District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Preston Alexander Elmore, age 35, of Bishopville, pled guilty in federal court in Columbia to Theft of Government Money, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 641.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will sentence him at a later date. 

Elmore received farm loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency office in Bishopville in 2012.  The loans were to be used to purchase a tractor, a combine, grain heads, an irrigation system, a generator, and to dig a well. 

On April 2, 2012, Elmore requested $19,800 from the USDA for the purchase of farm equipment.  Specifically, he planned to purchase two John Deere tractors, a John Deere grain head implement, and a John Deere corn head implement from his parents.  He did not use the loan money to make these purchases.

On June 27, 2012, Elmore was loaned $59,900 for the remainder of money owed to Palmetto Irrigation for a generator and irrigation system.  None of the money went to pay for these items.  Instead, the money went to Elmore’s account, and he used it for his own purposes.

Elmore defaulted on both loans.  Furthermore, Elmore damaged, destroyed, removed, or sold the collateral for the irrigation system and the generator. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty faced by Elmore is imprisonment for ten years and a fine of $250,000.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Thomas E. Brandon presented the ATF Honor Award to Assistant US Attorney Jamie Schoen, Assistant US Attorney Max Cauthen, and First Assistant US Attorney Lance Crick for their collective and ongoing efforts to partner with local, state, and federal law enforcement to secure communities through the expedited federal arrest, detention, and prosecution of violent, repeat gun offenders in upstate South Carolina, an initiative known as “Operation Real Time.”  The awards were presented at the 21st Annual ATF Awards Ceremony yesterday at ATF National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.   United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions was the featured speaker for the event and NBC News Justice Department Correspondent Pete Williams presented the awards.

The ATF Honor Award is given to a select few non-ATF government officials who have significantly contributed to ATF’s overall mission through long-standing support and cooperation.  Operation Real Time, created by Crick in concert with the Greenville Police Department and ATF/Greenville in August 2015, hinges on constant communication between all levels of law enforcement and state and federal prosecutors, to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the upstate community. 

Working together, this collaborative partnership has been able to identify violent felons with firearms in “real time,” swiftly arrest those individuals on federal charges, and seek detention pending trial or plea--effectively removing armed repeat offenders from the community from point of local arrest. Since its inception, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 125 defendants and the seizure of over 160 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons in the upstate. Based on the success of the program, the Real Time model is now being launched in other counties and cities across the state.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the work of Schoen, Cauthen, and Crick in praising the Real Time partnership. “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs, sheriffs, and solicitors in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

Pictured above, from left:  NBC Correspondent Pete Williams, Acting ATF Director Thomas E. Brandon, First Assistant US Attorney Lance Crick, Assistant US Attorney Jamie Schoen, Assistant US Attorney Max Cauthen, and Associate Deputy Director Ronald D. Turk.

Columbia, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that a hearing for Brandon Michael Council, age 32, of Wilson, North Carolina, has been set for Thursday afternoon, August 24, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. in the federal courthouse in Greenville, North Carolina, 216 S. Evans St.

Council has been charged in a criminal complaint with Armed Bank Robbery with a Deadly weapon Resulting in Death and with Use, Carry, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. 

The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Conway Police Department,  South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Horry County Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office,  Myrtle Beach Police Department, Wilson North Carolina Police Department, Greenville North Carolina Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the United States Marshal’s Service. 

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

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Michael D. Quattlebaum, age 45, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, in violation of  Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Quattlebaum to 68 months imprisonment with 3 years of federal supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on April 17, 2016, Quattlebaum attempted to allude officers of the Columbia Police Department during a routine traffic stop. Evidence showed that Quattlebaum left his vehicle and led officers on a foot chase. During the foot chase, officers observed Quattlebaum opening large packages of cocaine and attempting to get rid of the controlled substance. Officers eventually apprehended Quattlebaum and discovered a quantity of cocaine on his person. From the vehicle, officers also recovered a firearm, a Walther PPX, 9mm pistol, ammunition, and various drug paraphernalia, which all belonged to Quattlebaum.  Quattlebaum is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior state convictions and adjudications for pointing and presenting a firearm and assault and battery.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Columbia 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 Alyssa L. Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jacquel Sumter, age 23, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, after pleading guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis, of Columbia, sentenced Sumter to 85 months incarceration, followed by three years of supervised release. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that on January 21, 2017, Deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office observed a blue Honda CRV traveling at approximately 105 miles per hour near mile marker 100 on Interstate 20 in Kershaw County.  When Deputies initiated their blue lights and sirens, the driver, later identified as Sumter, accelerated and attempted to flee. The chase continued for approximately 10 minutes with Sumter weaving in and out of traffic at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.  After Sumter entered Richland County, he began to slow down and drift towards a barrier wall on Interstate 20.  As the vehicle slowed, Sumter and the other four occupants of the vehicle jumped out and attempted to run into the wood line. After a short foot chase and a brief resistance, Deputies detained Sumter. 

When Deputies searched the CRV they located a fully automatic Intratec Model Tec 9, nine millimeter pistol with an obliterated serial number between the driver’s seat and center console. The firearm was loaded with 14 rounds of nine millimeter CBC ammunition.  A records check for Sumter revealed he was convicted of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature on December 13, 2016. This offense carries a term of imprisonment exceeding one year and prohibited Sumter from possessing firearms and ammunition. According to Sumter’s rap sheet he is a known documented Bloods Gang member.

Following Sumter’s arrest, he was placed in a Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle and advised of his Miranda rights. After Sumter waived his rights, he agreed to talk and indicated he jumped out and ran when he saw the blue lights. He claimed he was sleeping during the police chase and did not know who was driving the vehicle. Deputies determined that the CRV was stolen out of Richland County and while searching the vehicle Deputies also found various electronics, a safe, burglary tools, and male clothing (a pair of red and black pants).

During the sentencing hearing, AUSA J.D. Rowell noted that Sumter had been arrested and convicted of various crimes a total of 13 times between 2004 and 2017.  Despite numerous state arrests for charges including burglary, simple assault and battery, disturbing schools, possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed weapon, petit larceny, trespassing, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN), Sumter has never served a significant custodial sentence.  On December 13, 2016, Sumter pled guilty to ABHAN in Richland County General Sessions Court and received a sentence of 15 months imprisonment with credit for time served. Thirty-nine (39) days after being sentenced to state prison, he fled from Kershaw County Deputies in a high-speed chase at speeds of over 120 mph, while armed with a fully automatic Tech 9 assault pistol.

As part of their investigation, ATF Agents searched Sumter’s public Facebook page and found numerous photographs of Sumter possessing firearms.  At the time of his arrest, Sumter’s profile picture depicted Sumter wearing a mask, holding the Tech 9 assault pistol, and wearing the same red pants that were located in the back of the stolen CRV he was driving on January 21, 2017.
 

Other photographs presented at sentencing show Sumter possessing numerous firearms including some while appearing to use marijuana.
 

 

The case was investigated by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia Police Department, and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Urban Oshea, II, age 48, of Florence, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Counterfeit Securities, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell sentenced Oshea to 15 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release. Oshea was also ordered to pay over $31,000 in restitution to victims of the fraud. 

The evidence presented the guilty plea hearing established that during the period from August 2015 through January of 2016, Oshea and others were involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit securities (checks) of organizations.

The co-conspirators would make counterfeit checks using genuine bank account and routing numbers they obtained from checks they stole out of mailboxes in Horry and Georgetown Counties.

The defendant would then use fraudulent driver's licenses bearing his photograph but in other persons' names which matched the names on the counterfeit checks, to pass these counterfeit checks at various businesses.

The defendant would use the checks to purchase merchandise at one store, then he would go to another store in the same chain and exchange the merchandise for cash.

The case was investigated by officers of the Horry County Police Department and agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David Jerome Butler, age 43, of Simpsonville, pled guilty this week in federal court in Greenville to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted the plea and will impose sentence after United States Probation prepares a pre-sentence report. Butler faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that On May 5, 2017, at approximately 5:43 a.m., the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) received a call for service regarding an active shooter at Yanfeng Global Automotive Interiors in Fountain Inn, South Carolina.  LCSO deputies and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded to the scene and successfully secured the premises.  The alleged shooter, identified as David Jerome Butler, had already fled the scene and one victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

Initial scene investigation, including victim and witness interviews, revealed that earlier in the morning while inside the building, Butler and a co-worker had gotten into an argument over a work situation that escalated into a physical confrontation.  Butler then left the building and retrieved a handgun from his vehicle in the parking lot.  Butler re-entered the building and confronted the co-worker on the plant floor.  Butler pointed a Beretta 9mm pistol at the co-worker and fired a round that hit the floor and injured another worker.  The co-worker, assisted by two other workers, fought Butler and took the gun away from him.  Butler then fled the scene in his vehicle. ATF obtained a federal arrest warrant that same morning and arrested Butler upon his self-surrender to local authorities days later.  He was detained upon his arrest and remains in custody.  Butler, who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a maximum of ten years in federal prison. 

Butler’s case was expedited for federal prosecution pursuant to “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.  “Real Time” is a working collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement as well as state and federal prosecutors.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 120 defendants and seizure of over 160 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons in the upstate.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between local, state, and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case. First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Dennis Earl Byrd, age 35, of Union, South Carolina, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g).  United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Greenville, sentenced Byrd on August 16, 2017.

At an earlier guilty plea hearing, Assistant U. S. Attorney Jeanne Howard, established that on August 25, 2015, Byrd was arrested after an altercation with Union Police Officers while they were responding to a disturbance call.  Byrd was found in possession of a loaded .32 caliber revolver.  Because of his prior criminal history including three prior convictions for distribution of crack cocaine and a conviction for lynching, 2nd degree, Byrd is considered an armed career criminal and subject to a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years.   

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Union Police Department, and the Union 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 Jeremey Dewayne Faulk, 30, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Faulk to 84 months in prison followed by a three-year term of supervised released.

Evidence presented at the change of plea on November 29, 2016, and the sentencing hearing, established that on February 7, 2016, officers with the Horry County Police Department initiated a traffic stop in Longs, South Carolina, on a vehicle driven by Faulk. A subsequent search of the vehicle, led to the seizure of a .380 caliber pistol, 71 rounds of ammunition and a small amount of marijuana. Faulk later admitted that the firearm was his. Faulk was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to previous felony convictions. 

The case was investigated by ATF and the Horry County Police Department. 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 today that Emmanuel Lamar Bellamy, age 28, of Loris, was sentenced in Florence to 108 months imprisonment followed by a three-year term of supervised release. On April 18, 2017, Bellamy entered a guilty plea in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of marijuana, cocaine, cocaine base and oxycodone. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell imposed the sentence. 

The evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that members of ATF and the Horry County Police Department were investigating illegal drug activity in the Loris, South Carolina area. As part of that investigation, agents made two controlled buys of cocaine base from Bellamy in October and November 2015.

On September 7, 2016, agents were investigating information that Bellamy and others were using a hotel in Loris for illegal drug activity. Agents set up surveillance on the hotel and observed Bellamy entering and leaving the hotel. Agents stopped Bellamy as he drove away from the hotel. After the initial stop, Bellamy fled the scene in his vehicle and led agents on a brief chase before his vehicle struck another vehicle ending the pursuit. At that point, a passenger in Bellamy’s vehicle jumped out of vehicle and fled the scene but was apprehended. Bellamy and the passenger were arrested. Officers searched Bellamy and found over $3,000 in cash on him. Police also searched the vehicle and found marijuana and oxycodone pills. A firearm and drugs were also found near where the passenger was apprehended.  Agents also found Bellamy in possession of a room key to the hotel. Agents obtained a search warrant for the hotel room and located nearly 800 grams of cocaine, 78 grams of cocaine base, $80,000 in cash, two handguns and more oxycodone pills.

The case was investigated by agents with ATF and the Horry County Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Chris Taylor of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Clayton A. Norfleet, age 55, of West Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Possession of Child Pornography Involving a Prepubescent Minor, a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2).  Senior United States District Judge Patrick Michael Duffy, of Charleston, sentenced Norfleet to 4 years of prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 22, 2015, a Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Security Operations Center analyst discovered a computer user onboard NOAA ship Ron Brown, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), connected to an internet relay chat (IRC) website. The website allows users to chat online as well as upload and download images. The website is notorious for a prevalence of child pornographic images and is frequented by pedophiles. The analyst also discovered log files that indicated that the user’s web traffic and website contained entries related to child pornography and pedophilia. Further investigation revealed that the defendant, Clayton A. Norfleet, Electronics Technician, NOAA, OMAO was the user that accessed the IRC website using a government computer while on board the NOAA Ship Ron Brown. 

When this incident occurred on March 22, 2015, the NOAA Ship Ron Brown was in the Pacific Ocean and scheduled to arrive in port at Ford Island, Hawaii on May 13, 2015. On May 13, 2015, NOAA, Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) agents seized the government computer assigned to Norfleet, from the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, which was docked at Ford Island, Hawaii.

A forensic analysis of the government computer indicated that Norfleet logged in using the “Administrator” account and viewed child pornography. Some of the images and videos were stored in the thumb cache. Furthermore, link files associated with child pornography were located on the computer. Forensic analysis also showed Norfleet was utilizing portable web browsers operated from external drives that do not cache any internet history or browser files to the local computer.

On July 14, 2014, DOC-Office of Inspector General (DOC-OIG) agents interviewed Norfleet at NOAA Port Office, located in Charleston. Norfleet admitted that he used the government computer while aboard NOAA Ship Ron Brown to view child pornography on the IRC website, and he admitted he ran portable web browsers from a removable thumb drive. Norfleet then turned over a thumb drive containing child pornography to the agents.

Norfleet also told agents that he had a personal desktop computer at his residence in West Columbia, South Carolina that contained evidence of child pornographic material. Norfleet indicated that he did not have any data stored on his computer but that agents would find “links” to child pornographic material on his computer. Agents then traveled to Norfleet’s residence and seized his personal desktop computer.

DOC-OIG agents conducted digital data analysis on the personal thumb drive and personal desktop computer owned and used by Norfleet. The results revealed 62 child pornography images and 23 child pornography videos, including images and videos involving prepubescent minors.

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Commerce-Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

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

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United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned a multiple-count indictment in connection with a drug-related murder in Aiken:

Antonio  Miller, age 38, of Columbia, South Carolina was charged in a three-count indictment with use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking causing death (a violation of 18 U. S. C. §924(j)); kidnapping resulting in death (a violation of 18 U. S. C. §1201); and drug conspiracy resulting in death (a violation of 21 U. S. C. §846).  Miller could receive life without the possibility of parole on each of these charges. 

The indictment alleges that on September 15, 2008, Miller kidnapped and restrained the victim Fred Tucker, binding his hands and feet and torturing him with a hot screwdriver. After so torturing Tucker, Miller maliciously killed Tucker by shooting him in the chest. The indictment also alleges that Miller and others conspired to distribute crack cocaine and, while engaged in this conspiracy, Miller intentionally killed Tucker.

Miller will be arraigned on the indictment by the Honorable Shiva V. Hodges, United States Magistrate Judge on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm at the Mathew J. Perry Federal Courthouse located at 901 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina.

The case was investigated by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff's Office, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Aiken Department of Public Safety, North Augusta Department of Public Safety, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys JD Rowell and Jay N. Richardson of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

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 Elijah Muhammad Davis-Barton, age 23, of Anderson, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted the plea and will impose sentence after United States Probation prepares a pre-sentence report. Davis-Barton faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 28, 2017, a deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Davis-Barton. During the stop, after Davis-Barton told law enforcement that there was a firearm in the center console of the vehicle, ACSO recovered a loaded Lorcin .380 caliber pistol with an unidentifiable serial number from the center console. Davis-Barton, prior to his possession of the loaded pistol, had previously been convicted of crimes prohibiting him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Davis-Barton’s case was expedited for federal prosecution pursuant to “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.  In addition to ACSO and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, , the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 120 defendants and seizure of over 160 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office along with the ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case.
 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Tyler Scott Gurley, age 26, of Anderson, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville to felon in possession of a firearm.  United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted the plea and will impose sentence after United States Probation prepares a pre-sentence report. Gurley faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on January 11, 2017, a deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Gurley. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a Glock 9mm caliber pistol along with a clear, crystal like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Gurley told ACSO that the suspected methamphetamine and the pistol belonged to him.

Gurley was arrested federally as part of “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.  In addition to ACSO and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of over 120 defendants and seizure of over 160 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jake Rupert, age 33, of Lexington, plead guilty in federal court 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, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established on 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 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 in the area where Rupert had been sitting. Rupert admitted to recently being released from state prison 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 later 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.   
Rupert 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. Rupert faces maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number charge

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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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Eric Hughes, 35, of Bluffton, South Carolina; Taylor Place, 23, of Bluffton, South Carolina; and Willie Rice, 25, of Bluffton, South Carolina were charged in a five-count indictment, alleging conspiracy to: a.) distribute U-47700; b.) to distribute Alprazolam, c.) rent property to manufacture counterfeit pills, and d.) manufacturing a controlled substance with reckless disregard for human life, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, 846.

Hughes and Place are also charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, a violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h); and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).   Additionally, Place is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g).  Hughes and Place face a maximum of life in prison while Rice faces a maximum penalty of up to twenty years.

The case was investigated by agents of the DEA in South Carolina and Georgia.  Assistant United States Attorney Jim May is assigned to prosecute the case.

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

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Janna B. Shelby, age 54, of Easley, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Shelby worked for McLaughlin Manufacturing as an accounts payable specialist in Greenville, South Carolina.  Shelby devised a scheme and artifice to defraud whereby she would submit requests for payment to McLaughlin Manufacturing for personal bills that she disguised to appear to be requests for payment from legitimate vendors. Shelby would cause McLaughlin Manufacturing to cut and mail checks to creditors of Shelby.  She also misused the company credit card to order expensive items that were shipped to her home.  Law enforcement estimates that Shelby stole over $400,000 from her employer.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Shelby can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for no more than 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100. 

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

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Columbia, South Carolina-------United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that a hearing for Theodore Vitaliy Khleborod, age 28, and Ana Milena Barrero, age 24, has been set for Thursday morning, August 17, 2017, at 10:00 A.M. in the federal courthouse in Greenville.  Khleborod and Barrero have been charged in a multi-count, superseding indictment with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute numerous drugs, including fentanyl and U-47700. 

The case was investigated by Special Agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Police Department, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.  

Assistant United States Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Criminal Chief for the Narcotics Division, is prosecuting the case.

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

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Scott Linnell, age 36, of Greer, was sentenced today in Greenville for possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.    United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Linnell to 82 months in the Bureau of Prisons and ordered that he be under lifetime supervision.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 10, 2015, an undercover law enforcement officer signed into the undercover Kik user account in order to conduct child exploitation investigations on the Kik Messenger application.  On that same day, the undercover agent saw that user “phx_medic” had posted sexually explicit material in the Kik Messenger chat room “#lolitalovers” on March 8, 2015.  At this time, the undercover agent observed that user “phx_medic” had posted fourteen images into the Kik chat room.  The undercover agent was able to download and save these images to an undercover device.  The IP address was logged. 

In a second, unrelated undercover investigation, an individual at the same IP address was found to be trading child pornography and engaging in sexually explicit chats on a web forum used by individuals interested in sexual contact with children.

Based on these incidents, further investigation traced the IP address involved in the illicit activity to Linnell’s home.  On May 27, 2015, a federal search warrant was executed at the home. Computers and other devices were seized.  A forensic examination of the devices seized revealed 8,906 images of child pornography. Of these images, 773 were of infants and toddlers.  Ninety of these images were sadistic, masochistic, or violent.

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

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

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Mary Mooney, age 58, of Mooresville, North Carolina; James Harding, age 57, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Alisa Bivens, age 36, of Gastonia, North Carolina were sentenced last week in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina.  Mooney was sentenced for Accreditation Fraud regarding adoption conducted in Kazakhstan, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 14944, and Harding and Bivens were sentenced for conspiring to defraud the United States in connection with adoptions conducted in Ethiopia, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.

United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Mary Mooney to 18 months incarceration, 3 years of supervised release, and $223,946.04 of restitution to victims who adopted children from Kazakhstan.  James Harding was sentenced to 12 months incarceration, 3 years supervised release, and $301,224.25 of restitution.  Alisa Bivens, was sentenced to one year probation, and $31,800 restitution to two victims listed in the Indictment with whom she had direct contact.

Evidence presented at James Harding and Alisa Bivens guilty pleas and sentencings established that they and Mary Mooney on behalf of IAG submitted fraudulent documents to the U.S. Department of State to facilitate adoptions of Ethiopian children by U.S. parents from 2006 until 2009. In support of U.S. visa applications for the Ethiopian children, they submitted false documentation, including contracts of adoption signed by orphanages that could not properly give the children up for adoption because, for example, the child in question was never cared for or never resided at the orphanage.  Harding and Bivens admitted to a scheme conducted with Mooney to pay bribes to two Ethiopian officials, a teacher at a government school, and a head of a regional ministry for women’s and children’s affairs, to facilitate the fraudulent adoptions.  Both Harding and Bivens pled guilty and cooperated, providing substantial assistance to the Government.

Evidence presented at Mooney’s hearings established that she made false statements to the Council on Accreditation (COA), which granted IAG accreditation to provide adoption services.  IAG marketed itself as a COA-accredited adoption services provider and numerous clients relied on IAG’s accreditation to confirm IAG’s adoption services were ethical and in compliance with the law.  Mooney admitted in support of IAG’s application for accreditation she made several false representations, including: falsely stating that IAG was in substantial compliance with the relevant regulations; intentionally failing to list her co-defendant, Alisa Bivens, as one of IAG’s employees providing adoption services; and intentionally failing to disclose that James Harding, another co-defendant, was the functional director and head of the company.  All of these false and fraudulent statements were material to COA’s decision to accredit IAG to conduct intercountry adoptions. 

“The defendants undermined the laws and regulations designed to ensure the integrity of the inter-country adoption process.  The Diplomatic Security Service conducted an excellent investigation to uncover the scheme to profit from fraudulently securing the adoption of children, some of the most vulnerable victims in society,” stated United States Attorney Beth Drake. 

"This sentencing makes a strong statement to those who would attempt to exploit the most vulnerable among us.  The Diplomatic Security Service is dedicated to ensuring those who commit these crimes are brought to justice,” said Christian J. Schurman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Programs at the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “Our global presence allows DSS to work with both U.S. and foreign law enforcement to stop those who would profit from illicit schemes like fraudulent adoption.” 

The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the District of South Carolina and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Derek Ettinger handled the sentencings in this case.

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WASHINGTON – An associate of the Wildboys gang was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder for his role in a gang-related shooting.
 
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 made the announcement.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Joshua Edward Manigault, aka “J-Rizzle” or “Rizzle Back,” 31, of Green Pond, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison. 
 
According to admissions made in connection with his plea agreement, Manigault was an associate of the Wildboys, a violent street gang from the Green Pond area of Walterboro, S. C., with members operating in various cities in South Carolina, including Summerville and Walterboro  As part of his plea, Manigault admitted that Wildboys gang members committed a wide range of violent criminal activities, including robberies, attempted murder, and narcotics trafficking. 
 
Further, in connection with his guilty plea, Manigault admitted his involvement in an April 7, 2015 drive-by shooting in Walterboro, during which Manigault and others fired multiple shots into a home believed to be occupied by members of a rival gang.  Manigault admitted that as a result of this shooting, an individual inside the home was struck by gunfire and sustained serious bodily injury.
 
As part of the sentence, the court ordered Manigault to serve a term of three years of supervised release and to pay the costs of medical care for the victim of the April 7, 2015, shooting.
 
Three other members or associates of the Wildboys also charged in the indictment, Damien Robinson, 21, and Brian Manigo, 25, both of Green Pond, S.C.; and Kelvin Mitchell, 30, of Ruffin, S.C., were sentenced on June 2, 2017, after pleading to related charges.  On June 29, 2017, a jury convicted a fourth gang member, Devin Brown, 23, of Walterboro, S.C., of violent crime in aid of racketeering and a related firearms charge for his role in the April 7, 2015, shooting.  Brown has yet to be sentenced.
 
The case was investigated by the ATF Charleston, South Carolina, in partnership with the Walterboro Police Department; the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; the Summerville Police Department; the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; the First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; the 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 Organized Crime and Gang Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Washington, D.C., and Tameaka A. Legette, Special Assistant United States Attorney from the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Bluffton, S.C.
 

 

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Garndell Jerome Macon, Jr., 32, from Charleston, South Carolina, was convicted in federal court on two felon in possession of a firearm counts after a two-day trial before United States District Court Judge David Norton.  He faces a potential twenty-year sentence in federal prison.

United States Attorney Drake recognized the work of the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which investigated the case.  “We are working with our state and local law enforcement partners to address violence in our communities. The federal firearm laws allow us to do that in an effective and expeditious manner.”  

ATF Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman said, “ATF appreciates our strong working relationship with the Charleston Police Department and the USAO.  We are committed to reducing violent crime and apprehending violent offenders.  This collaborative effort and the resulting conviction showcases what can be accomplished as we continue to work together to keep our communities safe.” 

Evidence presented during trial established that on October 7, 2015, the City of Charleston Police Department, responding to complaints by management of an apartment complex about people loitering and selling drugs on their property, did a drive through of the parking lot.  

When the officers drove into the parking lot, they observed a number of individuals around a Honda CRV, loitering, including Macon.  The smell of marijuana was in the air and they saw one of the men place a digital scale on the hood of the Honda.  The people near the car scattered as soon as the police car arrived.  The officers checked the car and found drug paraphernalia (the scale, multiple plastic baggy pieces, and cigar wrappings).  The scale was on the hood.  An officer in another unit was set up in an observation post in an adjacent parking lot to conduct surveillance. 

That officer, close in distance, with the scene illuminated by streetlights, could see the Honda from where he was stationed and he could also see the front of the apartment complex.  He saw Macon walk out of the complex lobby.  Macon looked about nervously and walked over to the Honda and picked up the scale from the hood.  He went around and opened the rear driver’s side passenger’s door of the CRV, bent down, picked up a gun, and stood up.  The officer on the surveillance post alerted the other officers who rapidly responded.  When they came into the parking lot, Macon began sprinting towards the entrance of an apartment building.  He made it into the door and ran down the hall into an apartment.

The officers quickly followed, chasing him as he ran into the building.  A video captured his entry.  In a still photograph, the defendant can be seen carrying the gun, equipped with a laser sight.  The laser light can also be seen projected on the floor of the lobbying as Macon scurried toward an apartment inside.

 

The officers located Macon inside an apartment within the complex with children present, sitting in a chair, perspiring and out of breath. The officers found a Glock .45 caliber pistol stashed between the mattress and the box springs in a bedroom in the apartment.  The laser light was still on. The weapon was loaded with thirteen rounds in the magazine and one round was chambered.  
 

Officers then returned to the unlocked Honda.  On the driver’s side passenger seat rear floorboard (behind the driver’s s eat) officers saw a black handgun. 
 

 

This second gun was a loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson XD with a round in the chamber.  The officers retrieved the weapon and the digital scale which the officers had seen on the hood of the car earlier.  The gun and the drug scale were recovered from the same location in the Honda where officers had observed Macon grab the Glock .40 caliber just moments earlier.   

Ms. Drake advised that Assistant United States Attorney Sean Kittrell tried the case for the government. Kittrell said that the case is a small snapshot of what the police in Charleston do every day.  “They confronted an armed and convicted felon.  They were running into danger and not away from it.  They did what they do, every day, protecting people first and places second, on behalf of all of us.”

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Columbia, South Carolina--------United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a collaborative federal-state investigation culminated in arrests and significant seizures after a federal grand jury in South Carolina returned a forty-one-count indictment charging an interstate drug trafficking ring for its importation of heroin and cocaine into Richland County and surrounding areas. 

On August 6, 2017, agents involved with the joint investigation arrested six defendants pursuant to a federal indictment for their roles in the drug conspiracy, which consisted of both heroin and cocaine, two state defendants, and executed multiple federal search warrants across Richland County. Jermaine Southall, Bilal Muhammad, Jamie Patterson, Lee Ball, Christopher Fulton, and Aaron Meroney have been indicted for distributing and conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine as well as using telephones to facilitate drug trafficking. United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges scheduled hearings for the federal defendants to take place on August 10, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. during which time she will determine if bond is appropriate.

The eight-month investigation focused on a violent narcotics distribution operation in and around the Columbia area. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and DEA began sharing intelligence on smaller investigations that were being conducted throughout the area, ultimately learning that other law enforcement agencies were making undercover buys of heroin and crack cocaine that was supplied by this drug trafficking organization. “The investigation and federal indictment are the products of significant coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies, and represent the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat the heroin epidemic that our community is currently facing,” United States Attorney Beth Drake stated.

“This case serves as just one example of the ongoing efforts of local Narcotics Bureau detectives who will continue to work diligently, together with our law enforcement partners, to prevent additional overdose tragedies related to this poison,” said Richland Sheriff Leon Lott. “Working with our community, we will overcome the Heroin/Opioid epidemic that has plagued the entire country.”

This case was the culmination of a joint investigation by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, DEA Columbia Provisional Task Force, Columbia Police Department, SLED, IRS-CI, ICE – Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, USPS, and the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The DEA Columbia Provisional Task Force is comprised of Task Force Officers from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, SLED, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office.

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 Andre Youngblood, age 42, formerly of Hollywood (Charleston County), South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, a violation of 18  U.S.C. § 2250(a). United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Youngblood to 10 years of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs.  In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that in 2003 Youngblood was convicted and sentenced in New York for two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.  As a result of those convictions, Youngblood is required to register for life as a sex offender pursuant to SORNA.  Upon his release from prison, Youngblood registered as a sex offender in New York until March 2013. Youngblood later left New York and traveled in interstate commerce to South Carolina, where he lived between June 2014 and January 2015. However, Youngblood never registered in South Carolina as a sex offender as required by SORNA. Youngblood was located and arrested in New York in March 2016. Youngblood has been in custody since his arrest.

The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.  Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

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

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WASHINGTON – A superseding indictment was unsealed today charging Arash Amiri Abedian, 31, and Danial Jeloudar, 27, with aggravated identity theft; wire fraud; and criminal conspiracy and other charges relating to access device fraud, unauthorized access to, and theft of information from, computers, and threatening to damage a computer. 

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina, Assistant Director Scott Smith of the FBI’s Cyber Division and Special Agent in Charge Alphonso Norris of the FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Field Office made the announcement.

According to the allegations in the superseding indictment filed in Columbia, South Carolina, beginning in or around October 2007, Abedian and Jeloudar, residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran, conspired together to violate multiple U.S. criminal statutes.  Specifically, the indictment alleges they obtained stolen credit card numbers and related personal information by hacking and otherwise, and used that information to fraudulently and by extortion obtain money, goods and services from U.S.-based and foreign victims.

As part of the conspiracy, between 2011 and 2016, Abedian used malicious software, or “malware,” to capture the credit card and other personal information of individuals who had transacted with certain merchants’ websites.  Abedian then used that information to commit identity theft and to obtain goods and services by fraud, and, on some occasions, Abedian then transmitted the stolen information to Jeloudar.  For example, on or about Feb. 21, 2012, Abedian sent Jeloudar approximately 30,000 names and numbers, which he said were unauthorized credit card numbers and associated information.  As part of the conspiracy, in or around March 2012 and April 2012, Jeloudar ordered and obtained various equipment, servers, and internet hosting services from a provider in South Carolina using stolen credit card numbers and other personal identifiers.

The superseding indictment further alleges that, in January 2017, Jeloudar contacted a California-based online merchant and threatened to disclose its customers’ credit card numbers and other related information previously obtained by hacking the merchant‘s website, unless it made a Bitcoin payment to Jeloudar.  Jeloudar also threatened to disclose to the company’s customers that their private information had been compromised and launched a denial-of-service attack on the company’s website.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Cyber Squad investigated the case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Klumb of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Heather Alpino of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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A superseding indictment was unsealed today charging Arash Amiri Abedian, 31, and Danial Jeloudar, 27, with aggravated identity theft; wire fraud; and criminal conspiracy and other charges relating to access device fraud, unauthorized access to, and theft of information from, computers, and threatening to damage a computer. 

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina, Assistant Director Scott Smith of the FBI’s Cyber Division and Special Agent in Charge Alphonso Norris of the FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Field Office made the announcement.

According to the allegations in the superseding indictment filed in Columbia, South Carolina, beginning in or around October 2007, Abedian and Jeloudar, residing in the Islamic Republic of Iran, conspired together to violate multiple U.S. criminal statutes.  Specifically, the indictment alleges they obtained stolen credit card numbers and related personal information by hacking and otherwise, and used that information to fraudulently and by extortion obtain money, goods and services from U.S.-based and foreign victims.

As part of the conspiracy, between 2011 and 2016, Abedian used malicious software, or “malware,” to capture the credit card and other personal information of individuals who had transacted with certain merchants’ websites.  Abedian then used that information to commit identity theft and to obtain goods and services by fraud, and, on some occasions, Abedian then transmitted the stolen information to Jeloudar.  For example, on or about Feb. 21, 2012, Abedian sent Jeloudar approximately 30,000 names and numbers, which he said were unauthorized credit card numbers and associated information.  As part of the conspiracy, in or around March 2012 and April 2012, Jeloudar ordered and obtained various equipment, servers, and internet hosting services from a provider in South Carolina using stolen credit card numbers and other personal identifiers.

The superseding indictment further alleges that, in January 2017, Jeloudar contacted a California-based online merchant and threatened to disclose its customers’ credit card numbers and other related information previously obtained by hacking the merchant‘s website, unless it made a Bitcoin payment to Jeloudar.  Jeloudar also threatened to disclose to the company’s customers that their private information had been compromised and launched a denial-of-service attack on the company’s website.

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Cyber Squad investigated the case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Klumb of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Heather Alpino of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Arthur Vann, age 65, of Aiken, South Carolina, was sentenced to four years’ incarceration for participation in a Conspiracy to defraud investors, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, also ordered Vann to pay over $3.2 million in restitution to fourteen victims.

Evidence presented during his change of plea hearing in November 2016 established that Vann had an interest in various offshore bank accounts and companies, primarily located in the Caribbean.  As a financial adviser, he directed a number of clients to invest in a particular fund focused on the Cayman Islands.  When money was transferred for this purpose, Vann diverted some of it into accounts he controlled and spent it for his own benefit.  When confronted by a number of investors, he sent them fake statements purporting to reflect the investments made. 

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

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Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Demiriao Trione Bonds, age 27, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, for two armed robberies, committed in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a).  United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr. sentenced Bonds to 192 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release and ordered that he pay $1400.00 in restitution. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Bonds conspired with Delmar Deshion Jackson, on October 26, 2015 and November 13, 2015, to rob two area businesses.  Bonds committed both robberies with a firearm, which he brandished during the course of each.  Bonds took from the targeted businesses cash, retail inventory, personal effects, and store cellular devices. 

The case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Travis Sanchez Hunt, age 23, of Greenville, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea this morning in federal court in Greenville to Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).   Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., accepted the guilty plea and will impose the sentence after United States Probation prepares a presentence report.

Evidence presented by First Assistant US Attorney Lance Crick at the change of plea hearing established that on Saturday, May 6, 2017, officers with the Greenville Police Department (GPD) responded to a dispute at a residence in Greenville. Witnesses alerted GPD that Hunt had a gun in his waistband before placing a firearm in a laundry hamper.  A search of the hamper revealed two loaded 9mm pistols and multiple clear baggies containing substances that field-tested positive for cocaine and crack cocaine.  GPD also found over $2600 in cash, two digital scales, and additional baggies in a stairwell leading to Hunt’s bedroom.  In Hunt’s bedroom, GPD located additional baggies and another digital scale.

On Sunday, May 7, 2017, a GPD officer cross-designated as an ATF Task Force Officer pursuant to Operation “Real Time” interviewed Hunt in the Greenville County Detention Center.  During the post-Miranda interview, Hunt stated that he moved a purple towel containing two firearms and “work” (a term referring to drugs) from a shelf in the laundry room to a laundry hamper. Hunt stated he did this because he knew the police were coming.

Hunt also stated that he placed one of the firearms into his waistband because he thought he may need to defend himself from the family. Hunt stated that moved the firearm from his waistband to the laundry basket as police arrived.  Hunt, who was arrested on a number of state charges from this incident as well as on outstanding state bench warrants, said he knew he was going to jail because he had previously cut off his ankle monitor.  A federal arrest warrant was signed for Hunt on Monday, May 8, 2017.  Hunt remains in custody, detained since his arrest on May 6.

This case underscores GPD and ATF’s continuing “real time” identification of firearms cases for federal adoption by the US Attorney’s Office, working in concert with the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The goal of this partnership is to identify cases for federal prosecution involving individuals who continue to possess firearms despite significant criminal histories.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 119 defendants and seizure of 163 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

In addition to GPD and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, United States Probation, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the US Attorney’s Office. 

Hunt faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum of life.  The case was investigated by ATF and the Greenville Police Department.  First Assistant US Attorney Lance Crick is handling the prosecution.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cameron Banks (a/k/a Reggie Staggers), age 32, of Georgetown, S.C., was charged in a seven-count federal indictment with Health Care Fraud, in connection with an alleged scheme to submit fraudulent loan applications for dental services. 

The maximum penalty he could receive for each count is 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. 

The case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin of the Charleston office for prosecution.

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

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Kenneth Kennedy Shannon, 52 age, from Vance, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston by United States District Court Judge David Norton to life in prison without parole.  Shannon was sentenced as a result of his conviction for his leadership as the source of supply in a conspiracy to distribute more than a kilogram of heroin.

United States Attorney Drake recognized the work of the Charleston Drug Enforcement Task Force, which is comprised of federal agents and task force officers from local Charleston area agencies, including the City of Charleston Police Department.  “We are working with our state and local law enforcement partners to address the uptick in heroin distribution and opiate abuse.  It is a public health crisis that has our full attention and deserves the full array of our enforcement tools including life sentences like that handed down by the court.”

Ms. Drake said that there is an effort underway to address heroin trafficking in the Charleston community.  She advised that Assistant United States Attorney Sean Kittrell prosecuted the case for sentencing and was the trial attorney along with Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin.

The sentence was a result of two factors.  First, the jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Shannon was guilty and had distributed more than a kilogram of heroin during the life of the conspiracy.   Second, Shannon was a recidivist drug trafficker and had numerous previous drug convictions.  Under federal law, the Court was required to sentence Shannon to life in prison.

Shannon’s distribution network spread heroin from 2012 until his arrest on February 28, 2014.  According to Kittrell, a kilogram was a conservative estimate of the amount of heroin Shannon actually sold.  On the streets, a kilo can be equated to 33,000 bags or doses of heroin.  Bags of heroin often sell for $20 to $25 which means that the street value in this case was between $666,666 and $833,333. 
This particular investigation began after a series of overdoses affected the Charleston community.  Over time, undercover buys were made and sources provided information.  Surveillance was conducted.  Agents eventually secured two wiretaps and Shannon was identified as the major source of supply.  Investigators also learned that Shannon was bringing a load of heroin down by train from New York on February 27, 2014.  He got off the Amtrak in Kingstree, South Carolina and went to his stash house in Vance, South Carolina.  The next day, Shannon, drove to meet with one of his retail distributors.  The DEA Task Force, working with the North Charleston Police Department, made a traffic stop on the Tahoe in which he was riding.  Shannon, the passenger, was being driven by a close relative who had his 8-month-old grandchild in a car seat in the back of the SUV.  After the driver got out of the vehicle to speak with police, Shannon jumped over the console into the driver’s seat.  He took off and led police on a high speed chase.  That chase was called off as soon as police realized that there was a child in the car.  While Shannon was fleeing from police, a citizen saw the driver of the Chevrolet Tahoe throw a baseball-sized bag out of the window near Tony Way.  That citizen flagged down an alert North Charleston police officer involved in the chase.  Assistant United States Attorney Sean Kittrell said that although the bag was run over by another vehicle, the officer was able to recover approximately two (2) grams of heroin (approximately 67 bags or doses of heroin).  Shannon also threw another package out on the ramp at Montague Avenue that was later recovered by DEA agents.  The box held 500 blues bags of heroin.   This was a marketing tool as customers regarded the heroin in the blue bags as a great product. 

The task force learned where Shannon was and arrested him in the Tahoe later that same afternoon.  The Tahoe had residue powder on the driver’s side door, which  Agents concluded came from throwing the baseball-sized bag of heroin out of the SUV.   Because the baby was not in the car, the task force immediately began to attempt to ascertain the child’s location.  Once they learned the baby was safe, agents executed a search warrant on Shannon’s stash house in Vance, South Carolina.  Inside, agents recovered about 130 grams of heroin (enough for about 4,334 bags or doses of heroin, according to Kittrell), a Krupp’s coffee grinder with heroin residue along with two (2) metal strainers, a digital scale, and a glass pestle (all used to chop up compressed blocks of heroin ); twelve (11) small cardboard brown boxes, each holding about 600 unused individual "bindle" bags (all packaging for individual drug sales); a green grocery bag with many more "bindle" bags; two digital scales; a traffic citation issued to Kenneth Kennedy Shannon; and seven (7) bars of Mannite "Cicogna" which is used as a cutting agent by heroin traffickers to increase the weight of drugs to create more product. 

Shannon was indicted on federal charges and went to trial on July 27, 2016.  During the trial, Shannon jumped up and started screaming at the court and the jury.  He had to be subdued by deputy United States Marshals and removed from the courtroom. After 3 days of trial, Shannon was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin, in violation of Title 21 of the United States Code.

Jason Sandoval, Resident Agent in Charge of the local DEA office commented, “The Charleston community is deeply affected by the heroin problem.  It is a devastating drug. Shannon was a major trafficker and a life sentence sends a message to other traffickers who bring this drug into our community.  The DEA task force is dedicated to being a full partner of local and federal agencies, citizen advocacy groups, and all others who wish to stem the scourge of heroin in our community.”

Evidence Seized During the Investigation:
 

     

 

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Columbia, South Carolina ----United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David Paul Fuller, age 55, of Greenwood, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, for possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.    United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Fuller to 120 months in the Bureau of Prisons.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that this case originated from the take down of a child pornography website in Switzerland.  Agents were able to identify the IP address of Fuller as active on the website.  This information and further investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on Fuller’s home.   When asked by agents if they would find child pornography on his computer, Fuller said “I hope not.”  Upon further questioning he admitted to visiting websites to view what he described as “questionable material.”  Agents seized his computers and subjected them to a forensic examination.  The examination revealed hundreds of images of children, some of which were pre-pubescent, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Fuller has a prior child pornography conviction and was thus subject to a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Sean Patrick Oswell, age 52, of Greer, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, for Production of Child Pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251.   United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Oswell to 262 months imprisonment, followed by a life term of supervised release, including sex offender registration, sex offender counseling, and polygraph requirements.  

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that law enforcement located images of child pornography of a very young child in Australia.  Law enforcement worked backward, eventually locating the distributor of those images, Sean Patrick Oswell.  Investigation revealed that Oswell not only distributed those images, but he had actually created them, taking pictures of the prepubescent child, whose identity is protected, and sexually exploiting the child.

The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.  The Child Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee, & Union provided forensic evaluation in the case.  This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Marshall Carey Strickland, age 42, of Nashua, New Hampshire, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, to Possession of Child Pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B).  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 during October and November of 2013, while living in a motel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Strickland used a particular email account to access and view numerous images and videos of child pornography.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Strickland can receive is imprisonment for 10 years and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents with ICE-Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Enrique Garcia Burgos, age 45, of Myrtle Beach, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after a pre-sentence report is prepared by U.S. Probation.

This case was part of an extensive investigation conducted by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) into the sale of heroin and other illegal drugs in the Horry County, South Carolina, area. Burgos was identified as a possible heroin distributor during the investigation. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on June 26, 2016, agents conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Burgos and occupied by a coconspirator. Agents believed that Burgos and the coconspirator were returning from Atlanta with a quantity of illegal narcotics. During a search of the vehicle, agents found over 1 kilogram of heroin and approximately 500 grams of cocaine and located a loaded firearm.

Ms. Drake stated the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000. 

The case was investigated by DEA-Florence and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney Chris Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that James Coppers McKee, Jr., age 45, of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge R. 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 change of plea hearing established that DEA-Florence and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were investigating a methamphetamine distribution organization in the Horry County, South Carolina, area. As part of that investigation, agents learned that McKee was a possible methamphetamine distributor. In 2014 and 2015, agents made three controlled buys of methamphetamine from McKee. McKee was also identified as being in possession of multi-ounce quantities of methamphetamine during the conspiracy period. 

Ms. Drake stated the defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000. 

The case was investigated by DEA-Florence, South Carolina, and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney Chris Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jose Alberto Nava-Reyes, age 35, from Guerrero, Mexico pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, to Illegal Reentry into the United States after deportation, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a).  United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 15, 2017, ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations Officers in Charleston, SC, discovered Nava-Reyes, while he was in custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County on state charges. Immigration records revealed that Nava-Reyes was a native and citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States back to Mexico on multiple occasions. Nava-Reyes has never received permission to enter or remain in the US.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is imprisonment for 10 years and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Horry County Police Department and Immigration Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations.  Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Crystal Lynn Norris, age 27, of Florence, SC, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Forged and Counterfeited Securities, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  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 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 then either altered/forged the stolen checks by substituting herself as the payee, or she used genuine bank account and routing numbers from the stolen checks to make counterfeit checks.  Norris then went to banks in Florence and Easley, SC and presented the forged and counterfeited checks for payment. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Norris can receive is imprisonment for 5 years and a fine of $250,000.

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 that Samuel Pratt, a/k/a “Promise,” age 35, of Gastonia, North Carolina was sentenced to life in federal prison and his mother, Daphne Pratt, age 53, of Gastonia, North Carolina was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. Samuel Pratt had previously been found guilty on eight counts related to sex trafficking, child pornography, and firearm charges in federal court in Columbia.  Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, sentenced the defendant to life sentences on four counts related to sex trafficking, 360 months on production of child pornography, 120 months on possessing child pornography, 120 months on being a felon in possession of a firearm and 60 months for obstruction of justice. There was also over $40,000 of restitution ordered to be paid to the child victims. Daphne Pratt pled guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic minors and testified against her son in his trial, receiving a reduced sentence for her testimony.

Evidence presented trial established that Samuel Pratt ran a prostitution business of both adults and juveniles, in South Carolina, North Carolina, and New York.  The trial opened a window into the seedy world of human trafficking in the Carolinas.  Witnesses provided extensive testimony of the manipulation and abuse, as well as the inner-workings of the human trafficking operation. During the trial, Daphne Pratt testified about her son’s control of the minors, as well as her role in running the business at his direction after her son was incarcerated on federal charges. Telephone calls recorded from the jail corroborated Daphne Pratt’s testimony and, along with text messages, provided the jury a view of the depraved world of sex traffickers. Two of the victims of the trafficking were 14 and 17 years old. This was the first human trafficker convicted at trial in South Carolina.

Ms. Drake stated, “the first step on addressing the cancer of human trafficking is to hold the traffickers accountable and that is what this case and this sentence does. Those who traffic in sex need to take notice that our office, along with our federal and state law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute all those who operate in this destructive field.”

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI of both South Carolina and North Carolina, the ATF, the US Marshals and Richland County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Will Lewis of the Columbia Office prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jaquan Latrel Samuel, a/k/a “Trey,” a/k/a “Trap,” age 30, of Hartsville, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to Robbery of United States Government Property and Use of and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.  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 29, 2017, Samuel robbed a person having lawful charge, custody, and control of $400.00 belonging to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by use of a firearm.  During the hearing, agents presented evidence that Samuel pointed a firearm at the victim in order to force the victim to give up the cash. 

Ms. Drake stated that the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case was investigated by the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, the Hartsville Police Department, and the ATF.   Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Hummel of the Florence office and J.D. Rowell of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake, announced today that Sahier Lavon Richardson, age 18, of Charlotte pled guilty to charges stemming from his involvement in the pre-dawn break-in and theft of firearms from The Gun Shop in Simpsonville in October of 2016.  Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the pre-sentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. 

The facts, presented by AUSA Bill Watkins at the guilty plea hearing, established that on October 13, 2016, at approximately 2:52 a.m., a burglary occurred at The Gun Shop and Indoor Range, a federal firearms licensee, in Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681. Surveillance camera footage from the store depicted a minivan driving though the front of the store and then three subjects (one of which was Richardson), wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and carrying bags, entering the store.  Richardson and his associates used a sledge hammer and a baseball bat to break the glass from display cases containing firearms before loading handguns into the bags.  The three men were in the store for just under one minute before they fled in a getaway car and abandoned the van at the scene.  A subsequent inventory of the missing guns revealed that a total of forty-three (43) handguns had been stolen to include various models of Auto Ordnance, Bersa, Glock, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and Taurus firearms. The van was identified as a white Chrysler Town & Country which had been reported stolen from Denver, North Carolina. 

Ms. Drake also thanked law enforcement for the excellent police work: “The Simpsonville and Charlotte police, ATF and the Lincoln County Sheriff, they pulled together to solve this one.  Working together for safer communities is what it’s about.”

The maximum penalty Richardson faces is 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment fee of $100.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance and cooperation of the Simpsonville Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the Lincoln County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Department.  The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins and First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick for prosecution.  The investigation is still ongoing. 

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Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Justin Martin Jackson, 29, of Darlington, South Carolina, was sentenced this week in Florence to 168 months imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release. On March 8, 2017, Jackson entered a guilty plea in federal court to conspiracy, use of a communication facility in furtherance of the conspiracy, and use and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks imposed the sentence. 

This case was part of an extensive investigation conducted into the sale of illegal drugs in the Darlington County area. Jackson was identified as a possible cocaine and cocaine base distributor during the investigation. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that in December 2009, law enforcement agents conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Jackson and found Jackson to be in possession of cocaine and cocaine base. In December 2015, Jackson was arrested pursuant to a federal indictment at a residence in Darlington. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of over a kilogram of cocaine and 160 grams of cocaine base.  Two handguns and drug paraphernalia were also recovered in the residence. 

The case was investigated by the FBI (Florence Division), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP), the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and the Darlington County Drug Enforcement Unit (DCDEU). Assistant US 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 Callus LeFont Latimore, age 42, of Augusta, Georgia was sentenced yesterday in federal court for various charges stemming from the February, 9, 2017, armed robbery of First Reliance Bank in West Columbia, South Carolina. On April 19, 2017, Latimore entered a guilty plea before Senior United States District Court Judge Cameron M. Currie. Latimore pled guilty to armed bank robbery and use/possession/brandishing of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a), 2113(d) and 924(c). Judge Currie sentenced Latimore to a total of 117 months imprisonment with 5 years of supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented in court established that on the February 9, 2017, armed with a Hi-Point 9mm caliber handgun and wearing a construction vest, fishing hat, and fake beard, Latimore entered First Reliance Bank. After a bank employee asked Latimore if he needed assistance, Latimore brandished the Hi-Point pistol jumped on the counter and demanded money. Latimore then reached over the counter, took $10,300.00 in currency, and fled the scene.

Unbeknownst to Latimore, in the currency he stole was a bundle of funds equipped with a hidden GPS tracker. After responding to the scene, Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office were informed of the tracker, and within an hour, Deputies located Latimore off exit 119 on Interstate 26. After arresting Latimore, deputies recovered the Hi-Point 9mm handgun, GPS tracker, and all $10,300.00 of the stolen currency.

The case was investigated by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney William C. Lewis of the Columbia office handled the case.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Stephen Lewis McNeely, age 43, of Marietta, South Carolina, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Greenville, for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g). United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced McNeely to 92 months in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government at sentencing and during the guilty plea hearing earlier this year established that on April 24, 2016, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office received a tip concerning individuals in a vehicle in possession of illegal narcotics and a firearm.  GCSO located the truck and approached the two occupants, one of whom was McNeely.  As they engaged the occupants in conversation, GCSO observed drug paraphernalia in the cab of the truck.  In a subsequent search, GCSO located a Ruger 9mm pistol, a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol, a Ruger 10/22 caliber rifle, a Savage .22 caliber rifle, and a quantity of marijuana in the cab of the truck

McNeely was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate.  In addition to the GCSO and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the US Attorney’s Office. 

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of 118 defendants and seizure of 162 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with ATF, investigated the case. Assistant US Attorney Max Cauthen prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Yancy Kevon Wilson, age 23, and Randy Jones, Jr., age 23, both of Kershaw County, were sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court for various charges stemming from the June 23, 2015, armed robbery of Sandhills Bank in Bethune, South Carolina.

In March 2017, both entered guilty pleas in federal court. Wilson plead guilty to armed bank robbery, use/possession/discharge of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(c), 2113(a), and 2113(d). Jones plead guilty to conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the use/possession/discharge of a firearm of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 924(c).

Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Wilson to a total of 220 months imprisonment with 5 years of supervised release to follow. Chief Judge Wooten sentenced Jones to a total of 136 months imprisonment with 5 years of supervised release to follow. Both defendants were also ordered to make restitution to the bank for the stolen money.

Evidence presented in court established that on the early morning hours of June 23, 2015, Wilson, while armed with a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun and wearing a white hoodie, sunglasses, and gloves, approached a bank employee outside the bank and forced her at gunpoint to get him inside the locked bank building. Once inside the bank, Wilson brandished the firearm and demanded money. After obtaining money, Wilson fled from the bank and discharged the firearm twice outside the bank. Witnesses heard the shots fired and observed a dark colored vehicle, later determined to be driven by Jones, with paper tags pick up Wilson and flee the scene.

On June 25, 2015, deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department located Jones and Wilson, along with another individual with a vehicle fitting the description of the get-away vehicle at a carwash in Lugoff. Further investigation lead to the discarded clothes worn by the bank robber, Wilson, and the empty bank bag from Sandhills Bank, all of which was found on the side of a road where Jones told investigators they left them.

DNA analysis revealed Wilson’s DNA on the discarded white hoodie. Additionally, the two, fired .40 caliber shell casings recovered from the scene of the bank robbery were matched to a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber firearm purchased by Jones in February 2015. Finally, text messages were recovered from a cell phone showing that Wilson and Jones planned the bank robbery in advance. Wilson is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition by virtue of his prior state convictions for strong arm robbery and assault and battery 1st degree.

The case was investigated by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department, the Bethune Police Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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 stated today that Michael Lee Westbrook, age 41, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Greenville, for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g). Due to his significant prior criminal history, Westbrook was classified as an Armed Career Criminal for sentencing purposes and was subject to a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.  United States District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Westbrook to 210 months in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea at a hearing earlier this year established that on September 3, 2016, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a residence in Greenville in an attempt to locate and serve an arrest warrant on Westbrook.  Upon their arrival, Westbrook was located in the back yard of the home and arrested. During a search incident to arrest, GCSO recovered a loaded .380 caliber pistol in Westbrook’s pants pocket.  

Westbrook was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate.  In addition to the GCSO and the ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the US Attorney’s Office.  Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 118 defendants and seizure of approximately 162 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the local, state, and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the ATF investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen prosecuted the case.

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Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced that Timothy Greer, age 52, of Slater, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday to serve 36 months in federal prison for Possession of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B).  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, who also ordered that Greer be placed on supervised release for life.  Judge Childs ordered as a condition of supervised release that Greer have his computer usage monitored and that he be placed on the Sexual Offender Registry.

U.S. Attorney Drake advised that Greer’s personal computer was searched and over 35,000 pornographic images of children were found.  Many of these were of prepubescent children and some were sadistic in nature.  Drake went on to say that there was no evidence that Greer was involved in manufacturing any of these images, rather he had obtained them from the internet.

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

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Schoen and David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Johnny Ray Outz, age 26, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty Monday in federal court in Greenville, to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 924c. United States District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs of Greenville accepted the plea and will impose sentence after a presentence report is prepared by U.S. Probation.  Outz faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on  March 25, 2017, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, pursuant to an outstanding warrant, were searching for Outz in Mauldin, South Carolina. When GCSO located Outz, a search of his person revealed a MAC 11 pistol and methamphetamine in a book bag he was carrying. 

Outz was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.”  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community. 

In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of 118 defendants and seizure of approximately 162 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together.  This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen.

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Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Anthony M. Valentine age 27, of Greenville, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea yesterday in federal court in Greenville to Possessing of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  
United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia 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 on March 22, 2017, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Valentine’s residence.  Valentine was found in the house along with a loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun, two large bags of marijuana, digital scales, 49 rounds of ammunition, and $990 in cash.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Valentine could receive is Life imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 dollars.   The case was investigated by agents of ATF and the Greenville 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 that Jennifer Jackson, age 25, of Liberty, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea yesterday in federal court in Greenville to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841.  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia 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 on April 4, 2017, Jackson possessed two bags, one of which contained methamphetamine, and the other contained a Kel-tec .40 caliber handgun.  Jackson has prior felony convictions, for which she has not received a pardon.

 

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty Jackson could receive is Life imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000 dollars.  The case was investigated by agents of ATF and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

 

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