually arrested, in November 2015; at the time, he was found in possession of various controlled substances, including methamphetamine, and a firearm.

The case was investigated by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that James Jacob Parrish, Jr., age 26, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten 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 that at approximately 8:00pm on Sunday, March 26, 2017, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (“RCSD”) were dispatched to an alarm and shots-fired call at Columbia Mall on Two Notch Road. The mall was closed at that time. Deputies located a vehicle registered to Parrish parked in the median of the mall parking lot with a flat front tire and noticed bullet holes in the glass door of the Sears Automotive Department with spent 9mm shell casings lying on the sidewalk in front of the door. Upon making entry into the Sears Automotive Department, deputies noticed an interior glass door had been shot out as well.

The RCSD’s Special Response Team (“SRT”) responded to the scene and ultimately located Parrish barricaded inside an interior room. SRT tried to negotiate with Parrish to surrender peacefully and during the negotiations, Parrish made threats to shoot the officers. After unsuccessful negotiations, SRT made entry into the room and encountered Parrish pointing a loaded Kahr 9mm handgun at them. SRT was able to safely apprehend Parrish and placed him under arrest. Parrish was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment for a foot injury he sustained when he fell through a ceiling while trying to escape detection. While at the hospital, Parrish attempted to take a handgun from a deputy.

Parrish is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior North Carolina state convictions for carrying a concealed firearm (2002), possession of stolen goods (2003), possession of cocaine (2003), sell of cocaine (2003), possession with intent to distribute counterfeit currency (2003), second degree murder, second degree kidnapping, attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, and sell of cocaine (2005). Parrish had been released from a North Carolina prison in 2015.    

Parrish 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the RCSD 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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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Myron Anvil “Mac” McCall, age 59, of Greenville, South Carolina, was found guilty as charged by a jury in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, of an indictment listing twenty seven (27) counts of violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 287.  Specifically, each count of the indictment charged that McCall had filed a false tax return for another person.  The trial was presided over by United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks who will sentence Mr. McCall at a later date.

Testimony at trial showed that McCall had worked with over 80 prison inmates and, using their names and Social Security numbers, had prepared false income tax returns for them and sought to obtain fraudulent refunds from the government totaling approximately $500,000.  The scheme was discovered when an incriminating letter from Mr. McCall to an inmate in an Arkansas state prison was intercepted.  The letter led to the involvement of Internal Revenue Service investigators who stopped the scheme.  However, almost $300,000 in fraudulent refunds had already been sent out.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Maxwell Cauthen and David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office.  U.S. Attorney Drake commends the Internal Revenue Service for its diligence and hard work in investigating and assisting in the prosecution of Mr. McCall.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jeffrey Dean Daily, age 45, of Gaffney, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson on charges of using an explosive device to damage a building, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain imposed a sentence of 60 months, followed by three years of supervised release with restitution.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing earlier this year established that, on October 1, 2014, Daily used an explosive device to damage the Chesnee Car Wash, and on July 6, 2015, he used an explosive device to damage the Oasis Car Wash in Gaffney. On July 17, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Daily’s residence and found components like those used in the two explosions at the carwashes. Agents also recovered an intact homemade explosive device located in Daily’s truck. 

The Chesnee Police Department, Gaffney Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Greenville Safe Neighborhoods held its second notification meeting Monday evening in Greenville. Led by Chief Ken Miller and the Greenville Police Department, GPD launched Greenville Safe Neighborhoods in March, holding the inaugural meeting on March 27, with the stakeholders, partners, as well as the first round of participating individuals, all of whom are currently on state probation.   Additional core partners in the program include the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the South Carolina Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, New Mind Health and Care, Inc., and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
 
Greenville Safe Neighborhoods is a unified, proactive police and community collaboration that engages, educates and empowers repeat serious offenders to obtain assistance, change behavior, make healthy life choices or suffer consequences of unified police/prosecutorial focus and priority.  Predicated on the work of Professor David M. Kennedy of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, this focused-deterrence model aligns intervention and prosecutorial resources to create an appropriate mix of legal and ethical pressure to change offender behavior, reduce recidivism and severity, and reduce victimization.  The Greenville Police Department has been working with its core partners for several months in planning, developing and resourcing the pilot program. 
 
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves as a partner in similar iterations across the state, to include Aiken Safe Communities, Hartsville Safe Communities, Ceasefire Columbia, and most recently, Home Front--the focused-deterrence model focusing on domestic violence in Spartanburg County.
 
The Greenville Safe Neighborhoods initiative identifies participants based upon their present and past criminal conduct.  Participants attend a meeting with local, state and federal law enforcement officials and prosecutors as well as with service providers, family and affected community members.  In the meeting, participants have meaningful access to a host of services or contacts to help them address physical or psychological needs. 
 
GPD Chief Ken Miller, who anchored the meeting on Monday evening, brought the program’s core partners together to make this initiative a reality.  “The Greenville Police Department is committed to working with our community and our program participants and stakeholders to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.”
 
During the meeting, the participants observed the unified commitment to this effort between law enforcement and the community.  The goal the stakeholders hope to achieve is engaging a participant to address his or her needs, make meaningful strides, and avoid re-offending, thereby making the Greenville community safer.  Also underscored during the meeting--the commitment between all levels of law enforcement and prosecution.  Should a participant disregard this opportunity and re-offend, new offenses will be identified in “real time” and they will be brought to justice swiftly--in state court or federal court.
 
Solicitor Walt Wilkins has dedicated prosecutors to this effort and will be working closely with federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  “We are excited about this partnership and the promise that Greenville Safe Neighborhoods holds for effective communication between the community and local, state, and federal law enforcement.”
 
U.S. Attorney Drake thanked Chief Miller, Solicitor Wilkins, and the other agencies for their leadership and for bringing the stakeholders together. “These South Carolinians have some important choices to make in terms of changing their path in life.  The resources and community commitment are there.”

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Bobby Eric Spates, age 26, of Florence, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  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.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on March 31, 2017, members of the Florence Police Department (FPD) responded to a 911 call regarding a pedestrian pointing a gun at a motorist on West Evans Street in Florence.  Based on the description of the armed pedestrian received from the motorist, FPD made contact with the pedestrian, identified as Spates, detained him in handcuffs, and asked Spates if he had any weapons on him.  Spates responded he had a gun in his pants pocket.  The officer proceeded to pat-down Spates and felt what appeared to him to be a gun in Spates’ right front pants pocket.  The officer then removed a loaded Phoenix Arms .22 caliber pistol.  The officer advised Spates of his Miranda warnings and advised Spates he was under arrest.  The officer next secured a box of .22 caliber ammunition from the same pocket where the firearm was located.  Prior to his possession of the firearm, Spates had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  

Ms. Drake stated the defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department and the ATF.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Doc McNeil Matthews, 48, of Hollywood, South Carolina, and Mary Jo Thomas-Delaney, 68, of Summerville, South Carolina, were sentenced to prison for their roles in a scheme to embezzle funds from the St. Paul’s Fire District.  Matthews was sentenced to 33 months imprisonment and Thomas-Delaney was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.  Both sentences included three years of supervised release, to follow the respective terms of imprisonment.  United States District Court Judge Richard Gergel imposed the sentences.

Matthews and Thomas-Delaney were convicted following a jury trial in July, 2017.  Evidence at trial proved that from December, 2010, through August, 2012, Matthews and Thomas-Delaney, along with others, embezzled approximately $215,000.00 from the St. Paul’s Fire District.  The group utilized a FEMA grant that had been awarded to the Fire District. Thomas-Delaney was responsible for administering the grant, while Matthews was the St. Paul’s Fire Chief at the time.  The grant contained funds for grant administration, which was inflated without any authority, then the inflated amounts were shared amongst the defendants, resulting in a total loss of $183,375.00. 

The conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charleston.

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WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced $98,495,397 in grant funding through the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The Attorney General announced funding awards to 179 law enforcement agencies across the nation, which allows those agencies to hire 802 additional full-time law enforcement officers.

“Cities and states that cooperate with federal law enforcement make all of us safer by helping remove dangerous criminals from our communities,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “Today, the Justice Department announced that 80 percent of this year’s COPS Hiring Program grantees have agreed to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in their detention facilities. I applaud their commitment to the rule of law and to ending violent crime, including violent crime stemming from illegal immigration. I continue to encourage every jurisdiction in America to collaborate with federal law enforcement and help us make this country safer.”

Beth Drake, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, applauded the Department’s continued dedication to fighting violent crime at the local level and securing communities across South Carolina.  “The COPS grants will result in the hiring of additional officers in Berkeley County, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg. Protecting our communities against violent criminals is paramount and we look forward to continuing these efforts and working closely with our state and local law enforcement partners.”

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department was awarded $1,000,000 for eight new officers.  The City of Myrtle Beach was awarded $1,250,000 in grant funding for the hiring of ten new officers.  The Spartanburg Department of Public Safety received $244,409 which will provide for the hiring of two new officers. 

CHP provides grant funding directly to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to support hiring additional law enforcement officers for three years to address specific crime problems through community policing strategies.

In September, the Justice Department announced additional priority consideration criteria for FY2017 COPS Office grants. Applicants were notified that their application would receive additional points in the application scoring process by certifying their willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities within their detention facilities. Cooperation may include providing access to detention facilities for an interview of aliens in the jurisdiction’s custody and providing advance notice of an alien’s release from custody upon request. Eighty percent of the awarded agencies received additional points based on their certifications of willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing officers, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.

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Columbia, South Carolina------U.S. Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Brian Willie Benson Lewis, age 23, of Bishopville, South Carolina, Demetrius Jamal Cummings, age 24, of Greenville, South Carolina, Zanadro Miltaliano Neal, age 33, of Greenville, South Carolina, Darius Jacoby Brown, age 28, of Piedmont, South Carolina, and Antonio Williamson, age 30, of Florence, South Carolina, were charged in a four-count indictment with conspiracy to attempt to murder a witness of the State of South Carolina, in aid of racketeering activity, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1959(a)(5); conspiracy to assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering activity, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1959(a)(6); and conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o).

It is alleged in the indictment that all five individuals are members of the Elm Street Piru Bloods.  Cummings was also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).  All five defendants were arraigned today in federal court.  The maximum penalty Lewis, Neal, Brown, and Williamson could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment for 20 years. The maximum penalty Cummings could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment for Life.  This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer 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 Ephifanio Castillo-Pacheco, age 44, Isidro Camacho-Castillo, age 20, and Samuel Zepeda-Gonzalez, age 60, all of Galivants Ferry, SC, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.  Castillo-Pacheco, Camacho-Castillo and Zepeda-Gonzalez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, §841(a)(1).  Camacho-Castillo also pled guilty to possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, §924(c).  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 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, and 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.            
 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Castillo-Pacheco and Zepeda-Gonzalez can receive is imprisonment for 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000.00  The maximum penalty Camacho-Castillo can receive is imprisonment for life and a fine of $1,000,000.00.

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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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Enrique Garcia Burgos, age 45, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced in federal court to 85 months imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. On July 25, 2017, Burgos entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence imposed the sentence. 

This case was part of an extensive investigation conducted by a team of law enforcement agencies into the sale of heroin and other illegal drugs in the Horry County, South Carolina, area. During the investigation, Burgos, and a co-defendant, Asuncion Arguello, were identified as possible heroin distributors in the Myrtle Beach area. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that agents made a controlled purchase of heroin from Arguello in January 2016. Several months later, based on additional information learned during the investigation, agents stopped a vehicle occupied by Burgos and Arguello on Interstate 20 in Florence County. Agents searched the vehicle and located a loaded firearm, over 1 kilogram of heroin, and nearly 500 grams of cocaine.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit , and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Roderick Randy England was sentenced, to be imprisoned to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release, in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, by United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell.  England previously pled guilty to making a false application on a passport application which is a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. 1542.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea and other hearings established that England, a citizen of Jamaica, previously served a prison sentence in Florida after being convicted on charges of making a false claim of citizenship with the intent to obtain a state benefit. England was also sentenced to a one year term of supervised release which required him to report to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal proceedings when he was released from custody.  However, England failed to report upon his release. Instead, England applied for a passport at the Post Office in Longs, South Carolina, on February 21, 2013, using a false name and the birth certificate of a citizen of the U.S. Virgin Islands. England was later arrested in Tacoma, Washington, and charged with driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and escape.  England was then transported back to South Carolina to face federal charges. 

Agents of the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Day of the Columbia office prosecuted 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:

Husband and Wife Indicted on Conspiracy and VISA Fraud.  Michael A. Rawson, age 48, of Anderson, South Carolina, and Brenda Rawson, age 47, of Bluffton, South Carolina, were charged in a two-count indictment.  Both were charged with Conspiracy, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371, and VISA Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1546(a).  The maximum penalty that both could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Spartanburg Man and Jonesville Woman Indicted on Federal Drug Charges. Tromone L. Hall, age 37, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Jennifer N. Allen, age 34, of Jonesville, South Carolina, were charged in a two-count indictment with possession with the intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846.  The maximum penalty they could face is a fine of $10,000,000.00 and/or Life imprisonment.  The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Phillip James Childers, age 26, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count 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 Childers could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Four Aliens Arrested and Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States.  Gilberto Netro Castillo, age 37, Bernardino Mendoza-Ruiz, age 23, Salomon Arreola-Martinez, age 34, and Vicente Salazar-Rodriguez, age 27, are each charged in a one count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty each could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 2 years. The cases were investigated by agents of the ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen 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 Jay Byron Wright, age 41, of the Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia, Christine Wright, age 24, of Windsor, South Carolina, and Barbara Lynn Clayton, age 43, also of Windsor, were charged in a one-count Indictment by a Grand Jury in Columbia for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349.   

Ms. Drake stated the penalty faced by the Defendants for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349 is imprisonment for ten years, with a potential fine up to $250,000.

The Deschutes County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Office and SLED (South Carolina) investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

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

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Washington – A member of the Wildboys gang was sentenced today to 20 years in prison in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, after being found guilty by a federal jury for his role in the attempted murder of a rival gang member.

The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco 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.

Devin Brown aka “Deno Badazz,” 23, of Green Pond, South Carolina, was sentenced to 240 months in prison, including a 10 year mandatory minimum consecutive sentence by U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel, for use of a firearm during a crime of violence.  In addition, Brown was ordered to serve a term of three years of supervised release, and to pay the cost of the victim’s medical care.  

According to evidence presented at trial, Brown was a member of the Wildboys, a violent street gang from the Green Pond area of Walterboro, South Carolina.  At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that showed that beginning as early as 2012, Brown and other Wildboys gang members engaged in racketeering activity, including the April 7, 2015, attempted murder of a rival gang member in a drive-by shooting involving assault-type firearms.  An innocent bystander inside the home was shot and injured, the evidence showed.

Four individuals have previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the Wildboys gang.  In June 2017, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel of the District of South Carolina sentenced Wildboys members and associates Kelvin Mitchell, Damien Robinson, and Brian Manigo for their roles in gang-related racketeering activities.  In August 2017, Wildboys member Joshua Manigault, aka “J-Rizzle,” was sentenced for his role in gang-related activities.

This case was investigated by the ATF Charleston, South Carolina Office, 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 Michael Jones, age 59, formerly of Irmo, South Carolina has been sentenced in federal court in Columbia, for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Jones to 21 months incarceration followed by three years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 8, 2015, the Irmo Police Department responded to a domestic dispute.  Upon arriving at the scene, a woman informed the officers that her husband, Jones, was trying to cut her grandson.  The younger male, who was standing on the front stoop of the house, informed the officers that his grandfather was trying to cut him with a piece of glass.   They told the officers that Jones was in the back bedroom.  Through the open front door, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come outside, to which there was no response.   The officers entered the home through a side door.  They saw a closed doorway at the end of the hallway.  Again, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come out of the room, which Jones refused. 

Other officers arrived and Jones partially opened the door with the left side of his body concealed by the door.   From his position, one officer was able to see that Jones had a rifle with a brown stock and a black barrel in his hand, with his finger on the trigger guard.  The officer deployed his Taser hitting Jones who fell to the floor, but was able to stand up and pointed the gun at the officers.  The officers fired their weapons and Jones was struck multiple times. 

Upon entering the room, the officers located a .22 caliber Remington rifle loaded with .22 caliber ammunition lying next to Jones.  At the time of this incident, Jones had been previously convicted of two counts of common law robbery, which prevented him from possessing a firearm.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Irmo Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.  This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that 13 individuals have been charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846. Those individuals are as follows:

Demetrius Dwayne Swinton, a/k/a “Million Dolla Meat”, age 30, of Pooler, Georgia
Liz Ashante Christopher, age 30, of Suwanee, Georgia
Christopher Johnson, a/k/a “Unc”, age 48, of Ridgeland, SC
Travis Wiggins, a/k/a “Trap”, age 26, of Ridgeland, SC
Derrick Edwards, a/k/a “Markie”, age 24 of Ridgeland, SC
Johnita Anderson, a/k/a “Goat”, age 35 of Hardeeville, SC
David Grober, a/k/a “JY”, age 35, of Beaufort, SC
Boston Brown, age 30, of Bluffton, SC
Samuel Jones, age 34, of Beaufort, SC
Ernest Tyrone Fields, a/k/a “Fly”, age 37, of Hilton Head, SC
Devin Swinton, age 27, of Ridgeland, SC
Ryan Walters, age 31, of Hilton Head, SC
Terrance Wallace, a/k/a “Bird”- age 31, of Hilton Head, SC

In addition to the conspiracy charge, Demetrius Swinton has been charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 848.  Ryan Walters and Terrance Wallace also face additional drug charges, while Boston Brown faces additional firearms charges and Travis Wiggins and Derrick Edwards face additional drug and firearms charges.

As part of the investigation, on November 15, 2017, the DEA Charleston Resident Office, the Tampa District Office, Savannah Resident Office, Atlanta Field Division, ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, Hampton County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed eleven (11) simultaneous search warrants and arrested ten defendants located in Beaufort and Jasper, South Carolina; Suwanee, Pooler, and Savannah, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida. 

During the course of the investigation into this drug trafficking organization, agents have seized over $45,000, 37 firearms, over 45 kilograms of cocaine, over 1 kilogram grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of heroin, 129 grams of MDMA and 1 pound of marijuana, as well as 5 vehicles used by the drug trafficking organization.  The maximum penalty each defendant could receive is life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. 

United States Attorney Drake stated, “The indictment and arrests of these defendants is the result of a lengthy investigation aimed at removing those responsible for pushing large quantities of drugs into our communities, often while armed with deadly weapons.  We will continue to move forward with this investigation and prosecution and do all we can to give the people of South Carolina a safe place to live.”

Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, “Today’s law enforcement operations are a credit to the multitude of law enforcement agencies who have been working to dismantle this drug trafficking organization. The actions taken thus far will hopefully bring stability and safety to the communities in which the organization has operated. This effort would not have been successful without the high-level of cooperation between our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office and Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s 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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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Crystal Lynn Norris, age 27, of Florence, SC, was sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Forged and Counterfeited Securities, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 371.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Norris to 16 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that during the period from November through December of 2016, Norris was involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass forged and counterfeited securities (checks) of organizations.  Norris and another person stole mail from mailboxes at various residences in Florence and Darlington Counties, looking for checks within the mail.  Norris would then either alter or forge the stolen checks by substituting herself as the payee or would use genuine bank account and routing numbers from the stolen checks to make counterfeit checks.  Norris then went to banks in Florence and Easley to present the forged and counterfeited checks for payment. 

The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the Florence Police Department, and the Easley Police Department.  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 a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:

Former Town of Kiawah Officials Indicted for Wire Fraud. Tumiko Rucker, age 42, of Johns Island, S.C., and Harrison Kenneth Gunnells, age 59, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., were charged in a 1-count Indictment with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1349 and 1344.  The maximum penalty that Rucker and Gunnells 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 (FBI) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Georgia Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of a Gun by a Convicted Felon. Mariel Watson, age 28, of Columbus, Georgia, was charged in a 2-count Indictment with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2250 and 922.  The maximum penalty that Watson could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Man Indicted for Immigration Offense.  Luis Rivera-Perez, age 34, of Mexico, was charged with the Illegal Reentry of a Felon, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty that Rivera-Perez could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Man Indicted for Immigration Offense.  Cesar Antonio Zepahua-Rodriguez, age 33, of Mexico, was charged with the Illegal Reentry of a Felon, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty that Zepahua-Rodriguez could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston 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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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that James Anthony Brown, age 39, of Columbia, entered a guilty plea today before Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson to one count of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). As a result of this plea, Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment and a possible maximum of 40 years imprisonment, followed by at least 4 years of supervised release.

Evidence presented in court established that on May 27, 2016, Richland County Deputy Sheriffs stopped Brown after deputies observed him retrieving a package, suspected of containing narcotics, from the front porch of a residence in Columbia, SC. After encountering Brown, deputies searched the package and found 11.9 pounds of marijuana. Deputies then searched Brown’s home and found a second package containing approximately 775 grams of methamphetamine (street value of approximately $20,000). This second package was addressed to Brown and had the same return address as the previous package containing 11.9 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, deputies found more marijuana, drug paraphernalia, ecstasy and an assault rifle inside of Brown’s home.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys William C. Lewis and Alyssa L. Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jake Rupert, age 33, of Lexington, was sentenced to 96 months imprisonment, which will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Rupert plead guilty in federal court in August 2017 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to being in 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). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, imposed the sentence, which was the maximum under the suggested federal sentencing guidelines range.

Evidence presented in court established on April 19, 2017, a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol was on patrol on Boy Scout Road in Lexington County when he observed a male (later identified as Rupert) and a female trying to take a tire off a Dodge Charger on the side of the road. The two individuals advised that they were trying to get the Charger out of the dirt for a friend and that their vehicle was the Lexus parked across the road. The trooper noticed that the tag on the Lexus was expired and the male and female both provided false names to the trooper, so he called for backup from the Gaston Police Department. During this time, Rupert paced back and forth nervously and put on three additional t-shirts until the trooper advised him to have a seat on the ground next to the Lexus. After learning Rupert’s true identity, the trooper patted Rupert down and found a loaded Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun in the front waistband of his pants. The serial number on the handgun had been obliterated. The trooper also found a black bag containing additional 9mm ammunition on the ground where Rupert had been sitting. Rupert admitted to being released from state prison on March 31, 2017, and to being a gang member. Rupert was placed under arrest for state charges. At the detention center, officers also found a small amount of marijuana in Rupert’s wallet. The female was also arrested on outstanding warrants. Rupert made bond on the state charges.

During the federal investigation, ATF learned that Rupert was the individual being sought by local law enforcement after accidentally discharging a shotgun inside Dutch Square on April 22, 2017, three days after the above incident. After advise of rights, Rupert admitted to ATF that he had a sawed-off shotgun in a bag inside the mall and that when he sat the bag down, the gun accidentally discharged. Rupert advised that he then fled the scene.  

Rupert is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, burglary 2nd degree, grand larceny (4 counts), and possession of stolen motor vehicle. At the time of the incident, Rupert was on supervised re-entry release from the South Carolina Department of Corrections after being released March 31, 2017.   

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Gaston Police 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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Anderson, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Gabriel Espitia Escandon, age 43, of Mexico City, Mexico, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson to Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty plea and will impose the 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 28, 2016, a Simpsonville Police Department officer pulled over a white F-150 driven by Gabriel Escandon for speeding. When asked for his license and registration, Escandon stated he was not a legal citizen and did not have a license.  The officer arrested Escandon and searched the vehicle, finding a KelTec P32 in the driver side door pocket. The gun was loaded with three hollow point rounds. Escandon previously applied for and was denied entry into the United States.  Escandon is a citizen of Mexico and is illegally present in the United States, therefore it is a crime for him to possess a firearm.

On October 6, 2016, an officer of the Greer Police Department pulled over the same white F-150.  Escandon was again driving without a license, and the officer observed what appeared to be drugs on the floorboard. The officer deployed a K-9 unit, which alerted to the presence of narcotics.  The officer searched the vehicle and found 26.45 grams of methamphetamine in a sock in a cup in the center console. 

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Escandon could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 dollars.   The case was investigated by agents of ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Simpsonville Police Department, and Greer Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cristobal Guevara Castelan, age 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson.  Castelan pled guilty to committing fraud in connection with the use of identification information in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028.  United States District Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose a 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 Castelan coordinated with another individual to use the identities and identification of Mexican nationals to apply for Internal Revenue Service Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs).  ITINs are legal identification numbers used to file tax returns by non-resident or resident alien individuals who are present in the country and who are performing work for employers that are withholding various federal monies from the individual’s wages.  The ITINs permit the non-resident or resident alien, who does not possess a social security number, to file a legal tax return and to receive, where appropriate, refunds due.  Castelan, however, was appropriating the identities of individuals, from Mexico, who had not actually performed any work in the United States, to apply illegally for ITINs and then, subsequently, for fraudulent returns.  Through the investigative efforts of the IRS, Castelan’s scheme was disrupted before any improper refunds were actually paid out by the federal government.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 15 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by Special Agent Edwin Rogers of the Internal Revenue Service.  Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.

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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA –The United States Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, along with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA) and the Strom Thurmond Foundation, hosted the annual Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement Luncheon today at the Fort Jackson Officers' Club, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Approximately 150 state, local and federal law enforcement officials from across the state attended the awards luncheon.
 
The following South Carolina law enforcement officers received the 2017 awards:   City – Chief George D. Brothers, Edisto Beach Police Department
 
County – Sheriff Phillip E. Thompson, Horry County Sheriff’s Office
 
Federal – Special Agent Barry A. Wilson, U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration
 
State – Major C. Todd Hughey, SLED
 
The Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement were established by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1983 to recognize law enforcement officers whose performances demonstrate the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement.  An annual award is given in each of four categories: (1) City Officer; (2) County Officer; (3) State Officer; and (4) Federal Officer.  An awards committee composed of representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Strom Thurmond Foundation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, along with a police chief and sheriff who have received the award selected the recipients from nominations received from across the state.
 
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated, "It is indeed an honor to recognize these four outstanding officers.  They each exemplify the best in law enforcement, serving their agencies, this state, and our nation with distinction, integrity, and character--making tremendous personal sacrifices to ensure just enforcement.”
 
City Recipient
 
George D. Brothers
Chief
Edisto Beach Police Department
 
Chief George Brothers graduated from T. L. Hanna High School in Anderson, SC. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from Central Wesleyan College in Human Resource Management. Chief Brothers received his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of
South Carolina.
 
Chief Brothers began his law enforcement career in 1980 as a Reserve Officer for the City of Anderson, SC. When he relocated to Charleston County, he began their Reserve Officer Program in 1983. He served in this capacity for approximately three years. Chief Brothers then volunteered as a Reserve Officer for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in 1987. It was there he decided to commit to law enforcement in a full-time capacity and was hired as a Deputy Sheriff in 1990. Chief Brothers graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy as the winner of the J.P Strom Award in 1991. He advanced through the ranks at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department from a deputy to a DARE Officer and then as a Juvenile Investigator. He was promoted to Deputy Regional Commander at the rank of Lieutenant. He served as Captain of Headquarters Region and eventually was promoted to Major of the Department.
 
Chief Brothers retired from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department in 2011 and moved to the private sector. Chief Brothers returned to law enforcement in 2013 as an officer with the Edisto Beach Police Department and was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2014. He was selected as Chief of Police in 2015.
 
Chief Brothers has been married for 39 years to his wife, Jackie, who also retired from law enforcement. He enjoys spending time with his family enjoying the beach and traveling.
 
 
County Recipient
 
Phillip E. Thompson
Sheriff
Horry County Sheriff’s Office
 
Sheriff Phillip E. Thompson is a 39-year veteran of law enforcement. He gained his law enforcement experience with both the Myrtle Beach and Horry County Police Departments before being elected Sheriff of Horry County in January 2001. He is currently serving his fifth term as Sheriff.
 
Sheriff Thompson has served as the Chairman of the 15th Judicial Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit since its conception in 2006. Sheriff Thompson’s commitment to assisting others lead to the creation of the only incarcerated drug treatment program for inmates in South Carolina, which is a model for incarceration treatment programs in the Southeast. The success of the program resulted in a three-year partnership with the South Carolina Department of Corrections in providing a reentry treatment program for inmates reentering in to society. As a result, Sheriff Thompson was awarded the Young Offender Parole and Reentry Services Judge Bill Byars Community Partner Award in Law Enforcement by Governor Nikki Haley in May of 2016. In July of 2017, Sheriff Thompson was awarded Sheriff of the Year by the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association.
 
Sheriff Thompson has been married to his wife, Cherry, over 48-years and they have three sons, three daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. Sheriff Thompson is a member of First United Methodist Church of Conway.
 
 
Federal Recipient
 
Barry A. Wilson
Special Agent
U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration
 
Special Agent Barry Wilson has worked in law enforcement for more than 24 years. He worked with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Greenville City Police Department before joining the DEA in 1997. He was initially assigned to the DEA Miami Field Division where he worked in a HIDTA Task Force for four years. In 2001, he was transferred to the Florence, SC DEA Office and subsequently transferred to the Columbia, SC District Office in 2005.
 
Special Agent Wilson has been a valuable contributor to the SC OCDETF Program and has worked on several high level Title III wiretap/drug trafficking investigations. He has been the Case Agent for numerous OCDETF Investigations including the 2010 OCDETF Case of the Year for the District of SC–Operation Bitter Orange. This investigation, and the follow-up  OCDETF Investigation, Orange Collision, resulted in the arrest of more than 130 defendants, the seizure of 60 kilograms of cocaine and nearly two million dollars in assets. Special Agent Wilson has built strong relationships with other law enforcement agencies and has assisted on several FBI led OCDETF investigations as well. In 2016, he initiated OCDETF Operation Diga No Mas targeting a large-scale heroin group in Orangeburg, SC. In 2017, he began an assignment with the DEA Tactical Diversion Group (TDS) and initiated an investigation of a Beaufort, SC, based pill press group that was responsible for the nationwide distribution of clandestinely manufactured Schedule II and Schedule IV controlled substances and laundered in excess of eight million dollars using virtual currency. The TDS recently dismantled this operation and thus far, over 50,000 pills and over a million dollars in assets have been seized.
 
Special Agent Wilson is a graduate of the University of SC, is married and has two daughters. He is a DEA Firearms Instructor and has instructed other law enforcement officers on Title III investigations and critical incident response. Special Agent Wilson serves as DEA's Domestic Cannabis Eradication Coordinator for SC and works with SLED and other law enforcement agencies implementing this program. He is a DEA Purple Heart recipient resulting from a gunshot wound he received during the execution of a search warrant in Orangeburg in 2014.
 
 
State Recipient
 
C. Todd Hughey
Major
SC Law Enforcement Division
 
 
Major Todd Hughey currently serves as the Laboratory Director in the Forensic Services Division of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).  Major Hughey received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1986 from Wofford College and his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of South Carolina in 1992.  He performed post-doctoral work at Duke University Medical Center from 1992-1995. 
 
Major Hughey began his career at SLED in 1996 in the Toxicology Department and has served in various departments throughout his 21 years, ultimately rising to the rank of Major. Major Hughey has demonstrated a passion for forensic science throughout his career.  He has held himself and his staff to the highest ethical standards, which has resulted in the advancement of Forensic Services provided to the criminal justice system and citizens of South Carolina.  Under the guidance of Major Hughey, the state forensic laboratory has advanced its capabilities through the use of advanced technology and innovative techniques.  Some of these include:  new technology in Toxicology to assist with detection of novel designer drugs; new technology in Drug Analysis to allow for quantitation of THC in hemp, food and oil products; new technology in crime scene for 3D imaging of scenes; new sampling and analysis techniques of DNA evidence for improved sensitivity and discrimination.  The SLED Forensic Services Laboratory achieved International Accreditation through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB-International) in 2014 under Major Hughey’s guidance.  Major Hughey is recognized nationally as a leader in the field of forensic science.  He serves on numerous national boards and champions ethical, transparent, and unbiased work. 
 
Major Todd Hughey is the unique combination of scientist and law enforcement officer and blends these two fields in a unique way to best serve the citizens of South Carolina.  He has provided excellent  leadership for the SLED Forensic Services Laboratory through his example of integrity, ethics and pursuit of truth through science.   Major Hughey and his wife April have two children. He is an active member and Deacon of Fellowship Baptist Church in Lexington. He is an avid hiker and nature photographer and also enjoys mountain biking and being outdoors

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COLUMBIA, SC –The United States Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA), and the Strom Thurmond Foundation will host a luncheon on Friday, November 3, 2017, for the presentation of the 2017 Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement.  These awards, established in 1983 by Senator Strom Thurmond, are presented annually to a city, county, state, and federal law enforcement officer who has demonstrated the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement.  The awards ceremony will be attended by approximately 150 law enforcement officers from throughout the state.

The 2017 awards luncheon will be held at the Fort Jackson Officers’ Club at Fort Jackson.  Lunch will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the awards program will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m.  The names of award recipients will be announced during the luncheon. 

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Michael Glover, a/k/a “Glove,” a/k/a “G,” a/k/a “HG,” age 47, and Jihad Salahadeen Pollard, age 43, both formerly of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court. Glover and Pollard each plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B). Glover also plead guilty to a money laundering conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h). Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, accepted the pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence investigation reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.   

Glover and Pollard were two of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a series of court-authorized, DEA-monitored wiretaps over several telephones in the Columbia area. The investigation revealed that a group of individuals in the Columbia area were obtaining heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Evidence indicated that the suppliers were initially getting the heroin in packages from India. Several packages destined for Columbia and containing heroin were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. Evidence further showed that the co-defendants later obtained heroin in New York and transported it back to Columbia where it was distributed. The New York heroin suppliers were charged and convicted in the Eastern District of New York for their role in the heroin conspiracy.

Glover and Pollard were fugitives until their arrests this past summer in Texas, where they were residing under false identities. Six of their co-defendants were arrested in 2014 and plead guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and were sentenced in 2015 as follows: Eric Shawn Bradley, a/k/a “E,” age 50, of Columbia, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Kenneth Crawford, age 44, of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Columbia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Charles Bradley, age 35, of Columbia was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release to follow; Anthony Glover, age 43, of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release to follow; Larry Bookman, age 64, of Columbia was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release; and Jessany Lyons, age 27, of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release. Two other co-defendants charged in the indictment remain fugitives and are innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Drake stated that on the drug conspiracy charge, Glover faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $8,000,000, a special assessment of $100, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years in addition to any term of imprisonment. Glover faces an enhanced sentence based upon his two prior felony drug convictions. Glover has North Carolina convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana (1993) and possession with intent to sale/deliver of cocaine (1994). On the money laundering conspiracy charge, Glover faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. On the drug conspiracy charge, Pollard faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment with a maximum of 40 years, a fine of $5,000,000, a special assessment of $100, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to any term of imprisonment

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Justin Dewayne Barr, age 32, of Scranton, SC, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base, and Marijuana.  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.

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on February 28, 2017, a deputy with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle make an improper turn and then proceed through a red light.  The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Upon making contact with the driver of the vehicle, Justin Barr, the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and asked Barr to step out of the vehicle.  After Barr exited the vehicle, Barr ran, and a foot chase ensued.  At one point during the chase, Barr fought with the deputy and turned the deputy’s wrist, turning the taser into the deputy’s inner thigh while it was cycling, causing the deputy to be briefly incapacitated. Barr was taken in custody shortly thereafter. 

A subsequent search of Barr’s person revealed two bags of marijuana and just over $1,000 in cash.  A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of cocaine, a bag of cocaine base, a set of digital scales, and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, loaded with eleven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber.  The evidence presented also established that prior to his possession of the firearm, Barr had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  

Ms. Drake stated the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.

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Anderson, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Kenneth Bearden, age 49, of Anderson, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson to Manufacturing Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 471, and Conspiracy to Pass Counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the guilty plea and will impose the 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 Kenneth Bearden learned how to manufacture counterfeit from Crystal Hudson, a co-defendant who previously pled guilty in the case.  Bearden distributed counterfeit to other co-conspirators to pass and passed it himself around the Upstate.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Bearden could receive is twenty years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 dollars. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson Police Department, Belton Police Department, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department, and South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole Services. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina – U.S. Attorney Beth Drake will join the DEA on October 28th for its 14th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including over 65 locations across South Carolina. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Last April, Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.

Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.

take_back_approved_sites.xls

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Alshura Tabil Annessa Frazier, age 36, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, for sex trafficking of children, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a) (1) and for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, imposed a sentence of 420 months (35 years) imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release and a $5,200 special assessment fee.  Judge Lewis also ordered Frazier to pay the victims restitution totaling $159,500.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the victim in this case was a minor (under the age of eighteen) from North Carolina.  Around Memorial Day in 2015, the victim left her family and met Frazier in Myrtle Beach.  Following this encounter, Frazier and others had sex with the victim in exchange for providing her with the recreational drug “Molly” and shelter for the night.  After leaving Myrtle Beach, Frazier brought the victim to Columbia where Frazier recruited her to perform sexual acts with clients for money.  Frazier transported her to and from North Carolina and South Carolina on multiple occasions for the purpose of prostitution.   Frazier received 100% of the profits made from the prostitution.  The victim was sixteen-years-old at the time she began working as a prostitute for Frazier.  During this time, Frazier knew that the victim was under the age of eighteen.

In addition, on March 18, 2015, after a Richland County deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on a car driven by Frazier, Frazier refused to stop and a chase ensued.  During the chase, Frazier pulled into a parking lot and let a female passenger exit the vehicle.  The female passenger, later identified as a prostitute working for Frazier, ran from the scene carrying a box.  Unable to locate Frazier that day, officers, with the help of citizens, found the female passenger hiding in the woods.  She then led officers to the box that she exited the vehicle with earlier which contained a 10mm Glock pistol, cocaine, crack cocaine, and the  suspected drug, “Molly.”  The female passenger told officers that the box belonged to Frazier and that he gave it to her when he stopped to let her out and told her to run. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springdale Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Grand Rapids, Michigan resident pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, to two child exploitation offenses, including conspiracy to produce child pornography and conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina. 

 

James Thomas Gersky, 33, pleaded guilty two weeks before he was set to go on trial in Charleston, South Carolina. Six other co-defendants had already pleaded guilty.

 

According to court documents, between July 2014 and April 2015, Gersky and his co-conspirators utilized a website that was specifically designed to help the group target and sexually exploit underage girls. The website was password-protected and only vetted individuals could become members. The members of the website worked together to identify social media profiles of girls, including girls younger than 13, and strategized how to convince the girls to engage in sexually explicit activity via live web camera. Typically, Gersky and his co-conspirators streamed pre-recorded videos of other underage girls engaging in similar conduct to their target-victims in an effort to trick the girls into believing they were watching a live video of someone their own age. Using peer-pressure, the members convinced the victims to engage in sexually explicit activity.  The victims were unaware that they were actually communicating with adult men who were recording the sexually explicit activity. After successfully recording a victim’s sexually explicit activity, Gersky and his co-conspirators would share the videos with each other by uploading the file to a file-storage site and placing a link to download the file on a section of their website. To date, 87 victims from 28 states and Canada have been positively identified.

 

Five of the co-conspirators each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to produce child pornography and one count of conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography.  On Aug. 8, Jonathan Cripe, 28, of Imperial, Missouri, pleaded guilty. On Sept. 28,  Sean Ellis, 43, of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Steven Fox, 39, of Elkridge, Maryland, each pleaded guilty. On Oct. 12, Michael Augustin, 44, of Fort Collins, Colorado, pleaded guilty. On Oct. 20, Dejan Becovic, 24, of West Vallen City, Utah, pleaded guilty. Becovic also previously pleaded guilty in Utah to receipt of child pornography, and on Oct. 18, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for the Utah conviction. On Sept. 29, Brandon Gressette, 33, of Summerville, South Carolina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce child pornography, as well as two substantive counts of production of child pornography.  Additionally, another co-conspirator, Jonathan Soto, 27, of Branchburg, New Jersey, was prosecuted in the District of New Jersey and also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce child pornography. On March 31, Soto was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for his role in the scheme.

 

The FBI is investigating the case.  Trial Attorneys Lauren Britsch and Austin M. Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean Secor are prosecuting the case.

 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, 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 to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Nicolas LaShawn Finley, a/k/a “Shy,” a/k/a “Shy Money,” a/k/a “Shakim Karim,” entered a guilty plea in federal court in Greenville to three counts of Possession of a Firearm By a Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) and (9) and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841.  Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, accepted the guilty plea and will impose the sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.  Finley faces up to Life in prison and remains in custody.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea demonstrated that on December 20, 2016, Finley was the passenger in a car that was pulled over by a Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Deputy.  When the deputy requested registration documents, Finley opened the glove compartment, revealing a .40 caliber Taurus handgun.  Finley reached for the glove box which contained the Taurus, but eventually was removed from the car without incident.  When deputies secured the firearm, they found it was missing its magazine.  The magazine, loaded with five bullets, and 2.06 grams of heroin were found on Finley.

On May 10, 2017, deputies executed a search warrant at the Red Roof Inn, Room 131 where Finley was staying.  Officers recovered 9mm ammunition among Finley’s belongings and a 9mm SCCY handgun hidden in the bathroom.  Finley was searched and officers located a .22 caliber bullet in his sock.   Finley is prohibited from carrying firearms because of his prior felony convictions and a prior misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.

Finley’s case was expedited for federal prosecution as part of Operation “Real Time” with ATF Task Force Officers at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen prosecuted the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jamie Edward Cole, age 38, of Gray Court, S.C. entered a guilty plea today in federal court in Greenville, to Manufacturing Counterfeit Currency, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 471.  United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks accepted the guilty plea and will impose the 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 in early 2017, Cole passed counterfeit currency at numerous stores throughout the Upstate, which he manufactured himself.  Many of the illegal passes were captured on the businesses’ video surveillance.  When Cole was arrested, he was found with counterfeit currency on him.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Cole could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 dollars.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service, Anderson Country Sheriff’s Office, Simpsonville Police Department, and Greenville City Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that on October 24, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against the following:   Horry County Man Indicted for Illegal Reentry into the United States After Deportation.   Miguel Pedroza-Naquid, age 27, of Horry County, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal reentry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Pedroza-Naquid faces is a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by the ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.

Florence Man Indicted for Illegal Reentry into the United States After Deportation.   Agustin Rincon-Hipolito, age 33, of Florence, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal reentry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Rincon-Hipolito faces is a  maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00.  The case was investigated by the ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.

Conway Man Indicted for Hobbs Act Armed Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.  Dajon Saleem Gamble, age 26, of Conway, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with Hobbs Act Armed Robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a); felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); and,  possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  Gamble faces a mandatory minimum, consecutive penalty of seven years imprisonment and a maximum of life.  The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, ATF Horry County Task Force, and Myrtle Beach Police.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Alfred W. Bethea, Jr., of the Florence office for prosecution.
 
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017

DEA AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TAKE BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OCTOBER 28

WASHINGTON – This Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and its local law enforcement, community and tribal partners will give the public its 14th opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Individuals can take pills and other solid forms of medication to one of almost 5,000 collection sites manned by more than 4,000 partners nationwide. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.) They can find nearby collection sites at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

“Disposing of leftover painkillers or other addictive medicines in the house is one of the best ways to prevent a member of your family from becoming a victim of the opioid epidemic,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “More people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs than any other substance. The abuse of these prescription drugs has fueled the nation’s opioid epidemic, which has led to the largest rate of overdose deaths this country has ever seen.”  

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.

Last April the public turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills. 

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DEA

Do not reply to this message.  If you have questions, please use the contacts in the message or call the Office of Public Affairs at 202-514-2007.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that John U. Carroll, Ann Carroll, Courtney Carroll, Jay G. Carroll, Mary C. Carroll, Mary Rita Carroll, Ralph Carroll, Mary Gorman, Tina Gorman, Thomas Martin Mack, Rachel McNally, Billy O'Hara, Jim O'Hara, Winnie O'Hara, Hugh Riley, Melissa Riley, Tracy Riley, Betty Sherlock, M. Lisa Carroll Sherlock, Michael P. Sherlock, Patricia Sherlock, Patrick Sherlock, Sandra Sherlock, and Ann F. Sherlock, all of North Augusta, South Carolina, have entered guilty pleas in federal court in Columbia, to Criminal Conspiracy, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentences after she has reviewed the presentence reports prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the defendants and others agreed to commit an array of criminal activities to make money and further this criminal conspiracy. This conspiracy includes both residents of an insular group in North Augusta, S.C., and outsiders. The insular group self describes themselves as travelers, live in a defined geographic location, have unique language and traditions, and are funded largely by the illegal activities. The travelers and certain outsiders —like car salesmen, insurance agents, and tax preparers – agreed to commit various types of crimes that included mail and wire fraud related to insurance applications, loan applications, and government benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and tax refunds. Additionally, certain individuals participated in the interstate transportation of stolen items. Moreover, money that came into the conspiracy as a result of these criminal activities was laundered and structured to avoid reporting requirements.

U.S. Attorney Drake, in commending the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, added, “Over the past three years, agents from numerous local, state, and federal agencies worked together to conduct a joint investigation into this criminal enterprise in North Augusta. Today, twenty-four people accepted responsibility in federal court for their respective roles in this conspiracy. With today’s round of guilty pleas, that brings the total to approximately fifty people held accountable to date. This investigation and subsequent convictions should serve as both a reminder and notice to all that if you commit fraud, you will be brought to justice.”   Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, IRS Criminal Investigations, the USDA Office of Inspector General-Investigations, the Postal Inspector’s Office, the South Carolina Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit, the Second Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Department of Social Services.  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 today that Daewon Warren, age 27, of Summerville, was convicted in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Sex Trafficking of a Minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591 and seven other charges related to sex trafficking.  U.S. Attorney Drake stated that Warren faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and maximum of life imprisonment.  United States District Judge David C. Norton, of Charleston, presided over the trial and will impose sentence at a later date. Warren remains in custody.

Evidence presented at trial proved that Warren and his co-defendant, Monique Lewis, participated in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.  The defendants coerced several young women, including one minor, into working as prostitutes.  The evidence showed that Warren routinely assaulted the victims and withheld food from them to coerce them into engaging in commercial sex acts.  Evidence also showed the defendants used the website Backpage.com to advertise sexual services throughout the Southeast.  Lewis pled guilty prior to the trial of Warren.

“The pimps who run girls and young women for their own profit are preying on some of our most vulnerable.  The City of North Charleston’s Human Trafficking Unit and ICE - Homeland Security Investigations did some great work investigating this case.  It is the second conviction of human traffickers working out of North Charleston by trial in federal court in the last 8 months. Between the two cases, 12 human traffickers have been successfully prosecuted through the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and these agencies,” added U.S. Attorney Drake.

The case was investigated by agents from the North Charleston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit and ICE - Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Austin and Nathan Williams of the Charleston office prosecuted the case. 

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Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Edwin M. Jenkins, Jr., age 30, of Bluffton, South Carolina was charged in a 7-count superseding indictment with two counts of distribution of heroin, one count of distribution of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, one count of a mixture of heroin and furanyl fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of a mixture of furanyl fentanyl and U-47700 resulting in death, all violations of Title 21, U. S. C. Sections 841.  The maximum penalty Jenkins could receive is life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. 

US Attorney Drake said, “Those who are dealing in heroin and opioids should know that we will use the full array of our enforcement tools to reduce the supply of these deadly narcotics here in our communities in South Carolina.  Some great policing as a result of an extraordinary level of collaboration between federal and local law enforcement brought forth the evidence we needed to file these charges.”

“The FBI is thoroughly engaged in fighting this epidemic.  We are proud to work these matters with our law enforcement partners like the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bluffton Police Department and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.  Together with the help of our communities, we can turn the tide,” said Alphonso “Jody” Norris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in South Carolina.  Bluffton Police Department Chief Joseph Manning added, “The agencies’ cooperation during this investigation was vital in bringing the charge before the court and hopefully lends some comfort to at least one family who has lost a loved one.  We will continue to actively pursue offenders who poison our community.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bluffton Police Department and the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston 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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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Clinton Kent French, age 32, of Lexington, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Additionally, French entered a guilty plea to Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).  United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report that will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that French was arrested on June 24, 2017 at the Roadway Inn Hotel in Lexington County.  After arresting French, Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on the room and located 135 grams of crystal methamphetamine packaged in five separate baggies for resale.  Agents also located a Springfield XDS, 9-millimeter firearm loaded with 11 rounds in the room. French admitted to possessing the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking.  French has multiple prior felony drug convictions which qualify him as both a "career offender" under the United States Sentencing Guidelines as well as an “armed career criminal" pursuant to Title 18, U.S.C. § 924(e).  As a result of his guilty plea to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and felon in possession of a firearm, French faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years with a maximum possible sentence of life without parole.

The case was investigated by agents of the ATF and Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

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COLUMBIA, South Carolina ------- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that members of the United States Attorney’s Office and their local, state, and federal law enforcement partners began visiting schools across South Carolina, to meet with students and conduct presentations as a part of South Carolina’s 16th Annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. 

With a focus on keeping their schools and communities safe, students in middle school and high school are signing a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes.  Elementary school children are making a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded, and they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult.       

The effort is part of South Carolina’s Project CeaseFire, which is South Carolina’s implementation of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, aimed at reducing gun violence.  The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence.  This campaign against youth gun violence culminates each October in a “Day of National Concern About Young People and Gun Violence.” The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence.  Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part.  Over the years, millions of students nationwide have signed the pledge. 

The campaign encourages important conversation among young people about gun safety and respectful ways to resolve disputes.  With more than 10,000 students from schools across the state agreeing to take part, the National Day of Concern provides an opportunity for teachers, counselors, and community leaders to connect with South Carolina students about gun violence and the importance of respect and making good decisions.

The U.S. Attorney's Office worked with schools, student resource officers, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state to make the pledges available, providing the pledges to participating schools as well as scheduling presentations for the schools that requested speakers.  For additional information concerning the pledge, visit the national Student Pledge website at www.pledge.org.

 

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

Newberry Man Indicted on Federal Firearm Charge.  Maleik Houseal, age 22, of Newberry, was charged in a 1-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The charge carries a maximum of ten (1) years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbia Police Department 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.

West Columbia Man Indicted on Federal Drug and Weapon Charges.  Bryshun Genard Furlow, age 34, of West Columbia, was charged in a 6-count superseding indictment with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine (3 counts), possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, using/possessing firearms during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c). Each drug charges carries a maximum of thirty (30) years’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least six (6) years. The felon in possession charge carries a maximum of ten (10) years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The use/possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum five (5) year imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department 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.

Georgia Man Indicted for Bringing Bankruptcy Scheme to South Carolina.  Nathaniel Florin Noble, a/k/a “Florin David Olaru,” age 50, was charged today in a three-count indictment with bankruptcy fraud, false bankruptcy declarations, and contempt of court, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 152, 157, and 401. According to the indictment, Noble filed a 2017 bankruptcy petition, in which he made false representations. Noble’s bankruptcy petition also failed to comply with a previous order issued by the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court, in which the court ordered Noble not to file for bankruptcy for a five-year period.

If convicted of bankruptcy fraud, Noble faces a maximum sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by the Office of the United States Trustee and the Internal Revenue Service, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson 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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Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:

Beaufort Man Indicted on Firearm and Drug Charges. J Dorian M. Allen, age 33, of Beaufort County, was charged in a 3-count indictment with Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, a violation of Title 21, U. S. C. §841(a)(1), Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §924(c)(1)(A)(i), and Felon in Possession of Firearm or Ammunition, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Allen could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000,000,.  The case was investigated by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is assigned to Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Two Indicted for Making and Passing Counterfeit Currency.  Bryan Lambert, age 30, and Kayla Nichols, age 25, both of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were charged in a 4-count Indictment with Making and Passing Counterfeit Currency, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 471 and 472.  The maximum penalty that Lambert and Nichols could receive is 20 years imprisonment.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and the Moncks Corner Police Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.

Andrews Woman Indicted for Theft of Government Property.  Denise Mack, age 54, of Andrews, South Carolina, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Theft of Government Property, a violation of 18 U. S. C. § 641.  The maximum penalty that Mack could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston 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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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jamey O. Green, a/k/a “Hog”, age 42, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia sentenced Green to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in federal prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that after receiving complaints from citizens, members of the Columbia Police Department (CPD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into drug distribution in the Martin Luther King Park area of Columbia.  On five separate dates between May and September of 2014, agents made undercover crack cocaine purchases from Green. 

Earlier this year, Green pled guilty in federal court to one of those distributions, a sale of crack cocaine he made to an undercover officer on July 30, 2014.   On this date, the undercover officer met Green at a home in the area to purchase an ounce of crack cocaine.   Green agreed and walked to the rear of the residence to retrieve the crack cocaine.  When he returned, Green sold the officer approximately an ounce of crack cocaine for $1100.

The case was investigated by officers and agents of the City of Columbia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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WASHINGTON – An indictment was unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina charging Bobby Paul Edwards, 52, of Conway, S.C., with one count of forced labor, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John M. Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina.

According to the indictment, over a five-year period, between September 2009 and October 2014, Edwards used force, threats of force, physical restraint, and coercion, among other means, to compel the victim, who has an intellectual disability, to work as the buffet cook of J&J Cafeteria in Conway, South Carolina. Edwards managed the restaurant at the time alleged incidents. 

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of forced labor, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and mandatory restitution.

The case is being investigated by FBI’s Myrtle Beach Resident Agency.  It is being prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Jared Fishman and Trial Attorney Lindsey Roberson of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyssa Richardson of the District of South Carolina.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the following Cherokee County residents, all previously convicted on federal methamphetamine conspiracy charges, were sentenced in federal court to the following terms of imprisonment:

• Zactrick Michael Jefferies, age 29, sentenced to 236 months imprisonment
• James Lasamuel Humphries, age 24, sentenced to 30 months imprisonment
• Brianna Allison Jones, age 22, sentenced to 48 months imprisonment
• Katherine Elizabeth Williams, age 28, sentenced to 70 months imprisonment
• Crystal Dawn Osborne, age 38, sentenced to 27 months imprisonment
• Andrell Lopez, age 25, sentenced to 36 months imprisonment

Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville imposed the sentences on October 10, 2017.  Also charged in the conspiracy and awaiting sentencing are co-defendants Everette De’Angelo Dawkins and Richard Stewart Hawkins.

At an earlier guilty plea hearing, Assistant U. S. Attorney Jeanne Howard established that after his release from federal prison in February 2015, Everette De’Angelo Dawkins began conspiring with other codefendants to distribute up to 45 kilograms of methamphetamine in the upstate.  A number of seizures of methamphetamine occurred during the time of the conspiracy including one in September, 2015, during which the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and seized approximately 662 grams of methamphetamine from Zactrick Jefferies.  Following a car stop in January 2016, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office seized 520 grams of methamphetamine from James Humphries.  In December 2016, Zactrick Jefferies was arrested with another kilogram of methamphetamine.   Andrell Lopez was arrested by the South Carolina Highway Patrol after a car stop where 583 grams of methamphetamine and 9 pounds of marijuana were seized.    

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshal’s Service Task Force, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, SLED and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ryan L. Childs, age 29, of West Columbia, was sentenced in Columbia to 66 months imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. On June 7, 2017, Childs entered a guilty plea in federal court to one count of Possession with intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and one count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed the sentence. 

The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that, on October 27, 2016, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department officers executed an outstanding General Sessions Bench Warrant for Mr. Childs at a residence in Lexington County.  As officers approached the residence, they saw Childs reach into his waistband, remove an item and place it in the passenger side of a vehicle.  Officers located a Glock Model 19, 9mm handgun containing 11 rounds of ammunition  and a bag of methamphetamine under the front passenger seat. 

The case was investigated by agents with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Bureau of Alchohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Nancy Wicker of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Stacy B. Middleton, age 47, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, on two felony counts of Willfully Preparing and Filing a False Income Tax Return, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 7206(2). Senior United States District Court Judge Patrick Michael Duffy sentenced Middleton to 41 months imprisonment and 1 year of supervised release. 

According to court documents and in statements made during court hearings, Middleton owned and operated a tax preparation business in Charleston named MBM Tax & Accounting Services, LLC (“MBM”).  For calendar years 2009, 2010, and 2011, Middleton prepared and electronically filed over 1,300 false and fraudulent income tax returns for his clients without their knowledge in order to increase their refunds. The income tax returns contained overstated, duplicated or fictitious deductions, fictitious Schedules C to maximize Earned Income Tax Credits, fabricated expenses for Schedules A, C and E, fraudulent refundable credits, and fictitious Forms 1099. Middleton admitted that his scheme caused a tax loss of $3,500,000.

Ms. Drake stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston Office prosecuted the case.       

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez  was sentenced, in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-entry by a Previously Deported Alien, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs sentenced Alvarenga-Rodriguez to 4 months imprisonment and a $100.00 special assessment.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Alvarenga-Rodriguez is a citizen of Honduras and had previously been deported three times before illegally re-entering the United States again. He was arrested by a Kershaw County Deputy Sheriff for unrelated charges and Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations was notified.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations and the Kershaw County Sherriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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