District of South Carolina

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned the following multiple-count Indictment:

Abdullah Jabbar Aquil, a/k/a “Wap,” was charged in a 9-count indictment with possession with intent to distribution and distribution of heroin (7 counts), using/possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c).

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

# # # # #

Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Fareed Abdul Jabar, age 33, of Georgia, pled guilty Monday in federal court in Greenville, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g). 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.  Jabar faces up to ten years in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on March 29, 2017, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office stopped Jabar on I-85 for speeding.  During the traffic stop, a deputy smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol was located in the center console of the vehicle.  In the rear hatch, GCSO recovered a bag containing a loaded .40 caliber pistol magazine.

Jabar 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.

# # # # #

Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Dustin Gregory Martin, age 46, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty Monday in federal court in Greenville, for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g).  United States District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs of Greenville accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.  Martin faces up to ten years in federal prison.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on April 5, 2017, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) arrested Martin on an outstanding warrant at a motel on Augusta Road in Greenville. A search pursuant to Martin’s arrest resulted in the seizure of a Glock 9mm pistol from under the pillow on the bed in the motel room.

Martin 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 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, 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 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 the ATF investigated the case. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen.

# # # # #

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Kenneth W. Hillman, III, age 47, formerly of Dalton, Georgia, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Rome, Georgia, to disclosure of confidential information, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1905.  United States Magistrate Judge Walter Johnson, of Rome, presided over the guilty plea hearing and will provide United States District Judge Harold L. Murphy with a recommendation about accepting the plea.  If he accepts the plea, Judge Murphy 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 between August 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012, the Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) employed Kenneth W. Hillman, III, as a Special Agent in the Northern District of Georgia.  Mr. Hillman was assigned as the lead agent of the Northwest Georgia Internet Crime and Child Exploitation Task Force (Task Force).  This Task Force included other officers assigned from local law enforcement agencies. 

The Task Force was authorized to investigate and solicit, via the internet, persons seeking to have sexual relations with children.  This Task Force used an undercover facility along with undercover computers, government cell phones and specialized internet chat language designed by and known only to the Task Force members to solicit and lure these individuals to the area where they were arrested.

During this period, neither E. R. nor A. R. were law enforcement officers or members of the Task Force.  Mr. Hillman disclosed sensitive, but unclassified, information as to the operation of this Task Force to E. R. and A. R. This disclosure included allowing E. R., on one occasion, and A. R. to view agents involved in the internet chatting with some individuals and allowing them to accompany agents during the arrests of some of these individuals.

Mr. Hillman also allowed A. R. access to a sensitive, but unclassified, undercover FBI computer and the specialized internet chat language used by the Task Force.  Mr. Hillman allowed A. R., using the FBI’s undercover computer and the specialized language, to conduct several chats with persons on behalf of the Task Force.  A. R. recruited several individuals who were looking to engage sexually with minor children to the area.  These persons were arrested.

Mr. Hillman was not authorized by law to divulge, disclose or make known in any manner the Task Force operation to E. R. and/or A. R., or to allow A. R. to participate in the undercover operation of the Task Force, to possess and operate FBI equipment, to conduct chats, arrests, or otherwise be involved in the operation of the Task Force. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for this offense is imprisonment for 1 year and/or a fine of $100,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorneys William  K. Witherspoon and James H. May of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina------United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Gregory S. Boone, age 47, of Lancaster, South Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for willful failure to pay over taxes, in violation of Title 26, United States Code Section 7202.

According to information presented during his guilty plea, Boone owned both the Lancaster Pharmacy and the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy in Rock Hill. While the owner, Boone withheld federal income taxes from his employees’ wages and kept the money for himself. In addition, facts presented during the hearing showed that Boone had failed to pay his income taxes since the year 2000. Based on IRS calculations, Boone failed to pay over $350,000 in federal income taxes.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Charlotte Field Office Criminal Division working cooperatively with the IRS Civil Enforcement Division and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Eric Scott, age 40, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in federal court in Greenville today.  The Court also imposed a money judgment against Scott in the amount of approximately $ 1,300,000.

The evidence at trial showed that Scott participated in a drug conspiracy that spanned 13 years, beginning in 2003.  Members of the conspiracy operated in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana.  Testimony from numerous witnesses established that during the course of the conspiracy, members of the conspiracy distributed in excess of 100 kilograms of cocaine, over 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and in excess of 5 kilograms of crack cocaine.

Scott operated primarily in Anderson, South Carolina, as local distributors.  The evidence showed that Scott entered the conspiracy in 2003 and continued participating in the conspiracy even while imprisoned on federal drug charges from 2007-2011 and after his release until his arrest in this case in 2015.

Law enforcement officers utilized remote surveillance, wiretaps, confidential sources and other investigative techniques to ultimately charge in excess of 20 defendants in the case.  Scott and co-defendant Antonio Crawley were the only defendants who went to trial.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized in excess of $1.5 million in U.S. Currency, over 5 kilograms of cocaine, quantities of marijuana and crack cocaine, and numerous firearms.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Narcotics Chief for the Narcotics Unit, was the lead prosecutor. 

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

#####

Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake, announced that Stephanie Lake Meyer, age 46, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was sentenced today to serve 36 months in federal prison for Interference with the Administration of the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 7212.  The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain who also directed that Meyer be placed on supervised release for one year once released from prison and to pay restitution in the amount of $256,938.04.

Meyer entered a plea of guilty before Judge Cain on November 30, 2016.  At that hearing the Judge was advised of the following facts.  Meyer devised and executed a scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In this scheme Meyer sent approximately 45 checks totaling approximately Eleven Million Dollars to the IRS.  Each of these checks were noted by Meyer as being payment of income taxes.  As the checks were received they were credited to Meyer’s IRS account.  The IRS then checked and determined that Meyer had no tax liability.  There being no tax liability, the IRS refunded monies to Meyer to account for the “overage” that she had sent in.

After some $256,938.04 was sent to Meyer, the IRS discovered that all of the checks that Meyer had sent in were bogus and that she was running what is commonly known as a “phantom account balance scheme”.  This is a scheme normally seen with bank accounts where an account holder deposits worthless checks to build up the balance and then draws it down before the bogus nature of the checks is discovered.

U.S. Attorney Drake stated that agents of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division had investigated the case and that Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office was in charge of the prosecution.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Tommie Lee Causey, Jr. was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for possession of a stolen firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(j).  United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, sentenced Causey to 110 months incarceration, followed by a term of supervised release of three (3) years.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 18, 2016, Chester City Police officers responded to a 911 call wherein the caller indicated Causey had brandished a firearm.  When officers arrived, they observed Causey riding in a white car that had been described by the caller.  Officers asked Causey to step out of the vehicle and then searched the vehicle after asking the driver for consent.  The officers located a Springfield, .45 caliber pistol hidden underneath the seat that Causey was sitting in.  The FBI and ATF determined that the firearm had been reported stolen out of Lancaster County in 2015.  At his change of plea hearing, Causey admitted that he knowingly possessed the stolen .45 caliber handgun prior to being arrested on August 18, 2016. 

Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing today established that Causey's prior record includes multiple convictions for distribution of cocaine, which occurred in 1995, and a conviction for voluntary manslaughter, which occurred in 1997.  While sentencing the defendant, the Court noted the Defendant’s history of being involved in violence, including his membership in the Outcast Motorcycle Club.

The case was investigated by Chester Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.  Assistant United States Attorney JD Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Eric Scott, age 40, will be sentenced on Wednesday, July 12th, at 10:00 A.M.  The sentencing hearing will take place in the Clement F. Haynsworth Federal Building, 300 East Washington Street, Greenville, South Carolina, before the Honorable Timothy M. Cain, U.S. District Judge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Narcotics Chief for the Narcotics Unit, was the lead prosecutor. 

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

#####

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Charleston, South Carolina, yesterday convicted a member of the Wildboys gang of attempted murder in aid of racketeering and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, announced Acting Assistant Attorney Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon, Jr. of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Devin Brown, aka “Deno Badazz,” 23, of Walterboro, S.C., was convicted of violent crime in aid of racketeering activity and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence as a result of his involvement in the April 7, 2015, attempted murder of individuals believed to be rival gang members. Brown faces a minimum mandatory term of 10 years in prison on the firearms charge.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendant was a member of the Wildboys, a violent street gang from the Green Pond area of Walterboro, S.C. Evidence at trial showed that beginning as early as 2012, Wildboys gang members engaged in racketeering activity, to include an April 9, 2012, robbery in Walterboro, and a March 18, 2015, attempted murder in Summerville, S.C.   

Evidence presented at trial also showed that Brown, along with two other members of the Wildboys, committed racketeering acts, including the April 7, 2015 shooting at the home of a rival gang member in the Dooley Hill area of Walterboro. According to the trial evidence, on that date, Brown and two other members of the Wildboys drove past the home of the rival gang members and used assault-type firearms to shoot into the home. An innocent bystander inside the home was shot and injured, the evidence showed. 

Four individuals previously pleaded guilty to violent crime in aid of racketeering related to their involvement in the Wildboys gang. On June 2, 2017, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel of the District of South Carolina sentenced Wildboys members and associates Kelvin Mitchell, Damien Robinson, and Brian Manigo for their roles in gang-related racketeering activities. Sentencing is pending for Wildboys member Joshua Manigault. 

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

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

# # # # #

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Howard Dillon, age 55, of Myrtle Beach was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Pass Counterfeit Securities, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Dillon to 30 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Dillon was also ordered to pay over $31,000 in restitution to victims of the fraud. 

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

The defendants would make counterfeit checks using genuine bank account and routing numbers they obtained from checks stolen out of mailboxes in Horry and Georgetown Counties.

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

The defendants would purchase merchandise at one store using the counterfeit checks, then they would go to another store in the same chain and exchange the merchandise for cash.

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

#####

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Joshua Frederick Davis, age 31, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston, to two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on December 28, 2015, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Davis.  During the stop, officers conducted a probable cause search of the defendant and located 96 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 19 grams of crack cocaine and 12 grams of cocaine in Davis’ pants.  Officers then executed a search warrant at Davis’ residence, where they found over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine and two firearms in Davis’ bedroom.

On February 8, 2016, the Goose Creek Police Department conducted a lawful traffic stop on Davis.  After placing Davis under arrest for a small amount of crystal methamphetamine found in his vehicle, officers recovered 25 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 10 grams of crack cocaine and 2 grams of cocaine from Davis’ pants.    

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $4,000,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Moncks Corner Police Department and Goose Creek Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ----  United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ryan Smith, age 23, formerly of Charleston, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to possessing child pornography containing images of children under the age of 12 that had traveled in interstate/foreign commerce by computer, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A.  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Smith used a University of South Carolina computer, in Columbia, to access a pay to view child pornography hidden service on the internet in March 2016. Law enforcement agencies in the United States and in other countries began monitoring the site and determined that Smith was one of many people accessing the web site.   Further investigation revealed that Smith also possessed images of child pornography involving prepubescent children on his personal lap top computer.  

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for possessing child pornography containing images of children younger than 12 years old is imprisonment for up to 20 years plus supervised release from 5 years to  life and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting 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.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Nigel Michael Sandiford, a/k/a “Marvin H. Rogers,” a/k/a “Cecil Price,” age 43, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court after earlier pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, sentenced Sandiford to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment along with a $5,500.00 fine and $100 special assessment. Sandiford, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, waived deportation proceedings and agreed to be deported immediately following his service of the imposed term of imprisonment.

Evidence presented in court during the March 2017 guilty plea hearing established that after receiving information from New Jersey law enforcement, federal agents obtained and executed a federal search warrant at Sandiford’s Montego Bay restaurant on Parklane Road in Columbia on July 18, 2016. Inside the restaurant, agents located a Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun, a Glock .45 caliber handgun, along with rounds of 12 gauge shotgun shells, .40 caliber ammunition, .45 caliber ammunition, and a 30-round high capacity magazine containing 9mm ammunition. Sandiford admitted to possessing the firearms and ammunition and to having a prior Richland County drug conviction under the alias “Marvin H. Rogers,” as well as prior New York convictions under the alias “Cecil Price.”

Sandiford is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which includes a South Carolina conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and New York convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell 3rd degree, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree – defaced for concealment, and menacing.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 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.

#####
 

NOTE: The Settlement Agreement is attached as a PDF.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that it reached a settlement agreement with Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (Panda Express), a restaurant chain with over 1,800 locations in the United States.  The agreement resolves the department’s investigation into whether Panda Express discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when reverifying their permission to work.

The department’s investigation concluded that Panda Express unnecessarily required lawful permanent resident workers to re-establish their work authorization when their Permanent Resident Cards expired, while not making similar requests to U.S. citizen workers when their documents expired.  The investigation also revealed that Panda Express routinely required other non-U.S. citizen workers to produce immigration documents to reverify their ongoing work authorization despite evidence they had already provided sufficient documentation.  The antidiscrimination provision of the INA prohibits such requests for documents when based on an employee’s citizenship status or national origin.

Under the settlement, Panda Express will pay a civil penalty of $400,000 to the United States, establish a $200,000 back pay fund to compensate workers who lost wages due to the company’s practices, train its human resources personnel on the requirements of the INA’s anti-discrimination provision, and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.

“Employers should ensure that their reverification practices comply with laws that protect workers against discrimination,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Tom Wheeler of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department applauds Panda Express for its cooperation during this investigation and its commitment to compensating workers who may have lost wages due to its documentary practices.”

Work-authorized, non-U.S. citizens who lost work at Panda Express between May 31, 2014, and June 28, 2017, due to Panda Express’ documentary practices may be eligible for back pay for the wages they would have earned.  For more information, email IER.PEclaims@usdoj.gov.  

The division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER), formerly known as the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA.  The statute prohibits, among other things, citizenship, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation and intimidation.  

For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email IER@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail); or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites.

Applicants or workers who believe they were subjected to different documentary requirements based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin; or discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral, should contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.

# # # # #

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Travis Daniel Smith, age 29, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was sentenced after earlier pleading guilty 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 marijuana, in violation of  Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(b)(1)(D). Senior United States District Judge Cameron Currie sentenced Smith to 72 months imprisonment with 5 years of federal supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on April 7, 2016, Smith attempted to allude officers of the Rock Hill Police Department during a routine traffic stop. Evidence showed that Smith first led officers on a short car-chase and later left his vehicle to flee on foot. During the foot-chase, officers observed Smith abandoning a Diamondback .380 caliber pistol. Once officers were able to detain Smith, they discovered a bag of marijuana and a digital scale on his person. Smith is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior state convictions and adjudications for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and unlawful carrying of a pistol.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Rock Hill 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.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that David George Darrigo, Jr., age 42, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina. On April 18, 2017, Darrigo pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution a quantity of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Darrigo to 100 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised released.

Evidence presented at the change of plea on April 18, 2017, and sentencing hearing established that in early 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were investigating a methamphetamine distribution organization in the Horry County, South Carolina area. On December 18, 2015, agents made a controlled buy of a quantity of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) from Darrigo. After further investigation, agents obtained a search warrant for Darrigo’s home. On September 14, 2016, agents searched Darrigo’s home pursuant to the warrant and found 227 grams of methamphetamine in the home. Agents also seized over three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) from the home. Darrigo was arrested shortly thereafter.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Asuncion Sarminento Arguello a/k/a Asuncion Arguello Sarminento, age 34, of Veracruz, Mexico, was sentenced in federal court today to 108 months  imprisonment followed by a term of three years’ supervised release. On February 27, 2017, Arguello entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution a quantity of heroin and a quantity of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, imposed the sentence. 

This case was part of an extensive investigation conducted by 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. Arguello was identified as a possible heroin distributor. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that agents made a controlled purchase of a quantity of heroin from Arguello in January 2016. Several months later, based on additional information learned during the investigation, agents stopped a vehicle occupied by Arguello. Agents searched the vehicle and located a loaded firearm, over 1 kilogram of heroin and nearly 500 grams of cocaine.

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

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jose Hernandez Guerrero, age 39, from Pamplico, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-entry into the United States after deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Guerrero to 15 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised released.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing on February 27, 2017, established that on October 19, 2016, ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers from Charleston discovered Guerrero while he was in custody at the Florence County Detention Center on state charges. Records checks revealed that Guerrero was a native and citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States.  Guerrero has never received permission to enter or remain in the United States. 

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

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Efran Bautista-Ayala, age 45, from Myrtle Beach was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Illegal Re-entry into the United States after deportation, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2).  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Bautista-Ayala to 18 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised released.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing on February 27, 2017, established that on November 9, 2016, ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers from Charleston discovered Bautista-Ayala while he was in custody at the Horry County Detention Center on state charges. Records checks revealed that Bautista-Ayala was a native and citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States.  Bautista-Ayala has never received permission to enter or remain in the United States. 

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

#####
 

Florence, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Norod Arcane McCullough, age 24, of Loris, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced McCullough to a total of 72 months imprisonment and five years’ supervised release.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on October 21, 2016, Norod Arcane McCullough was arrested in Conway, South Carolina, for possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. The arrest and convictions resulted from the seizure of a backpack containing the firearm and the heroin found in a repossessed vehicle by a local car dealer who called the police. While the police were on the scene McCullough called the car dealer and said that his backpack had been left in the repossessed car and that he wanted it back. When McCullough arrived to retrieve the backpack, he was arrested by the police.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and local Horry County Police departments.  Assistant United States Attorney Alfred W. Bethea, Jr., of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

#####
 

Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Trevis L. Bland, a/k/a “HellRell,” a/k/a “Rell,” age 24, of Greenville, South Carolina entered a guilty plea in federal court to Conspiracy to Carry a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(o), Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), Felon in Possession of Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), three counts of Carjacking, in violation of 18  U.S.C. § 2119(1), two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 13, 2016, Trevis Bland conspired to rob the Crown Plaza in Greenville, SC.  On April 23, 2016, Bland and others planned the robbery of a woman at the Phoenix Inn, in Greenville, SC.  Bland and others robbed the woman at gunpoint, forcibly removed her from her car, and stole her car.  On April 24, 2016, Bland and others planned the robbery of a man outside his home in Greenville, SC.  Bland and others robbed the man and another woman at gunpoint, and stole the man's car. On April 24, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed the Spinx Gas Station on East Washington Street, Greenville, SC, at gunpoint. 

On April 27, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed three victims outside of the Phoenix Inn at gunpoint.  On April 30, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed and carjacked two victims at Endel and Doe Street in Greenville, SC.  Bland had asked the individuals for a ride, but once they were driving, he pointed the gun at the female driver and male passenger.  After Bland took control of the car, the woman fought with Bland and secured the firearm, firing multiple shots at Bland as he drove away.  On May 2, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed the Plez U Convenience Store in Easley, SC, at gunpoint.  Bland has prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. 

U.S. Attorney Drake stated the minimum penalty for these convictions is 25 years imprisonment with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of ATF, the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, and the Easley Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville USAO is prosecuting the case.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina--------United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned a three-count indictment charging Nicole Jenice Samples, of Columbia, with depravation of rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, and obstruction of justice under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513(b)(3).  Samples faces up to ten years on each Section 242 offense and twenty years on the Section 1513(b)(3) offense, along with a fine of $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release.

According the grand jury’s indictment, on January 1, 2017, Nicole Jenice Samples directed the use of excessive force as punishment for two juveniles housed at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). It is alleged that in response to juveniles making noise, Samples, a Lieutenant at DJJ, ordered two of her subordinate correctional officers to apply mechanical restraints to two juveniles, directing that the leg restraints be connected to the hand restraints, a practice known as “hog-tying.” In contravention of DJJ policy that limited use of restraints and specifically forbade any hog-tying of juveniles, Samples oversaw the application of the hog-tie restraints as punishment, leaving the juveniles face down on their stomachs for over two hours.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake thanked DJJ Acting Director Freddie Pough, SLED and the FBI: “These three law enforcement agencies have great, cooperative working relationships, and on matters of joint interest, their investigative work ensures that nobody is above or outside the law.”

Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI, added, “This matter was aggressively pursued by the FBI and our law enforcement partners.  We continue to be committed to ensuring these violations are investigated and that the violators are brought to justice.”

Acting Director Freddie Pough stated, “We at DJJ make full review of allegations of abuse and/or mistreatment of all juveniles in our care, and we will not tolerate mistreatment by any staff or other residents.  When this allegation was raised, after an initial review, we notified SLED, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in order that there was a full investigation.  No officer is above the law.  I would like to thank our State and Federal counterparts for their support and assistance with this investigation.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and SLED at the request of, and with the assistance of, the Department of Juvenile Justice and Acting Director Freddie Pough. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson 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.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake  stated today that a federal jury in Columbia convicted Emanuel Cheeseboro, a/k/a “Mandoo”, age 35, of Columbia, South Carolina, of six (6) counts of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), two (2) counts of felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), two (2) counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and one (1) count of possession of  marijuana, a violation 21 U.S.C. § 844(a).  United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia,  presided over the three-day trial and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented during the trial established that after numerous citizen complaints, ATF and the Columbia Police Department began targeting drug dealers in the Martin Luther King Park area of Columbia.  Law enforcement made multiple undercover purchases of crack cocaine from Cheeseboro in the spring of 2014.  These purchases took place at different houses in the MLK Park area.  In each case, Cheeseboro was captured on video selling crack cocaine.  During one purchase, Cheeseboro bragged about and displayed a 9mm Taurus firearm with a laser sight that he kept during nighttime drug purchases.  

Pursuant to a search warrant executed during the investigation on a house where Cheeseboro was present, police found crack cocaine, marijuana, and scales.  Law enforcement was also able to locate a firearm sometime after the search warrant that they were able to link to Cheeseboro, a convicted felon. 

On June 8, 2016, CPD officers detained Cheeseboro and a female who were both located in a vehicle at a residence in Columbia, known as “the Hole”.  During their investigation and search of the car, officers found a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat, a quantity of crack cocaine on the female driver and a quantity of marijuana in the trunk of the car.  According to the female occupant, Cheeseboro asked her to hide the crack cocaine on her person and shoved the gun under her seat when the police arrived. 

Ms. Drake stated that Cheeseboro faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.  The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local law enforcement partnership, which aggressively prosecutes gun cases.

#####

Florence, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Florwer Carlin Lizano, Jr., age 41, of Dillon, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for felon in possession of a firearm.  United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Lizano to 48 months imprisonment and three-years’ supervised release.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that On August 5, 2016, Florwer Carlin Lizano, Jr., was arrested by the Dillon Police Department after he was found asleep in a parked car with a loaded firearm in his belt. As a convicted felon, Lizano is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.  The firearm had been reported stolen out of Lumberton, N.C.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and by the Dillon Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Alfred W. Bethea, Jr., of the Florence office prosecuted the case.

#####

COLUMBIA— United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing selected restaurants in Greenville to ensure that the restaurants provide the access required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”).  The review stems from the Department of Justice’s Congressionally-mandated responsibility to ensure compliance with the ADA. 

Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the owners and operators of places of public accommodation, which include restaurants, hotels, theatres, and other establishments.  The ADA requires that these facilities be “designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with the accessibility standards established” by the ADA’s implementing regulations.  The ADA also requires the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate places of public accommodation and undertake periodic review of compliance with the ADA, and to bring civil enforcement actions to obtain compliance and penalties as appropriate.

As part of this review, restaurant owners are first asked to complete a survey regarding the restaurant’s accessibility.  A Department of Justice investigator may then visit the selected restaurants to evaluate ADA compliance.  If the site visit reveals ADA noncompliance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will notify the owners and operators.  The Department of Justice generally pursues voluntary compliance measures first.  It may, however, commence a civil lawsuit in federal court if necessary.  It does so, for example, in cases that involve a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raise issues of general public importance.

U.S. Attorney Drake noted that, “The ADA secures for people with disabilities access to our communities and the services that will allow them like every other American to reach their potential and be a contributing member of our society. Imagine, if you will, what life would be like if you could not get into a grocery store or a school or government office, or in this case, eat at a restaurant.”  Drake added that the ADA is a critical tool in ensuring that people living with disabilities have access to our communities.  “We look forward to working with our restaurants.  If any restaurants are noncompliant, we will work with them to bring them into compliance, so that the entire community can enjoy their facilities.”

This initiative continues the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DOJ’s long commitment to enforcing the ADA, including: an agreement with the Richland County Election Board to ensure that Polling Places are ADA compliant; an agreement with the City of Columbia Police Department regarding treatment of arrestees who are deaf, and several ADA agreements with South Carolina municipalities as part of the DOJ project civic access.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina enforces federal civil rights laws, including the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.  Civil remedies under these statutes include monetary penalties, injunctions, civil judgments and more.

To learn more about the ADA and other laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, log on to www.ada.gov/ta-pubs-pg2.htm or call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). The U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Program webpages are located at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/civil-rights.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Matthew Joseph Kelly, age 29, of Pickens, South Carolina, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Kelly previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on January 18, 2017, for possessing a destructive device. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 19, 2016, agents with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force along with deputies from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office had an arrest warrant for an individual believed to be at a residence in Easley, SC.  While at this residence, agents encountered Kelly and obtained permission to search his belongings. This search revealed a pipe bomb in a bag belonging to Kelly.

Kelly 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 possess firearms in the Upstate community. 

Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 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, Firearms and Explosives 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 case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Nicholas Blake Cason, age 28, of Anderson, South Carolina, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Cason previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on July 21, 2016, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that, on February 22, 2016, a deputy with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) encountered Cason while looking for another individual. During that interface, GCSO discovered that Cason was in possession of drugs and a loaded 9mm pistol. Due to his prior criminal history and record, Cason is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Cason 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 possess firearms in the Upstate community. 

In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (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, 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 some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 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, Firearms, and Explosives 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 and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

#####

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

Mullins Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation.   Jorge Hernandez-Gomez a/k/a Jorge Hernandez-Rodriguez, age 34, of Mullins, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Hernandez-Gomez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment.  The case was investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.

Myrtle Beach Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation.   Gaudencio Morgado-Martinez, age 32, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).  The maximum penalty Morgado-Martinez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment.  The case was investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.

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.

#####

Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Dominick Larenzo Johnson, age 30, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville to felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office. Due to his prior history of felony convictions, Johnson faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that, on  September 8, 2016, Johnson bailed out of his vehicle after fleeing an attempted traffic stop initiated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO).   After locating the abandoned vehicle and while canvassing the area looking for Johnson, GCSO deputies learned from eyewitnesses that Johnson had discarded an object in a dumpster as he ran by it.  GCSO arrested Johnson shortly thereafter and retrieved that object that Johnson discarded—a backpack containing a loaded 9mm pistol. 

Johnson 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, Firearms, and Explosives (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, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th 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 some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 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, Firearms, and Explosives 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.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling the case.

#####

Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Delmar Deshion Jackson, age 39, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville.  Jackson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit six armed robberies in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a).  United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Jackson conspired with Demiriao Trione Bonds, between October 26, 2015 and November 26, 2015, including on Thanksgiving day, to rob six area businesses.  An investigation into the activity of the two men revealed that Jackson would provide transportation to the target businesses for Bonds.  Bonds committed five of the six robberies with a firearm, which he brandished during the course of each, and a sixth, under threat of a firearm.  During the course of the six robberies, the co-conspirators took from the targeted businesses cash, retail inventory, personal effects, and store cellular devices.  At the time of his arrest, Jackson was found in possession of various items connected with the robberies, including one of the firearms, stolen pharmaceuticals, and a piece of distinctive winter apparel.

Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.  Bonds had previously pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, which stipulated to a sentence of 32 years.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) working in conjunction with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.

#####
 

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

Georgia Man Indicted for Extortion and Pretending to be an Attorney.   Phillip Asher, a/k/a “Phillip Reynolds,” of Douglasville, Georgia, was charged in a 7-count indictment that related to his attempting to defraud and extort money from the owner of a Columbia restaurant by pretending to be an attorney. The indictment charges that Asher demanded amounts of $250,000 and $300,000, threatening legal action, economic harm, and immigration consequences if the money was not paid.

Asher is charged with Hobbs Act extortion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1951, wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1343, and traveling in interstate commerce to execute a fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §2314.  The maximum penalty Asher could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the extortion and wire fraud counts and 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 for the traveling in interstate commerce to commit fraud.  The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Alyssa Richardson of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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.

#####

Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Courtney Eugene Harris, age 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(c). United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Harris faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years in federal prison and a maximum of life.

Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on  April 7, 2017, agents with United States Probation conducted a home visit at the Harris’ residence in Greenville. When the agents arrived, they were met in the yard by Harris.  The agents observed Harris holding latex gloves and his shirt was covered in white powder. After Harris invited them into his home, agents observed white powder covering the kitchen counter along with several small baggies located beside the white powder. Agents then called the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) for assistance.

After GCSO arrived and advised Harris of his rights, Harris told GCSO that the substance observed in the kitchen earlier by US Probation agents was cocaine that he was mixing with caffeine. Pursuant to a search warrant obtained by GCSO, deputies seized the substance, which field-tested positive as cocaine, as well as more cocaine and a 9mm pistol from Harris’ bedroom

Harris 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.  

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, the FBI, the DEA, 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 some 115 defendants and seizure of approximately 130 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, Firearms, and Explosives 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, the U.S. Probation Office, and 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 in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Aaryon Brian Dowdy, a/k/a “Trouble,” age 27, of Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced today after earlier pleading guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a), and 924(e).  Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Dowdy to 75 months imprisonment with 3 years of federal supervised release to follow.

Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on January 3, 2014, Dowdy and another individual were involved in an altercation inside a convenience store on Farrow Road in Columbia. Evidence showed that during the altercation, Dowdy pulled a handgun and shot the other individual in the face. Dowdy then fled the scene. The incident was captured on videotape. The Columbia Police Department issued state warrants of attempted murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime (those state charges remain pending and Mr. Dowdy is innocent until proven guilty).

Dowdy was apprehended in Orangeburg on January 14, 2014. At the time of his state arrest on January 14, 2014, Dowdy had a loaded .357 caliber handgun in his possession. The investigation revealed that the handgun was the same handgun used in the January 3, 2014, incident. Dowdy is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree (2 separate offenses) and attempted burglary 2nd degree.    

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.  Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Fred Deshawn Edwards, age 22, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks. Edwards previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on February 6, 2017, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person. 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on November 1, 2016, during a search of his residence by law enforcement, officers recovered four firearms and ammunition. Due to his prior criminal history and record, Edwards is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Edwards 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 possess firearms in the Upstate community. 

In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (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, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 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 some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

U.S. Attorney Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 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 Spartanburg Police Department, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cornelius N. Mattress., age 43, of Anderson, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for his leadership in a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.  United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston sentenced Mattress to 40 months in the Bureau of Prisons, ordered that he pay $10,544.41 in restitution, and imposed a three-year term of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Mattress and his co-conspirators stole mail in and around Anderson County in an effort to obtain blank checks that are often sent to bank customers along with their statements.  Once in possession of the checks, Mattress or a co-conspirator would open bank accounts, forge the checks, and deposit the checks into the accounts.  Mattress would withdraw money from the accounts before the fraud was discovered.  Mattress also recruited juveniles to cash checks and open accounts.   

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

#####

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

Fountain Inn Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. David Jerome Butler, age 42, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Butler could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Greenville County Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges. Travis Sanchez Hunt, age 32, of Greenville County, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack), a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  The maximum penalty Hunt could face is a fine of $1,500,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 450 years. The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

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

#####

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

Greenville Resident Indicted on Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography.  Micah R. Vickery, age 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a 2-count indictment with possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B) and distribution of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2).  The maximum penalty Vickery could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.

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

Mauldin Resident Indicted on Federal Gun Charges.  Alvin Andrae Drummond, age 41, of Mauldin, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and (g)(9).  The maximum penalty Drummond could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office.

Individual Indicted on Federal Gun Charges.  Nicholas La Shaun Finley, age 45, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and (g)(9).  The maximum penalty Finley could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office.

Four Aliens Arrested and Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States.  Rigoberto Morales-Hernandez, Tomas De La Cruz-Chingo, Luis Mario Olmos Betancourt, and Pedro Antonio Medina were each charged in separate indictments with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326.  The maximum penalty each could receive, depending on their prior criminal history, is two to twenty years imprisonment.  These cases were investigated by agents of the ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges.  Thomas Edward Norman, age 33, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  The maximum penalty Norman could face is a fine of $1,500,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 35 years. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Richard Lamar Chapman, age 24, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Chapman could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Brian Delquez Edwards, age 19, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); and possession of a stolen firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(j).  The maximum penalty Edwards could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Charles Alex Hamilton, age 47, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Hamilton could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charges.  Vernard Buckman, Jr., age 32, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person previously charged with a criminal domestic violence conviction, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(g)(9).  The maximum penalty Buckman could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

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

####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Joshua D. Korb., age 38, of Greenville, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to trafficking in counterfeit goods, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2320.  Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, 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 Korb ran an online EBay store called Steel-Town Memorabilia.  The investigation was initiated from a request by the National Football League (NFL) because of numerous complaints received by EBay and PayPal that Korb sold counterfeit NFL merchandise and sports memorabilia. 

Agents from the United States Postal Inspection Service made six undercover purchases from Steel-Town Memorabilia of NFL merchandise advertised as authentic.  Experts examined all the merchandise and determined all of the items were counterfeit because they were not manufactured by the trademark holder, not licensed or authorized by the NFL, contained a fake certificate of authenticity, or contained a forged signature.

Based on the results from the undercover buys, federal agents obtained and executed a search warrant on Korb’s Greenville residence.  Agents seized 2,911 pieces of NFL memorabilia. These items included counterfeit jerseys, forged signatures of current and former NFL players on NFL replica footballs and jerseys, and forged signatures of current and former NFL players on photos and posters. Agents also seized counterfeit certificate of authenticity seals.

In an interview with agents, Korb admitted that he purchased and sold counterfeit merchandise through his Steel-Town Memorabilia store. He told agents he signed the names of current and former NFL players to sports memorabilia and that he listed and sold some of the items as authentic NFL merchandise through Steel-Town Memorabilia. Korb started Steel-Town Memorabilia as a part-time business in 2006 after the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL but it expanded into a full-time business after the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.

Law enforcement estimates that Korb trafficked in more than $4 million worth of counterfeit goods before the search warrant shut down his business.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty a defendant can receive is a fine of $2,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security.  In addition, representatives of the NFL, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball also assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Jacques Andre Jackson and Willie Joseph Roberts, of Chester, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to federal drug charges associated with their participation in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas 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 during the guilty plea hearing established that, between April 2015 and March 2016, law enforcement utilized confidential sources to purchase quantities of crack cocaine from both Jackson and Roberts.  There convictions were the product of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chester Police Department.  The investigation focused on significant drug dealers and violent gang members in and around Chester County and resulted in federal charges against eight defendants.

Jackson and Roberts each face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release on the drug charges.

Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Travis Donald Fender, 26, of Summerville, South Carolina, was sentenced to a total of one hundred and seventy-one months imprisonment for his involvement in a drug deal where he shot two people.  Fender pled guilty in January, 2015, to one count of Discharge of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Offense and one Count of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Felon.  The Discharge of a Firearm offense carries a mandatory consecutive ten-year imprisonment sentence; the Illegal Possession of a Firearm offense carries up to ten years imprisonment. 

Information presented at Fender’s guilty plea and sentencing established that Fender engaged in a drug transaction with two individuals in June of 2013.  When Fender arrived at the transaction he robbed and shot both individuals, using a Glock 9mm handgun.  Both individuals survived the shooting.  At the time, Fender was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.  United States District Judge David C. Norton imposed the sentence.

The conviction and sentence are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.         

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Iquill Wayne Morrison, age 22, of Laurens, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville to 114 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release. Morrison pled guilty on February 28, 2017, to committing a Hobbs Act (armed) robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and for the use and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 25, 2016, Morrison entered the Drug-Lo Pharmacy located in Laurens brandishing a firearm and demanding money. Morrison pointed the gun at employees, robbed the store of approximately $305, and then fled on foot.  Officers responded quickly and found Morrison hiding nearby in the woods. Post-arrest, Morrison confessed to the armed robbery. Morrison showed officers where he disposed of the firearm and a backpack after the robbery. The recovered firearm Morrison used in the robbery was a loaded .38 caliber revolver.

The Laurens Police Department, the Laurens County Sheriff's Office, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.  

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Joshua Cain Sharpe, age 39, of Columbia, entered a guilty plea 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 methamphetamine, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that on November 20, 2015, the Columbia Police Department responded to a call of shoplifting at a clothing store on Bush River Road. When officers arrived, they encountered a vehicle driven by a woman matching the description of one of the two shoplifters. Upon approaching the vehicle, the police detected a smell of marijuana. Officers removed the woman from the vehicle and began searching the vehicle. Near the steering wheel, inside the fuse panel, police found a silver Raven Arms P-25 .25 caliber pistol with a magazine containing two bullets. The safety switch of the firearm was in the off position. Officers also located 11.2 grams of methamphetamine under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Additionally, the police located a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia including a black digital scale covered in white residue.

Officers entered the store and made contact with a man matching the description of the second shoplifter, Joshua Cain Sharpe. After waiving his rights, Sharpe admitted that the firearm and methamphetamine belonged to him. Sharpe also admitted to hiding the firearm and drugs in the vehicle without the woman’s knowledge. The woman also waived her rights and confirmed that she had no knowledge of the firearm and drugs. Pursuant to a cell phone search warrant, officers also observed text messages on the defendant’s phone referring to the buying and selling of drugs.

Sharpe is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior state convictions for trafficking in cocaine, burglary (two separate counts), and armed robbery. Sharpe was out on bond when this incident occurred.  

Sharpe faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and five years of supervised release on the offense of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

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 Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez, age 34, of Honduras, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to  Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2) and (b).  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, 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 at the change of plea hearing established that Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez was encountered by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations agents on February 27, 2017 at the Kershaw County Detention Center in Camden after he was arrested for unrelated charges. An investigation revealed that Alvarenga-Rodriguez is a citizen of Honduras. He had been deported three times pursuant to an order of removal and had been convicted of Improper Entry by an Alien, then re-entered the United States without permission.

U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the ICE-Homeland Security Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Columbia office, is prosecuting the case.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Brandon LaChristopher Golson, age 35, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 2:30am on March 26, 2017, troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint near Ramblin Road and Lake Francis Road in Lexington County when they encountered Golson, the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that came through the checkpoint. Troopers discovered that Golson’s license was suspended and when they had Golson exit the vehicle, they saw a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun in his rear waistband. Golson was arrested on state charges and a search incident to that arrest revealed a small amount of marijuana in his pants pocket.

Golson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include convictions for attempted burglary 2nd degree (2001), possession of a controlled substance (2005), possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2010), possession of cocaine (2011), and possession of controlled substance (2014). Additionally, Golson was previously convicted in Lexington County state court for unlawful carrying of a pistol in 2015 and in 2016.  

Golson faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol 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.

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Steven Don Martin, age 23, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Yesterday, Martin’s co-defendant, Melvin Cain Silas, Jr., plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition stemming from the same incident.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 10:28am on November 10, 2016, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on patrol on Farrow Road encountered a Jeep bearing Colorado license plates and learned that it had previously been reported stolen from Georgia. Once the deputy activated his blue lights and siren, the Jeep failed to stop and ultimately crashed. The four occupants attempted to flee on foot, but deputies were able to apprehend Martin, a passenger, and the driver, Silas. The other two passengers were able to get away. A search of the Jeep revealed that Martin had been in possession of a stolen loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun and a 30 round magazine. A third handgun was also found in the Jeep. Martin admitted, after waiving his rights, that he traded marijuana for the Glock handgun. A search incident to Silas’ arrest revealed a loaded Taurus .380 handgun in his front pants pocket. After waiving his rights, Silas admitted to stealing the Jeep from the side of the road in Blythewood and using a screwdriver to start it, and to buying the Taurus handgun off the street.

Martin is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd (two separate counts). Like Silas, Martin was on state supervision when this incident occurred.  

Martin and Silas each face a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.

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

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Kelly Sue Reynolds, age 51, of Mooresboro, North Carolina, pled guilty as charged in federal court this morning to five counts of income tax evasion.  The plea was accepted by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain.  Reynolds faces a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000.00.  Judge Cain will sentence Reynolds after the preparation of a Presentence Report.

Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Reynolds was the bookkeeper for a firm located in Cherokee County, South Carolina.  As part of her duties, Reynolds paid bills for the firm, including the payment of various federal taxes.  In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted an audit of the firm Reynolds worked for due to the fact that certain taxes had not been paid.  During the course of that audit, Reynolds admitted that over a five-year period she had embezzled $439,459.97 from her employer. 

Reynolds further stated that she had covered up the embezzlement by falsifying the books, showing that she had paid bills which she in fact had not paid.  Included in the unpaid bills were the missing taxes, which started the investigation.  It was further determined that Reynolds had not filed personal tax returns during those years that she was embezzling funds and that based upon her salary and the money she stole, she owed the IRS $117,300.06 in personal income taxes.  U.S. Attorney Drake explained that income taxes are due both on illegally obtained funds as well as those legitimately earned.  Reynolds has agreed to make restitution in full to both her employer and the IRS as well as agreeing to forfeit to the United States an amount equal to that which she stole from her employer.

U.S. Attorney Drake commended the IRS agents who investigated the case for their dedicated work in this and all of the cases they handle in South Carolina.  Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office prosecuted the case

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael Jones, age 58, formerly of Irmo, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia 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 at the change of plea hearing established that on July 8, 2015 at approximately 1:00 am in the morning, the Irmo Police Department responded to a domestic dispute in Irmo, South Carolina.  Upon arriving at the scene, a woman informed the officers that her husband, Michael Jones, the defendant, was trying to cut her grandson.  The younger male, who was standing on the front stoop of the house, informed the officers that his grandfather was trying to cut him with a piece of glass.   They told the officers the defendant was in the back bedroom.  Through the open front door, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come outside, to which there was no response.   The officers entered the home through a side door.  They saw a closed doorway at the end of the hallway.  Again, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come out of the room, which Jones refused. 

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

Upon entering the room, the officers located a .22 caliber Remington rifle loaded with .22 caliber ammunition lying next to Jones.  At the time of this incident, Jones had been previously convicted of 2 counts of common law robbery, which prevented him from possessing a firearm.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for this offense is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Irmo Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.

#####

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Melvin Cain Silas, Jr., age 27, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 10:28am on November 10, 2016, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on patrol on Farrow Road encountered a Jeep bearing Colorado license plates and determined that it had previously been reported stolen from Georgia. Once the deputy activated his blue lights and siren, the Jeep failed to stop and ultimately crashed. The four occupants attempted to flee on foot, but deputies were able to apprehend Silas, the driver, and one of the passengers. The other two passengers were able to get away. A search incident to arrest revealed a loaded Taurus .380 handgun in Silas’ front pants pocket. A search of the Jeep revealed two additional firearms, one of which was linked to the passenger that was apprehended. That passenger has also been charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. After waiving his rights, Silas admitted to stealing the Jeep from the side of the road in Blythewood and using a screwdriver to start it. Silas also admitted to buying the Taurus handgun off the street.

Silas is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which includes assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate counts), grand larceny, and burglary 2nd degree (two separate counts). Silas was on state supervision when this incident occurred.  

Silas faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.

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

#####
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Precias K. Freeman., age 35, of Lyman, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, to a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hydrocodone, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that beginning on October 2014 Freeman created fraudulent prescriptions and passed them in local pharmacies throughout the upstate of South Carolina.  The investigation revealed that Freeman usually tried to fill three prescriptions per day. Freeman's prescriptions were almost exclusively for 120 tablets of 10mg hydrocodone per prescription and were sold for $4 per pill. 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Freeman can receive is a fine of $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

#####