District of South Carolina

Contact Person: Lance Crick, (864) 282-2105

Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake, announced today that Juran Maghi Witherspoon, age 18, of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered a guilty on a charge stemming from his involvement in the pre-dawn break-in and theft of firearms from The Gun Shop in Simpsonville in October of 2016.

 

Witherspoon was previously indicted on December 13, 2016, by a federal grand jury. Prior to his indictment, Witherspoon was arrested on federal arrest warrants in early November for the offense and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since that date.

 

The facts presented by AUSA Bill Watkins at the guilty plea hearing this morning established that on October 13, 2016, at approximately 2:52 a.m., a burglary occurred at The Gun Shop and Indoor Range, a federal firearms licensee, located at 622 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681. Surveillance camera footage from the store depicted a minivan driving though the front of the store and then three subjects (one of which was Witherspoon), wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and carrying bags, entering the store. Witherspoon and his associates used a sledge hammer and a baseball bat to break the glass from display cases containing firearms before loading handguns into the bags. The three men were in the store for just under one minute before they fled in a getaway car and abandoned the van at the scene. A subsequent inventory of the missing guns revealed that a total of forty-three (43) handguns had been stolen to include various models of Auto Ordnance, Bersa, Glock, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and Taurus firearms. The van was identified as a white Chrysler Town & Country which had been reported stolen from Denver, North Carolina.

 

Ms. Drake said that the maximum penalty Witherspoon faces is 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, supervised release of 3 years, and a special assessment fee of $100.

 

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

 

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

 

 

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the Columbia Violent Gang Task Force (CVGTF), of which the City of Sumter is a member, arrested several defendants who are charged in an indictment with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine in the midlands of South Carolina. All defendants who were arrested this week will appear for bond hearings at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina, tomorrow at 10:00 am before the Honorable Shiva V. Hodges, United States Magistrate Judge.

 

The arrests this week mark the next step in the CVGTF’s efforts to combat violent crime linked to drug trafficking in the Sumter and Columbia areas of South Carolina.

 

The investigation began in 2015 when FBI, DEA, and City of Sumter Task Force Officers targeted the cocaine sources of supply who were selling cocaine to the defendants referenced above. Agents and Task Force Officers previously conducted arrest operations in May 2016, October 2015, August 2015, and June 2015. To date, this investigation has resulted in the convictions of fifty defendants for drug trafficking conspiracy charges and/or money laundering offenses.

 

Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in this case, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Sumter City Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Columbia Police Department.

 

This case represents another example of the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in South Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: William K. Witherspoon (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that John Timothy Cannon, a/k/a “Mr. JT.,” age 63, of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, was convicted Monday by a federal jury in Columbia, of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1). Cannon was also convicted of four (4) counts of using a telephone to arrange drug deals, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. of Columbia, presided over the trial and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

 

Evidence presented at the trial established that in 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating a violent street gang operating in Columbia, SC. They obtained wiretaps on a number of telephones and determined these gang members were involved in selling cocaine and crack cocaine. The FBI then tapped the telephone of the gang’s cocaine suppliers, which ultimately led to a major cocaine distributor in Batesburg, SC. The FBI then tapped the distributor’s telephone and learned that this supplier, starting in 2008, began to supply Cannon with cocaine for resale to local drug dealers. This arrangement continued until the Batesburg distributor was arrested, pled guilty and sentenced to federal prison in 2012. Thereafter, Cannon found another distributor and continued his sale of large amounts of cocaine to persons in Batesburg-Leesville, Columbia and surrounding areas. The evidence presented at trial included wiretap calls on which Cannon was overheard ordering three (3) ounces of cocaine multiple times a week during a sixty (60) day time period of the wiretaps. The evidence also included testimony from persons who purchased cocaine from Cannon.

 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for these offenses is Life imprisonment and a fine of $8,000,000.

 

The case was investigated by the Columbia Violent Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Columbia Police Department, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Jane B. Taylor of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

An associate of the Wildboys street gang in South Carolina has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for his role in a gang-related shooting.  
 
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Captain Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the announcement.  
 
Brian Manigo, aka B-Nasty, 25, of Green Pond, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.  Sentencing will be set before U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel of South Carolina.

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Manigo was an associate in the Wildboys, a violent criminal street gang based in South Carolina, with members operating in various South Carolina cities, including Summerville and Walterboro.  The defendant further admitted that Wildboys members and associates have committed a wide range of racketeering activity, including assault with dangerous weapons, murder, robbery and narcotics trafficking.

As part of his plea agreement, Manigo admitted his involvement in a shooting on May 14, 2011, at a car wash in Walterboro.  Another Wildboys associate drove the vehicle, allowing Manigo to shoot multiple times at an associate of the rival Cowboys gang in retaliation for an earlier shooting.  One individual was struck by the gunfire and sustained serious bodily injury.

Manigo and other alleged members or associates of the Wildboys were charged in an indictment with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and firearms offenses on Feb. 9, 2016.  
 
Separately, also on Feb. 9, 2016, nine members and associates of the Cowboys gang were charged in an indictment with racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses.  The indictment further alleges that, for a period of time, the Cowboys were aligned with the Wildboys.  To date, multiple members and associates of the Cowboys have pleaded guilty to charges in the indictment, including racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ATF, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.  The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting the cases in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.  

Contact: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007

WASHINGTON – An associate of the Wildboys street gang in South Carolina has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for his role in a gang-related shooting. 
 
Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Captain Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the announcement. 
 
Brian Manigo, aka B-Nasty, 25, of Green Pond, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.  Sentencing will be set before U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel of South Carolina.

According to admissions made in connection with his plea, Manigo was an associate in the Wildboys, a violent criminal street gang based in South Carolina, with members operating in various South Carolina cities, including Summerville and Walterboro.  The defendant further admitted that Wildboys members and associates have committed a wide range of racketeering activity, including assault with dangerous weapons, murder, robbery and narcotics trafficking.

As part of his plea agreement, Manigo admitted his involvement in a shooting on May 14, 2011, at a car wash in Walterboro.  Another Wildboys associate drove the vehicle, allowing Manigo to shoot multiple times at an associate of the rival Cowboys gang in retaliation for an earlier shooting.  One individual was struck by the gunfire and sustained serious bodily injury.

Manigo and other alleged members or associates of the Wildboys were charged in an indictment with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and firearms offenses on Feb. 9, 2016. 
 
Separately, also on Feb. 9, 2016, nine members and associates of the Cowboys gang were charged in an indictment with racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses.  The indictment further alleges that, for a period of time, the Cowboys were aligned with the Wildboys.  To date, multiple members and associates of the Cowboys have pleaded guilty to charges in the indictment, including racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ATF, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.  The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting the cases in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

# # #

17-130

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

Contact Person: Rob Sneed (843) 266-1600

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the United States Attorney’s Office is working to uphold the commitments in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted a meeting that included the Department of Justice Community Relations Service, the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to coordinate training for law enforcement on practical ways to communicate and serve the hard of hearing and deaf community.

 

U.S. Attorney Drake stated that, “Twenty-six years ago, Congress passed, and President George H. W. Bush signed, the ADA, ushering in a new era of civil rights for people with disabilities in this country.” She further stated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division enforces the ADA to ensure that people with disabilities can live, work, learn, vote, and play in their own communities – free from discrimination and able to participate in the mainstream of American life. Title II of the ADA has an Effective Communications requirement, where certain public entities, including law enforcement, must take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are “as effective” as communications with others. This includes providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary.

 

Attending the meeting were: two members of the South Carolina Association of the Deaf: Anita Steichen-McDaniel, Executive Director and Joy Hill, Administrative Assistant; Roger C. Williams, who is the Director of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health; Walter Atkinson, who is a Senior Conciliation Specialist with the Department of Justice Community Relations Service; and Wayne C. Harris, a senior training official at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Also attending from the U.S. Attorney’s Office were U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, Civil Division Chief Barbara Bowens, Affirmative Civil Rights Coordinator Rob Sneed, Criminal Civil Rights coordinator Alyssa Richardson, and Law Enforcement Coordinator Becky Plyer.

 

The group discussed issues facing South Carolina’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing community when interacting with law enforcement. They also discussed training programs and opportunities for law enforcement through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, the SC Association of the Deaf, and the South Carolina Department of Mental Health were eager to partner in the immediate future in additional training for law enforcement in order to enhance communication between law enforcement and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, collaborative efforts such as this are a “win-win” situation for South Carolina. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community can impart invaluable training and experience to law enforcement; and the law enforcement community will be better prepared to protect and serve persons hard of hearing or deaf. “The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy does terrific work with the resources it has to prepare our officers for the challenges on the streets. This meeting this week is just another example of how the Criminal Justice Academy leans in to the real life challenges that officers face on the street. Every dollar spent in training our officers at the CJA saves lives.”

 

#####

Contact Person: Nick Bianchi (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Neko Andre Tisdale, age 33, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel of Charleston sentenced Tisdale to ten years imprisonment, to be followed by two years’ supervised release.

 

Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that Tisdale was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by City of Charleston Police Department officers on June 12, 2014. After officers smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, they search the vehicle and found a Bersa Firestorm pistol under a child seat. Tisdale admitted that the firearm belonged to him. Tisdale was later arrested by City of Charleston Police on January 31, 2015, with another firearm by City of Charleston Police on January 31, 2015, days after being released on bond from his June 12, 2014, arrest.

 

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the City of Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact Person: J.D. Rowell (803) 929-3036

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ricardo Favela (age 44) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for two counts of aggravated sexual abuse on a child and one count of abusive sexual contact with a child. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia sentenced Favela to 360 months (30 years) incarceration. The defendant was also sentenced to a term of supervised release, sex offender rehabilitation, and will be required to register with the South Carolina Sex Offender register upon his release.

 

Evidence presented at the trial established that beginning sometime in early 2015 through April of 2016, Favela was the primary care taker of the child. Trial testimony included a videotaped confession conducted by the FBI, wherein Favela admitted to allowing the child to perform sexual acts on himself multiple times from early 2015 through 2016. Favela was convicted in October of 2016 on three of the four counts contained in his indictment.

 

United States Attorney Beth Drake noted that the US Attorney’s Office prosecutes sexual assault cases when they occur in areas of federal jurisdiction (military bases, national parks, etc.), and that the sexual assault cases receive the full focus of the capable investigators and prosecutors that work them. “This sentence reflects the repugnant nature of the offense and serves as a significant deterrent to all sex offenders.”

 

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fort Jackson Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys JD Rowell and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

 

#####

Contact Person: Stacey D. Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Karry Max Taylor, III, age 21, of Columbia plead guilty in federal court yesterday to making a hoax bomb threat, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1038(a). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

 

Evidence presented in court established that on January 4, 2016, three individuals, two in South Carolina and one in New York, each received a text message from an unknown South Carolina telephone number advising them that someone had placed a bomb in the parking lot of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Garners Ferry Road. One of the texts stated, “Hey Montana, this is Sosa. Omar said he put a bomb in the parking lot or something…in the VA hospital on Garners Ferry Road. I am scared and I don’t know what to do.” The three individuals each notified law enforcement authorities, who were able to discern that the texts were referring to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia. As a result, the Columbia Police Department, the Columbia Fire Department, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Police Department responded and placed the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in lock-down and swept the parking area for explosives. Law enforcement was on the scene for three hours and ultimately determined that the texts were a hoax as no explosive was located. Thereafter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, through investigative means, was able to link the texts back to a cellular telephone and email account belonging to Taylor. Agents approached Taylor, a volunteer with the Columbia Fire Department, and he admitted to sending the texts to random numbers in an effort to draw other fire engines to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in hopes that his fire station would then be called to respond to any other calls that occurred during that time frame.

 

Taylor faces a statutory maximum of five years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000, in addition to three years of supervised release. The statute also requires that Taylor reimburse the state and local agencies who responded to the incident on January 4, 2016. The case was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Columbia. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####

 

Contact Person: Nick Bianchi (843) 727-4381

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Tray Jabari Graves, age 29, of Garnett, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Senior United States District Judge Margaret B. Seymour of Charleston sentenced Graves to twenty-eight years imprisonment, to be followed by ten years supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement conducted multiple undercover crack and cocaine purchases from Graves and other co-conspirators.  On June 17, 2015, federal agents executed search warrants at Graves’ residence, as well as his mother’s residence which Graves used to conduct drug trafficking.  When the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team made entry into Graves’ residence, Graves shot Sgt. Mark Cobb of the SWAT team in the shoulder as officers opened Graves’ bedroom door.  After Graves was apprehended, agents recovered approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine, a kilogram of cocaine, three firearms, a drum magazine loaded with eighty-one rounds of ammunition, a money counter and over $6,500 from Graves’ bedroom.  Agents also recovered approximately 73 grams of crack cocaine, 214 grams of cocaine and 4 firearms from Graves’ mother’s residence.

Following Graves’ sentencing, United States Attorney Beth Drake stated, “Drug dealers armed with firearms put our community and our officers at risk as this case demonstrates.  Fortunately, Sgt. Cobb has recovered physically.  We extend our most sincere thanks to the officers who protect and serve, most particularly Sgt. Cobb and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team that made the arrest in this case.”  Jason Sandoval, Resident Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Charleston Office added, “violence in our community is often perpetrated by the same organizations distributing drugs.  The Tray Graves case is a telling and unfortunate example of a young man who made a choice to be a violent criminal.  Most disturbing among his felonious actions, Mr. Graves’ conduct could have cost a dedicated and honorable law enforcement officer his life.  Rule of law and justice have prevailed, however.  As a consequence, Mr. Graves will spend most of the next three decades in federal prison for violence and poison sown by his hand in the community.”

The case was investigated by agents of the DEA and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007

WASHINGTON – Two associates of the Wildboys street gang in South Carolina have pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for their roles in gang-related shootings.

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

Joshua Manigault, aka J-Rizzle and Rizzle Back, 30, and Damien Robinson, aka Sacked Up, 20, of Green Pond, South Carolina, pleaded guilty today to attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.  Sentencing will be set before U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel of South Carolina.

According to admissions made in connection with the pleas, Manigault and Robinson were associates in the Wildboys, a violent criminal street gang based in South Carolina, with members operating in various South Carolina cities, including Summerville and Walterboro.  Manigault and Robinson admitted that Wildboys members and associates have committed a wide range of racketeering activity, including assault with dangerous weapons, murder, robbery and narcotics trafficking.

Further, as part of their plea agreements, Manigault and Robinson admitted their involvement in a drive-by shooting in Walterboro on April 7, 2015.  Robinson drove past a residence where members of the rival Dooley Hill gang were believed to reside while Manigault and another associate of the Wildboys fired multiple shots.  One individual inside the home was hit by the gunfire and sustained serious bodily injury.

Manigault and Robinson were charged in an indictment with attempted murder in aid of racketeering and firearms offenses on Feb. 9, 2016.

Separately, also on Feb. 9, 2016, nine members and associates of the Cowboys gang were charged in an indictment with racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses.  The indictment further alleges that, for a period of time, the Cowboys were aligned with the Wildboys.  To date, multiple members and associates of the Cowboys have pleaded guilty to charges in the indictment, including racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ATF, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.  The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting the cases in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

###

17-112

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Richard Wallace Heald, III, age 26, of Greenville, pled guilty Wednesday in federal court in Anderson, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that child exploitation investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office downloaded, using a peer-to-peer filing sharing system, two child pornography videos from an IP address associated with the Defendant’s residence.

Based on this download, a search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence. A computer was seized from the Defendant’s room.  An analysis of the hard drive revealed a user name of “Ricky Heald.” The account appeared to be password protected, but agents were able to access the device.  Over 120 child pornography videos were found on the computer.

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Heald can receive is a fine of $250,000 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 and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

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

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Matthew Joseph Kelley, age 28, of Pickens, pled guilty this morning in federal court in Anderson for possession of a destructive device, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Kelley faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Kelley was arrested on federal firearms charges on August 23, 2016, and has remained in custody since his federal arrest.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on that August 19, 2016, members of the United States Marshals Task Force and deputies from the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, while attempting to serve an arrest warrant for an individual believed to be at a residence in Easley, came into contact with Kelley. When deputies arrived at the residence, several people were present and the owner allowed deputies to search the home. Deputies then received consent to search the belongings of other individuals at the home. When deputies searched a bag belonging to Kelley, they located a pipe bomb.

The United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Pickens County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Frederick Jermaine Porter, age 27, of Spartanburg, pled guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Anderson to a felon in possession of a firearm indictment.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Porter, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.  Porter was arrested on federal firearms charges on September 19, 2016, and has remained in custody since his federal arrest.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on September 15, 2016, Spartanburg Police Department Investigators approached Porter as he walked down the street based on a tip that he would be in possession of a pistol inside a book bag.  During the encounter, officers discovered a marijuana cigarette located on the ground by Porter and arrested him.  Once arrested, officers searched the book bag and found a loaded .38 caliber revolver.

Porter 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 some 90 defendants and seizure of approximately 110 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis and his office are crucial partners in this effort.  "The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is committed to removing illegal weapons from violent offenders and are very glad to be a part of this program and will offer any assistance we can."

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 Spartanburg Police Department 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 prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Giovonni Dequese Cecil, age 23, of Greenville, pled guilty this morning in federal court in Anderson to a felon in possession of a firearm indictment. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Cecil, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Cecil was arrested on federal firearms charges on June 16, 2016, and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since his federal arrest.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on June 14, 2016, members of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office responded to a call placed by Cecil from a local hotel room.  Cecil relayed to a dispatcher that he was a convicted felon who had guns and drugs in his room and wanted a ride to another hotel.  When the GCSO arrived at the hotel, Cecil invited them into his hotel room. Inside the room, responding deputies observed a shotgun and a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the room and during their search located a 12-gauge shotgun, a .270 caliber rifle along with .40 caliber ammunition, .270 caliber ammunition, 12-gauge shotgun shells, .9mm ammunition, and a quantity of drugs.

Cecil 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 some 90 defendants and seizure of approximately 110 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis and his office are crucial partners in this effort. "The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is committed to removing illegal weapons from violent offenders and are very glad to be a part of this program and will offer any assistance we can."

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.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael Lee Westbrook, age 40, of Greenville, pled guilty this morning in federal court in Anderson to a felon in possession of a firearm indictment.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Westbrook, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Westbrook was arrested on federal firearms charges on September 7, 2016, and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since his federal arrest.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on September 3, 2016, members of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office responded to a local residence in an attempt to locate Westbrook for a state probation violation. Upon their arrival, deputies located Westbrook located in the back yard and recovered a loaded Ruger .380 caliber pistol from his back pocket.

Westbrook was arrested federally as a part of "Operation Real-Time." The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate 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 some 90 defendants and seizure of approximately 110 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis and his office are crucial partners in this effort.  "The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is committed to removing illegal weapons from violent offenders and are very glad to be a part of this program and will offer any assistance we can."

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. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Benjamin Marcel Wright, age 23, of Greenville, pled guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Anderson for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Wright faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  Wright was arrested on federal firearms charges on September 15, 2016, and has remained in custody since his federal arrest.  Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on September 11, 2016, Greenville Police Officers were conducting foot patrol at a closed city park when they encountered Wright and a female engaged in physical activity.  When officers conducted a search of Wright, they recovered a loaded .9mm pistol from his pants, and drugs from a nearby vehicle. 

The Greenville Police Department 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 prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Benjamin Marcel Wright, age 23, of Greenville, pled guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Anderson for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Wright faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Wright was arrested on federal firearms charges on September 15, 2016, and has remained in custody since his federal arrest. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on September 11, 2016, Greenville Police Officers were conducting foot patrol at a closed city park when they encountered Wright and a female engaged in physical activity. When officers conducted a search of Wright, they recovered a loaded .9mm pistol from his pants, and drugs from a nearby vehicle.

The Greenville Police Department 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 prosecuting the case.

#####

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Santonio Dwayne Ramsey, age 26, of Appling, Georgia, plead guilty in federal court to escape, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 751(a). Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established that on the evening of July 19, 2016, the Alston Wilkes Society Residential Re-Entry Center, a contracted Federal Bureau of Prisons halfway house facility in Columbia, conducted a routine head count and found Ramsey absent. Ramsey, who had recently been transferred to the halfway house facility from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Williamsburg, South Carolina, was serving the remainder of a federal sentence stemming from a 2010 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Southern District of Georgia. After determining that Ramsey was not in a local hospital or detention center, the Federal Bureau of Prisons declared him to be in escape status, notified the United States Marshals Service, and a federal escape charge was obtained. Ramsey was arrested on state charges stemming from a domestic issue on November 2, 2016, in Columbia County, Georgia. After initially providing deputies a fake name, deputies determined Ramsey's true identity and the outstanding federal escape charge from South Carolina.

Ramsey faces a statutory maximum of five (5) years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000 on the escape charge. The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jeffrey Dean Daily, age 44, of Gaffney, pled guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Anderson to use of an explosive device to damage a building, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Daily faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on October 1, 2014, Daily used an explosive device to damage the Chesnee Car Wash, and on July 6, 2015, he used an explosive device to damage the Oasis Car Wash in Gaffney. On July 17, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Daily’s residence and found components like those used in the two explosions at the carwashes. Agents also recovered an intact homemade explosive device located in his truck.

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

#####

 

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Christopher Taggart, age 56, of Fountain Inn, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited that Taggart had attempted to download two images that contained child pornography. Taggart was approached by law enforcement and his computer was searched. A forensic exam of his computer revealed 136 images and two videos of child pornography.

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

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

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

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cory Thomas Sargent, age 23, of Barnwell, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Brandishing a Weapon During a Crime of Violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).  United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, sentenced Sargent to 7 years.

Evidence established that on January 20, 2016, Sargent walked into the lobby of the Allendale Post Office and asked for a price list for money orders. Upon being advised of the prices, Sargent left the post office only to return a few minutes later armed with a firearm. Sargent pointed the firearm at the postmaster and demanded all the money orders. Sargent subsequently received 36 blank postal money orders from the postmaster and fled on foot.  Sargent was indicted on April 5, 2016 and entered a guilty plea on July 6, 2016.

The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Allendale Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office, Barnwell Police Department, Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Probation, Pardon and Parole Services.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007

Washington – Two members of the Cowboys street gang have pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder in aid of racketeering for their roles in gang-related shootings in South Carolina.

Acting Assistant Attorney General David Bitkower 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; Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Field Office; 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 of the Charleston County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office; Captain Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina, Police Department; Director Jerry Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the announcement.

Christopher Sean Brown, aka Rougish, 23, of Walterboro, pleaded guilty today to attempted murder in aid of racketeering activity.  Matthew Rashaun Jones, aka Boogie Mac, 23, also of Walterboro, pleaded guilty today to racketeering conspiracy.  Both defendants admitted their involvement and membership in the Cowboys street gang.

According to admissions made in connection with the plea agreements, the Cowboys is a violent criminal street gang operating in South Carolina since at least 2009, with members who resided in an area known as the “Eastside” of Walterboro.  Members of the Cowboys show their allegiance by wearing red, white and blue clothing and carrying rags in these colors, including depictions of the American flag.  Further, members of the Cowboys greet each other and show their membership in the gang using a set of hand-signs intended to evoke the shape of a “b.”  This hand sign also shows an affiliation with the “Bloods” gang.  Members of the Cowboys also show allegiance to the gang by having the words “Cowboy(s)” or “GMC” tattooed to some part of their body.

As part of their plea agreements, Brown and Jones admitted that during the time of the conspiracy, they and other members of the Cowboys were involved in robberies, attempted murder and narcotics trafficking.  On or about May 30, 2013, Brown and Jones participated in a drive-by shooting.  Specifically, Brown and Jones, both passengers in the vehicle, admitted that they fired multiple shots at a residence where suspected members of the Dooley Hill gang – a rival of the Cowboys – were believed to reside.

As part of his plea agreement, Jones admitted that on or about May 12, 2011, he shot at a person whom he believed was an associate of a rival gang, which had an ongoing dispute with the Cowboys.  This shooting led to a retaliatory shooting on May 14, 2011, during which an innocent bystander was shot and injured.

Brown, Jones and seven other members and associates of the Cowboys gang were charged in a Feb. 9, 2016, indictment with racketeering conspiracy and related offenses including attempted murder in aid of racketeering and firearms offenses.  An indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ATF, HSI, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, the Walterboro Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, the Summerville Police Department and the First Circuit Solicitor’s Office are investigating the cases.  The Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section is prosecuting indictments against the Cowboys gang in partnership with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

#####

17-082

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

Contact Person: Stacey Haynes (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Robert Da’Quan Johnson, age 21, of Rock Hill, South Carolina was sentenced today after pleading guilty last year to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Johnson to the high end of the advisory guidelines, which was 27 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Evidence presented in court established that on the evening of September 7, 2015, an officer with the Rock Hill Police Department was on routine patrol when he observed two vehicles traveling down Mount Holly Road at a high rate of speed. The officer’s radar clocked the vehicles traveling 70 mph in a 50 mph zone. Upon activating his blue light and siren and stopping both vehicles, the officer found Johnson to be the driver and sole occupant of one vehicle and a female friend of Johnson’s was found to be the driver and sole occupant of the other vehicle. After asking Johnson to exit his vehicle, a Rohm .22 caliber firearm was found in Johnson’s pants pocket and a baggy of .22 caliber ammunition found in Johnson’s vehicle. Johnson, a local gang member, was placed under arrest for state charges for carrying an unlawful weapon and speeding. The case was referred to federal authorities for prosecution as Johnson, who was on state Youthful Offender Act parole at the time, is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his 2014 state felony conviction for criminal conspiracy to shoot into an occupied dwelling.

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 Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.

#####

 

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jeffrey Aaron Betrand, of South Carolina, was sentenced late last week to 33 months imprisonment in federal court. In August of 2016, Betrand pled guilty to the sole count in the indictment, Mailing Threatening Communications, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 876.  After Betrand completes the term of imprisonment, he will be on federal supervised release for 3 years.

The investigation of the case revealed that Mr. Betrand was incarcerated in a South Carolina state prison for a charge involving a woman who was also one of the victims in this case. He sent several letters to this victim via the U.S. Mail including one in which he threatened a male friend of the victim. After law enforcement was made aware of the letters, investigators with the SC Department of Corrections searched Betrand’s cell and found a drawing depicting a map of the victim’s apartment and a plan to kill a male friend of the victim.  The plan included a laundry list of items needed to carry out the violent act.

The case was investigated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Camden Police Department and the US Postal Inspection Service.  Assistant United States Attorney John C. Potterfield of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Shane Douglas Sichting, Jr., age 48, originally from Montana, and recently serving a 10-year sentence at Federal Correctional Institute, Edgefield, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court by United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston, to 135 months imprisonment, on charges of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and retaliating against an informant, violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1958(a) and 1513(a)(1).

On September 1, 2016, Sichting entered a guilty plea to the charges.  Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Sichting was tried, convicted and sentenced in United States District Court for the District of Montana on a murder for hire charge in 2007.  Sichting’s intended victim was his now former wife.  The individual he hired to kill his wife reported Sichting’s actions to the FBI and testified at his trial in Montana. Following his conviction, Sichting was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and was serving the last part of that sentence at FCI, Edgefield in July 2015.

During July 2015, Sichting approached another inmate at FCI, Edgefield about killing his former wife and the person he hired to kill her.  The inmate agreed to help Sichting but instead contacted the FBI and advised them of Sichting’s intentions to hire someone to kill his former wife and the informant/witness against him.  Sichting specifically wanted the murders to take place prior to his anticipated release to a halfway house in January 2016.

The FBI devised a plan to have the inmate provide Sichting with a telephone number for a “hitman” that was willing to do the murders.  Sichting was to contact the hitman by telephone to make arrangements for the murders.  In actuality, the hitman was an FBI employee acting in an undercover capacity.

Through these telephone calls and mail correspondence, Sichting provided the hitman with confidential information relating to the intended victims.  Sichting used predetermined coded language to communicate with the hitman, referring to each of the intended victims as certain makes of cars.  He also negotiated the price to be paid for each of the murders.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Prisons.  Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.

#####

The Justice Department announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against former School Resource Officer (SRO) Benjamin Fields for the physical force used in handling a student at Spring Valley High School on Oct. 26, 2015.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI met today with the student’s family and their representative to inform them of this decision.

Federal authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation into the use of force by Fields on Oct. 26, 2015, when arresting the student for violating South Carolina’s law against disturbing schools.  Working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, federal authorities conducted witness interviews, evaluated video footage of the incident, reviewed training records, examined the policies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) and consulted with use of force experts.

A team of experienced federal prosecutors and FBI agents considered whether Fields violated federal law by willfully using unreasonable force against the student at Spring Valley High School.  Under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right.  To establish willfulness, federal authorities must show that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.  This is the highest standard of intent imposed by law.  Mistake, misperception, negligence or poor judgment are not sufficient to establish a federal criminal civil rights violation.

After a careful and thorough investigation, the team of experienced federal prosecutors and FBI agents determined that the evidence was insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Fields willfully deprived the Spring Valley High School student of a constitutional right.  This decision is limited strictly to an application of the high legal standard required to prosecute the case under the federal civil rights statute; it does not reflect an assessment of any other aspect of the incident involving Fields and the Spring Valley High School student.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the Civil Rights Division and the FBI are committed to investigating allegations of civil rights violations by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources required to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are fully and completely investigated.  The department will aggressively prosecute criminal civil rights violations whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.

The Justice Department has addressed issues that the Oct. 26, 2015, incident brought to light in other ways. The department’s Office of Justice Programs reached a comprehensive agreement with RCSD to promptly enact critical changes to its SRO program in order to ensure full compliance with federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against students based on race, color, national origin and disability.  As part of this settlement, the RCSD is required to provide intensive, annual training for all SROs on de-escalation, bias-free policing and youth development and to develop policies to minimize school-based arrests. More recently, the department filed a statement of interest in the case of Kenny et al. v. Wilson et al. articulating the position that laws invoked to charge juveniles – like the law against disturbing schools invoked in this case – must include clear standards to ensure that they are enforced consistently and free from discrimination. In the filing, the department explained that vague statutes enforced arbitrarily contribute to the “school-to-prison pipeline,” the cycle of harsh school discipline that brings young people into the justice system and disproportionately affects, among others, students of color and students with disabilities. The department also remains committed to improving all students’ sense of safety in educational settings. As part of that effort, the department is monitoring robust settlement agreements with school districts across the country to combat discriminatory school discipline practices that prevent children from reaching their full potential.  Additionally, in September 2016, together with the Department of Education, the Justice Department announced a series of resources to aid state and local education and law enforcement agencies in responsibly incorporating SROs in the learning environment.

Contact: Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against former School Resource Officer (SRO) Benjamin Fields for the physical force used in handling a student at Spring Valley High School on Oct. 26, 2015.

Officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the FBI met today with the student’s family and their representative to inform them of this decision.

Federal authorities conducted a comprehensive investigation into the use of force by Fields on Oct. 26, 2015, when arresting the student for violating South Carolina’s law against disturbing schools.  Working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, federal authorities conducted witness interviews, evaluated video footage of the incident, reviewed training records, examined the policies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) and consulted with use of force experts.

A team of experienced federal prosecutors and FBI agents considered whether Fields violated federal law by willfully using unreasonable force against the student at Spring Valley High School.  Under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right.  To establish willfulness, federal authorities must show that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.  This is the highest standard of intent imposed by law.  Mistake, misperception, negligence or poor judgment are not sufficient to establish a federal criminal civil rights violation.

After a careful and thorough investigation, the team of experienced federal prosecutors and FBI agents determined that the evidence was insufficient to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Fields willfully deprived the Spring Valley High School student of a constitutional right.  This decision is limited strictly to an application of the high legal standard required to prosecute the case under the federal civil rights statute; it does not reflect an assessment of any other aspect of the incident involving Fields and the Spring Valley High School student.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the Civil Rights Division and the FBI are committed to investigating allegations of civil rights violations by law enforcement officers and will continue to devote the resources required to ensure that all allegations of serious civil rights violations are fully and completely investigated.  The department will aggressively prosecute criminal civil rights violations whenever there is sufficient evidence to do so.

The Justice Department has addressed issues that the Oct. 26, 2015, incident brought to light in other ways. The department’s Office of Justice Programs reached a comprehensive agreement with RCSD to promptly enact critical changes to its SRO program in order to ensure full compliance with federal civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against students based on race, color, national origin and disability. As part of this settlement, the RCSD is required to provide intensive, annual training for all SROs on de-escalation, bias-free policing and youth development and to develop policies to minimize school-based arrests. More recently, the department filed a statement of interest in the case of Kenny et al. v. Wilson et al. articulating the position that laws invoked to charge juveniles – like the law against disturbing schools invoked in this case – must include clear standards to ensure that they are enforced consistently and free from discrimination.  In the filing, the department explained that vague statutes enforced arbitrarily contribute to the “school-to-prison pipeline,” the cycle of harsh school discipline that brings young people into the justice system and disproportionately affects, among others, students of color and students with disabilities.  The department also remains committed to improving all students’ sense of safety in educational settings.  As part of that effort, the department is monitoring robust settlement agreements with school districts across the country to combat discriminatory school discipline practices that prevent children from reaching their full potential.  Additionally, in September 2016, together with the Department of Education, the Justice Department announced a series of resources to aid state and local education and law enforcement agencies in responsibly incorporating SROs in the learning environment. 

# # #

17-062

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.  IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE USE THE CONTACTS IN THE MESSAGE OR CALL THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT 202-514-2007.

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Tony Raymond Ouzts, age 47, and Daniel Neil Alexander, age 49, of Hull, Georgia, and Anderson, South Carolina, respectively, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina. Ouzts pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924. Alexander pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Ouzts and Alexander, over numerous months, had conspired to distribute in excess of 6500 grams of methamphetamine. An investigation into the activity of the two men revealed that Ouzts was bringing regular deliveries of methamphetamine from Georgia to Alexander, in Anderson, SC. At the time of arrest, Ouzts was found to be additionally in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm and a Romarm/Cugir AK-47 pistol.

Ms. Drake stated that the defendants face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison as well as a fine of $10,000,000.

Ouzts and Alexander were arrested 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 Anderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office; 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 90 defendants and seizure of approximately 110 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 case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms working in conjunction with the Anderson Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Tyronzo Alexander Walker, age 41, of Greenville, was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court by United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston, to a term of 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing last year and the sentencing hearing yesterday, established that on March 3, 2016, members of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Henderson Avenue. During the search deputies located several firearms, including a Taurus 9mm pistol, as well as quantities of marijuana and cocaine. Walker pled guilty to possession of the Taurus 9mm pistol.

Walker 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 some 90 defendants and seizure of approximately 110 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis and his office are crucial partners in this effort.  "The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is committed to removing illegal weapons from violent offenders and are very glad to be a part of this program and will offer any assistance we can."

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. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Scott Linnell, age 36, of Greer, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

 

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

 

Based on this incident and others, further investigation traced the IP address involved in the illicit activity to Linnell’s home. On May 27, 2014, a federal search warrant was executed at the home. Computers and other devices were seized. A forensic exam of the devices seized revealed 6000 still images and 16 videos containing child pornography.

 

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

 

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

 

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

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100
 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Alton Davis, age 47, of Greenville, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on October 14, 2015, an undercover officer downloaded from defendant two child porn images using peer-to-peer software. Based on this download, law enforcement determined his IP address, street address, and obtained a search warrant.
 

On November 10, 2015, the warrant was executed at Defendant’s home. He was present and agreed to talk. He admitted to using his computer and the internet to search for pornography and using search terms associated with child pornography. He admitted to viewing images of child porn on his computer.
 

Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Davis can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100. He is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years because of a prior child pornography conviction.
 

The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
 

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

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Patricia G. Sullivan, age 66, and Sharon D. Johnson, age 50, both of Columbia, pled guilty yesterday in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

 

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Patricia Sullivan, who formerly served as postmaster for Greenville County, and Sharon Johnson were co-conspirators in a scheme to defraud various individuals. Sullivan operated a company called HYPD Publishing (“HYPD”). In March 2009, HYPD published The Struggle of Love written by Sharon Johnson.

 

Shortly after publication of Johnson’s book, Sullivan and Johnson began to spin a story that the producer Tyler Perry had bought the rights to The Struggle of Love and would be making a movie or reality TV show staring Johnson. Victims were told that Sullivan and Johnson were on the verge of great wealth, but needed bridge loans or some other form of financial assistance until the project with Perry reached fruition. Sullivan and Johnson promised the victims large returns in exchange for the loans and/or investments.
 

To make themselves look the part of successful individuals, Sullivan and Johnson squatted in several mansions, took photos, and posted them to Facebook. They also created fictitious documents from an accounting firm that “documented” the sale of the book and a huge payout to come, as well as a bogus Wells Fargo statement that showed millions of dollars as pending.
 

Of course, there was no book deal with Tyler Perry and the victims lost the money loaned and/or invested. Law enforcement estimates that the loss to the victims is approximately $300,000.
 

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

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

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

 

COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that multiple individuals this week entered guilty pleas this week on federal gun charges. Guilty pleas and sentencing hearings are bifurcated in the federal system and United States District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the guilty plea hearings this week. Judge Hendricks will sentence the defendants at a later date after a presentence investigation report is prepared by United States Probation.

 

These cases represent a small snapshot of “Real Time,” an ongoing local, state, and federal initiative that expedites the identification, arrest, detention, and federal prosecution of repeat offenders arrested with firearms. The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Greenville community.

 

In addition to Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Real Time’s core partners include the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, 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.

 

Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller and his department were one of the first partners on board for this initiative. “This multi-agency partnership endeavors to keep our communities safe and reduce firearms violence through ‘real time’ identification of dangerous individuals who seek to disrupt our streets and communities with firearms-driven violence.”

 

Acting 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 picking the case up, “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”

 

Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 90 defendants and seizure of over 110 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

 

Guilty Pleas, January 11, 2017:

 

United States v. Kyle Lamar Carrol:

 

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea hearing established that on October 10, 2016, Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to the Spring Grove Apartments, in reference to a call stating people were shooting at the apartment complex. When GCSO arrived and began their investigation, they recovered numerous spent shell casings from the parking lot and viewed surveillance video, which enabled them to identify possible suspects. GCSO charged Carrol and during questioning, Carrol admitted discharging a firearm in the parking lot of the apartment complex. Though no weapons were recovered, prior to this incident date, Carrol had previously been convicted of a crime for which he could have received more than a year in prison, prohibiting his possession of firearms or ammunition, pursuant to federal law.

 

Sentencing will occur at a later date. The case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

United States v. Joseph Martin Hunter and Sir Carlton Anthony Baker:

 

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea hearing established that on October 11, 2016, Hunter and Baker possessed and sold a Ruger .22 caliber rifle and .22 caliber ammunition to Greenville Police Department confidential informant in an undercover operation. Hunter and Baker were arrested the next day. Prior to this incident date, Hunter and Baker had each previously been convicted of crimes for which they could have received more than a year in prison, prohibiting their possession of firearms or ammunition, pursuant to federal law.

 

Sentencing will occur at a later date. The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

United States v. Demetrius O’Brian Hunter:

 

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea hearing established that, on June 19, 2016, a Greenville Police Officer stopped a vehicle driven by Hunter for running a stop sign. During the stop, due to observations made by the officer, the officer conducted a brief search of Hunter as well as of the inside of the vehicle.

 

During that limited search, the officer recovered a loaded .9mm magazine in the center console. Based on the recovery of the ammunition, a search of the entire car was performed and the officers recovered a loaded .9mm pistol and a loaded .40 caliber pistol. Prior to this incident date, Hunter had previously been convicted of a crime for which he could have received more than a year in prison, prohibiting his possession of firearms or ammunition, pursuant to federal law.

 

Sentencing will occur at a later date. The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that James Lee Sarratt, Jr., age 49, of Spartanburg, entered a guilty plea this morning in federal court in Greenville for illegally possessing a firearm. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the guilty plea hearing and will impose a sentence after a presentence investigation report is prepared by United States Probation.

Sarratt, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. Sarratt was arrested on federal firearms charges on October 31, 2016, and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since his federal arrest.

The facts presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on the morning of September 30, 2016, members of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) responded to a domestic disturbance involving a firearm at a residence in

Spartanburg. When deputies arrived at the residence, witnesses alerted SCSO that Sarratt had a firearm. Sarratt did not have a firearm on him when deputies approached him but Sarratt later admitted he put the firearm in a truck at the residence. Inside the bedroom of the residence, a male was on the floor with a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

One witness told SCSO that during an argument in the bedroom, with the child present, Sarratt retrieved his .40 caliber pistol from under the mattress. Ultimately one witness attempted to grab Sarratt’s arm. The gun went off and the witness fell to the ground, shot in the abdomen. Sarratt then left the residence to place his firearm in his truck.

A search warrant obtained for the property yielded a black Hi-Point JCP, .40 caliber pistol loaded with seven (7) rounds of Winchester .40 caliber ammunition in a pick-up truck and a box containing fourteen (14) rounds of Winchester .40 caliber ammunition in the bedroom.

Sarratt’s case was investigated by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The case is assigned to First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick.

Sarratt’s plea was the first one to emanate out of “Home Front”, a focused deterrence-based initiative to combat domestic violence led by 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette. The initiative, launched last month has the support and partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Modelled after a program started in High Point, NC, members of the Home Front task force began earlier this fall, meeting with representatives from every police department in Spartanburg county as well as the Sheriff’s Office. The Spartanburg County State Probation office and victim’s advocate stalwart, SAFE Homes, also serve as critical partners in this effort.

Under the guidance of Solicitor Barnette and High Point (NC) Chief Marty Sumner, Home Front has quickly gone from concept to reality. High Point’s model and research suggests that early intervention is key in stopping the cycle of violence. The Home Front strategy identifies and focuses on offenders at the earliest stages of offending, before their violent conduct is entrenched and escalating.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, domestic violence is a community crime problem that costs the United States over $5.8 billion every year. It is a major drain on law enforcement resources as domestic violence generates a high volume of calls and repeated calls to the same location. Domestic violence homicides make up 40–50 percent of all murders of women in the United States. Women who have experienced a history of domestic violence report more health problems than other women and they have a greater risk for substance abuse, unemployment, alcoholism, and suicide attempts.

Research shows that the repeat domestic violence offender tends to have a significant criminal history that includes a wide range of both domestic violence and non-domestic violence offenses. Most of these offenders are readily identified as they are known to the criminal justice system. The Home Front initiative exposes the repeat domestic violence offender to sanctions because of his pattern of criminal behavior.

According to the 2015 Violence Policy Center When Men Murder Women report, South Carolina led the nation in rates of women murdered by men. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the victims were killed with a firearm and ninety-six percent (96%) of women murdered were killed by someone they knew.

In Spartanburg County during the 2015 calendar year, SAFE Homes serviced 6726 victims of domestic violence. In the same time frame, the Spartanburg Police Department charged 907 domestic violence cases and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office charged 1068 domestic violence cases. There were fourteen (14) domestic related deaths in Spartanburg County in 2015.

Solicitor Barnette has had enough. “Domestic violence is violence, period. It continues to plague our community--so costly and harmful to families and children, persisting year after year. It is time for these offenders to get our best shot—our best efforts. That is Home Front.”

United States Attorney Beth Drake agrees. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms welcome the opportunity to partner with Solicitor Barnette and state law enforcement, and to use federal gun laws to pull violent offenders who are abusing their families and loved ones out of the community. The goal is simple – stop the abuse, or swift and sure, the full force of a coordinated law enforcement effort will come to bear to stop you from abusing. Home Front takes the burden of addressing abusers from the victims and shifts it to us – a very engaged group of local, state, and federal law enforcement.”

The Home Front task force began a thorough, eight-step implementation process in the fall. The steps included training officers, synchronizing the coding of calls among the law enforcement agencies to harmonize communication--to create a back stop of sorts so that no domestic calls or offenders slip through the cracks among the sixteen municipal law enforcement entities in Spartanburg County. Very early in the implementation process, the task force began creating a comprehensive list of domestic violence offenders from the previous twelve months of arrests in Spartanburg County for domestic-related incidents. Offenders were categorized from most dangerous (Class A), repeat offender (Class B), first time DV arrest (Class C), and any non-arrest domestic violence interface with law enforcement (Class D). For the most serious or repeat offenders, pending cases are fast-tracked to ATF and the US Attorney’s Office for immediate federal prosecution or prioritized for expedited state prosecution. This process includes creating an enhanced system of tracking for offenders who are notified at any level or category. Custom notification letters, hand-delivered by law enforcement to offenders within 48 hours of the initial law enforcement contact, serve to alert offenders that they are on the Home Front radar going forward as well as detailing presumptive sentences for future acts of violence or prohibited behavior.

Solicitor Barnette is optimistic about the collaboration and is confident the focus and dedication of this task force will not waiver. “Securing our communities and ensuring that victims and children can feel safe in their own homes—breaking this horrific cycle of violence, that is our charge.”

Home Front Task Force:

City of Spartanburg Police Department
City of Campobello
City of Pacolet Police Department
City of Chesnee Police Department
City of Cowpens Police Department
City of Duncan Police Department
City of Greer Police Department
City of Inman Police Department
City of Landrum Police Department
City of Lyman Police Department
City of Wellford Police Department
City of Woodruff Police Department
Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Police Department
Victim Advocates
Victim Services Providers
Behavioral Health
SC Dept. of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services
U. S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office
SAFE Homes
Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee, & Union

#####

 

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

 

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that a sentencing hearing has been set for Thursday, January 12, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. in the federal courthouse in Greenville in the case of the United States v. Melvin Boswell, Jr. Melvin Boswell, Jr., age 48, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty on July 12, 2016, to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

Evidence presented by the government during the guilty plea hearing last year established that on August 20, 2015, Greenville Police Department Officers arrested Boswell at a business in Greenville County after Boswell removed his ankle monitor while on bond for other charges. While searching Boswell’s person and a rental car Boswell had driven to the business, police found: (1) 10 firearms (one of which was stolen); (2) numerous pieces of ammunition; (3) in excess of $70,000 worth of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin; (4) digital scales; and (5) in excess of $7000 in U.S. Currency. At the time Boswell possessed these items, he was a convicted felon.

 

Boswell was arrested during the initiation 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 Greenville community. In addition to GPD and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, 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 70 defendants and seizure of approximately 100 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.

 

Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller and his department were one of the first partners on board for this initiative. “This multi-agency partnership endeavors to keep our communities safe and reduce firearms violence through ‘real time’ identification of dangerous individuals who seek to disrupt our streets and communities with firearms-driven violence.”

 

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 picking the case up, “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 agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration working in conjunction with the Greenville Police Department and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andy Moorman of the Greenville office handled the case.

 

#####

Contact Person: Lia Bantavani, lia.bantavani@usdoj.gov, 704-277-4259

CHARLESTON, S.C. – U.S. Attorney Beth Drake of the District of South Carolina announced today that after three hours of deliberation, a federal jury in Charleston sentenced Dylann Storm Roof, 22, to death. On Dec. 15, 2016, the same jury had convicted Roof of 33 counts of federal hate crimes, obstruction of religious exercise, and firearms charges, for killing and attempting to kill African-American worshipers at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, also known as “Mother Emanuel.”

District Judge Richard M. Gergel of the District of South Carolina presided over the trial and will hold the formal sentencing on January 11, 2017, at 9:30 a.m.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; Special Agent in Charge Alphonso Norris of the FBI’s Columbia Division; Chief Mark Keel of South Carolina’s Law Enforcement Division (SLED); and Chief Gregory G. Mullen of the Charleston Police Department join U.S. Attorney Drake in making today’s announcement.

“Motivated by racist hatred, Dylann Roof murdered and attempted to murder innocent African-American parishioners as they worshiped in the historic Mother Emanuel church,” said U.S. Attorney Drake. “But, contrary to Roof’s desire to sow the seeds of hate, his acts did not tear this community apart. Instead of agitating racial tensions as he had hoped, Roof’s deadly attack inside Mother Emanuel became an attack on all of us, and the community stood in solidarity. Now, following a trial, the jury has rendered a sentence that underscores the severity of his crimes. We here in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice want to express our condolences to the victims and their loved ones, and to commend the dedication and hard work by the jury, the law enforcement officers that worked the case, the victim advocate team, and the court to ensure a fair and just process.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the outstanding cooperative effort of our FBI Special Agents and professional support staff; our local and state partners – the Charleston Police Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and the United States Attorney’s Office, which began on the horrific night of June 17, 2015,” said Special Agent in Charge Norris. “Their excellent work has brought about, what we hope, is another step toward healing for the families of the victims and the Charleston community.”

Following the guilty verdict, the sentencing phase of the trial began on January 4, 2017. Today, the jury sentenced Roof to death on all eighteen capital counts, including nine counts of obstruction of exercise of religion resulting in death (one count for each victim killed in the attack), and nine counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to his hate crimes and obstructions of religious exercise (one count for each of the nine victims).

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Drake also thanked the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Marshal’s Service; the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; the Charleston Fire Department; the Shelby Police Department; and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office for their invaluable assistance over the course of the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jay Richardson and Nathan Williams of the District of South Carolina, Deputy Chief Richard Burns of the Justice Department’s Capital Case Section and Special Litigation Counsel Stephen Curran and Trial Attorney Mary Hahn of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Contact Person: Carrie Fisher Sherard (864) 282-2100

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

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation stating: “I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States . . . will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.” The Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863.

 

A 21st Century form of servitude is lurking in the shadows of our economy - human trafficking. Human trafficking is the modern-day variation of the slavery that our country forbid so many years ago. Human trafficking eradicates the liberties that are central to American society, and strikes at the very core of our most basic values, those of freedom and choice.

 

Where we once thought human trafficking existed only beyond our borders or in another time, we now know South Carolina is not immune to its ills. Now more than ever, the U.S. Department of Justice through the United States Attorney’s Office is committed to rescuing human trafficking victims and prosecuting traffickers. The United States has provided the U. S. Attorney’s Office and its partners with strong and effective tools to bring to justice those who commit these most offensive human rights violations.

 

Consistent with the authority given to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we recognize that the most effective approach to combating human trafficking violations in South Carolina is one that engages all segments of our society. Traffickers prey on men, women, and children - both foreign nationals and United States citizens. The exploitation of these individuals varies from the forced labor of workers in the agricultural and service industries to the forced commercial sex trade and many other forms - all yielding shameful profits to the traffickers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted human trafficking cases from the coast to the midlands to the upstate. Building on these successes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to strengthen relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement, governmental agencies, and non-governmental agencies to rescue more human trafficking victims and effectively prosecute these human rights violations.

 

Through the vigorous prosecution of human traffickers and in conjunction with the FBI and DHS HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will to work to make South Carolina an area inhospitable to and intolerant of human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is quite simply, a form of modern-day slavery, and the sexual abuse of underage victims only adds to the heinous nature of such crimes,” said Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Nick Annan. “Over the past two years HSI has rescued nearly 1,000 trafficking victims nationwide with many of them often hidden in plain sight. HSI will continue our relentless pursuit to investigate and seek prosecution of criminal traffickers while ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need.”

 

The FBI stated: “Human trafficking is a very real problem in South Carolina that is being addressed by the FBI and our law enforcement partners and community organizations in South Carolina. The victims are frequently fearful and reluctant to talk to us. We ask that anyone with any information about human trafficking contact the FBI.”

 

Warning Signs of Human Trafficking

• Minor engaged in commercial sex activities

• Signs of physical abuse

• Deprivation of food, water, sleep, or medical care

• Someone whose communications are restricted

• A large number of occupants in one residence

• Someone who is rarely seen outside their residence

• Individual not allowed to socialize or attend religious services

• Always accompanied when outside the residence

• Outside locks on doors and windows to prevent someone from leaving the residence

• No travel documents for identification, i.e., ID card, birth certificate, passport, visa, Social Security card

To report suspected human trafficking, the public should contact their local law enforcement office or the national human trafficking hotline at 1-888-3737-888.

 

#####

Contact Person: Winston Holliday (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Theodore Fulton, age 61, of South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of Columbia sentenced Fulton to 110 months of incarceration. Fulton also was ordered to forfeit a house worth over $400,000 and two Lexus automobiles, all purchased in part with proceeds from his drug dealing.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that between 2008 and 2014, Fulton was the ringleader of a conspiracy that distributed over 31,000 Oxycodone tablets in the Columbia area. Fulton would recruit co-conspirators as patients to go to a particular doctor, complain of pain, and obtain Oxycodone prescriptions. Fulton would then buy the pills from them and sell those pills for profit from another conspirator’s residence.

Co-conspirators Daryal Hipp, age 60, and Calvin Sims, age 55, both of Columbia, were convicted after a trial held in December 2015. Hipp has been sentenced to 50 months in prison. Sims awaits sentencing.

Previously, John Kennedy, age 52, was sentenced to 110 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorneys Winston Holliday and Ben Garner of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a McLaughlin, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault by Striking, Beating, and Wounding was sentenced on December 20, 2016, by U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes.

Sinjin Cameron, age 23, was sentenced to 180 days in custody and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $25.

          Cameron was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 14, 2016.  He pled guilty to a Superseding Information on September 19, 2016.

          The conviction stemmed from an incident on May 27, 2016, when Cameron had an altercation with the victim.  Though the altercation was mutual, Cameron gained the upper-hand and rendered the victim unconscious and while the victim laid on the road, Cameron struck the victim on or about the head, causing minor injury to the victim.

          This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

          Cameron was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Amancio Joshua Venegas, age 32, of Gaffney, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison following a guilty plea to federal gun charges.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain presided over both the guilty plea hearing, held on April 25, 2016, and yesterday’s sentencing hearing in Anderson.  Venegas was arrested on federal charges shortly after his state arrest and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since his federal arrest.  Venegas received the statutory maximum sentence for his conduct.

 

The facts presented at both the guilty plea hearing as well as the sentencing hearing established that on August 19, 2016, Venegas, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, drove an underage female to a restaurant parking lot in Cowpens in an ill-fated attempt to facilitate a methamphetamine drug deal.  In the days leading up to the attempted drug deal, Venegas helped the female acquire a loaded .22 caliber pistol which she had in her purse as she approached her drug customer.  Venegas was aware when she got out of his vehicle that she was in possession of the firearm.

 

The deal quickly went south as the prospective customer turned out to be an undercover police officer.  As police quickly moved in to make arrests, Venegas fled the parking lot in his Jeep Cherokee, hitting a pedestrian in the process.  In his attempt to flee, Venegas ultimately abandoned his vehicle after running it into a median guidewire on Interstate 85 in Cherokee County and then ran into the woods before being taken into custody.

 

Arrested on state charges on August 19, 2015, Venegas’ case was immediately adopted for federal investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Venegas was arrested on federal warrants on August 24, 2016.  This investigation was one of the first cases adopted as part of the US Attorney’s Office’s “Real Time” prosecutions in the upstate.

 

“Real Time” is an ongoing local, state, and federal initiative that expedites the identification, arrest, detention, and federal prosecution of repeat offenders arrested with firearms.  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.  Venegas was on state probation at the time of his firearms possession and flight, having been released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections 47 days earlier.

 

The case was investigated by the Cowpens Police Department, the Gaffney Police Department, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

 

Acting U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the continuing partnership between the state and federal agencies in keeping our communities safe: “We work best when we work together.  We welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking individuals who illegally possess firearms out of our communities.

 

7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette and his office serve as an active partner in the Real Time efforts. “This multi-agency partnership endeavors to keep our communities safe and reduce firearms violence through ‘real time’ identification of dangerous individuals who seek to disrupt our streets and communities with firearms-driven violence.”

 

#####

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina –-- Acting United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced today that two individuals from Charlotte, NC, Sahier Lavon Richardson, age 18, and Juran Maghi Witherspoon, age 18, have been charged federally for their roles in the pre-dawn break-in and theft of firearms from The Gun Shop in Simpsonville in October.

On December 13, 2016, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment alleging that on October 13, 2016, the defendants, Richardson and Witherspoon, knowingly and unlawfully did take and carry away from the premises of The Gun Shop, 622 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, South Carolina, a licensed firearms dealer, firearms in the licensee’s business inventory that had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, and did aid and abet each other in the commission of the aforesaid offense; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(u), 924(i)(1) and 2.

Prior to their indictment, Richardson and Witherspoon were arrested on federal arrest warrants in early November for the offense and have remained in custody, detained without bond, since that date. 

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

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

#####

Contact Person: Beth Drake (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina --- Acting U.S. Attorney Beth Drake announced today that the District of South Carolina collected $65,905,918.40 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2016.  Of this amount, $7,112,893.48 was collected in criminal actions and $58,793,024.92 as collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the District of South Carolina worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $78,957,002.59 in cases pursued jointly with these offices. Of this amount, $200.00 was collected in criminal actions and $78,956.802.59 was collected in civil actions.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced on December 14, 2016 that the Justice Department collected nearly $15.4 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2016.  The $15,380,130,434 in collections in FY 2016 represents more than five times the appropriated $2.93 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the main litigating divisions of the Justice Department combined in that same period.

“Every day, the men and women of the Department of Justice work tirelessly to enforce our laws, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used properly and that the American people are protected from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “Today’s announcement is a testament to that work, and it makes clear that our actions deliver a significant return on public investment.  I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this year’s collections possible, and I want to emphasize that the department remains committed to the well-being of our people and our nation.”

“This office has made a substantial commitment to combating fraud,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Beth Drake. "The District of South Carolina US Attorney's Office has devoted six (6) lawyers supported by a terrific team of investigators and paralegals to pursue fraud against government agencies. As the Attorney General has noted, year in and year out, our ACE Unit diligently pursues unscrupulous individuals who seek to line their pockets with tax dollars at the expense of programs destined to support and protect the people of the United States. Whether the targeted funds are designed for Medicare, disaster relief, or a military contract, we give this work the top priority it deserves."

This past March, the District of South Carolina, in cooperation with the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the HHS Office of Counsel to the Inspector General and Office of Investigations,  and the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units entered a settlement with Respironics Inc., based in Murrysville, Pennsylvania for $34.8 million to resolve alleged False Claims Act violations for paying kickbacks in the form of free call center services to durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers that bought its masks for patients with sleep apnea.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in South Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,235,503 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2016.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

#####

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina – Acting United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced today that Justin David Crenshaw, age 31, of Salem, was indicted earlier this week for illegally possessing ammunition as a felon.  

On December 13, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment alleging that on October 25, 2016, in the District of South Carolina, the Defendant, Justin David Crenshaw, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly did possess in and affecting commerce, ammunition, that is, 9mm ammunition, which had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce; in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e).

Prior to his indictment, Crenshaw was arrested on federal arrest warrants in early December for the offense and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since that date. The investigation was conducted by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office for prosecution.

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

#####

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that yesterday a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following: Two Men Arrested and Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States
Luis Enrique Bedoya and Melvin Flores 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.  The cases were investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations (DHS).  The cases are assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

“Real Time”:  Spartanburg Man Arrested and Indicted in South Carolina for Felon in Possession of Firearm
Fred Deshawn Edwards, age 22, was charged in a one-count indictment with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g).  The maximum penalty Edwards could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Spartanburg Police Department and is prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local “Real Time” initiative.  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the community.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office is handling prosecution of this case.

“Real Time”:  Greenville Man Arrested and Indicted in South Carolina for Felon in Possession of Firearm
Joshua Matthew Garrett, age 26, was charged in a one-count indictment with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g).  The maximum penalty Garrett could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.  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 prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local “Real Time” initiative.  The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the community.  Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office is handling prosecution of this case.

The Acting 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.

 

#####

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake today announced that a Charleston Grand Jury has returned a two-count indictment charging St. Paul’s Fire District Chief Doc McNeil Matthews, age 47, of Hollywood; Assistant Chief Charles Riddle, age 44, of Goose Creek; and Mary Jo Thomas-Delaney, age 67, of Summerville, with fraud and embezzlement from a federally funded organization. Count 1 of the Indictment alleges that Chief Matthews embezzled money from the District by, among other things, inflating his leave balances and cashing in the leave.   In Count 2, the indictment alleges that Matthews, Riddle and Thomas-Delaney participated in a scheme to secretly inflate contract payments from the District to Thomas-Delaney’s company, Grant Services LLC, and then split the inflated proceeds with each other.   Each count carries a maximum prison term of ten years, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division.  The investigation was initiated at the request of the St. Paul’s Fire District Commission after audits disclosed financial irregularities.

Assistant United States Attorney Eric Klumb is prosecuting the case.

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

#####

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Charleston, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that DelRico Ramone Eady, age 37, of Allendale, South Carolina was charged in a 3-count indictment with Distribution of Cocaine Base, more commonly known as crack cocaine, a violation of Title 21, U. S. C. §841(a)(1) (two counts), and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §924(c)(1)(A)(i). 

The maximum penalties that Eady could receive for distribution of cocaine base is 20 years imprisonment and supervised release for 3 years, as to each count.  The maximum penalty he could receive for a violation of 924(c) is Life imprisonment.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, ATF, Allendale Police Department and 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson.

Ms. Drake stated that the charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

#####

Contact Person: Jim May (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Samuel Pratt, a/k/a “Promise,” age 34, of Gastonia, North Carolina, was found guilty on 8 counts related to sex trafficking, child pornography and firearm charges in federal court in Columbia.  United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia presided over the four-day trial and will impose sentence on Pratt after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at trial established that the defendant ran a prostitution business of both adults and juveniles, in South Carolina, North Carolina and New York.  The trial opened a window into the seedy world of human trafficking in the Carolinas.  Witnesses provided extensive testimony about the manipulation and abuse, as well as the inner-workings of the sex trafficking operation. Two of the victims were recruited at 14 and 17. This was the first jury verdict in South Carolina related to human trafficking. The defendant’s mother, Daphne Pratt, previously plead guilty to conspiracy to sex traffic children in the case.

Ms. Drake stated, “Sex traffickers prey on those in our society who are most vulnerable.  This case is a great example of how law enforcement at the state and federal level, working together, can bring these predators to justice.”

The maximum penalty for five of the counts is life. The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the ATF, and the US Marshals.  Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Will Lewis of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

#####

Contact Person: Lance Crick (864) 282-2100

 

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina ---- In a courtroom filled with local, state, and federal law enforcement, as well as representatives from SAFE Homes and State Probation, 7TH Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette, with the support and partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, officially launched the state’s newest and, to date, its only focused deterrence-based effort to combat domestic violence, “Home Front”.

 

Modelled after a program started in High Point, NC, members of the Home Front task force began earlier this fall, meeting with representatives from every police department in Spartanburg county as well as the Sheriff’s Office.  The Spartanburg County State Probation office and victim’s advocate stalwart, SAFE Homes, also serve as critical partners in this effort.

 

Under the guidance of Solicitor Barnette and High Point (NC) Chief Marty Sumner, Home Front has quickly gone from concept to reality.  High Point’s model and research suggests that early intervention is key in stopping the cycle of violence.

 

The Home Front strategy identifies and focuses on offenders at the earliest stages of offending, before their violent conduct is entrenched and escalating.

 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, domestic violence is a community crime problem that costs the United States over $5.8 billion every year. It is a major drain on law enforcement resources as domestic violence generates a high volume of calls and repeated calls to the same location. Domestic violence homicides make up 40–50 percent of all murders of women in the United States. Women who have experienced a history of domestic violence report more health problems than other women and they have a greater risk for substance abuse, unemployment, alcoholism, and suicide attempts.

 

Research shows that the repeat domestic violence offender tends to have a significant criminal history that includes a wide range of both domestic violence and non-domestic violence offenses. Most of these offenders are readily identified as they are known to the criminal justice system. The Home Front initiative exposes the repeat domestic violence offender to sanctions because of his pattern of criminal behavior.

 

According to the 2015 Violence Policy Center When Men Murder Women report, South Carolina led the nation in rates of women murdered by men. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the victims were killed with a firearm and ninety-six percent (96%) of women murdered were killed by someone they knew.

 

In Spartanburg County during the 2015 calendar year, SAFE Homes serviced 6726 victims of domestic violence. In the same time frame, the Spartanburg Police Department charged 907 domestic violence cases and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office charged 1068 domestic violence cases. There were fourteen (14) domestic related deaths in Spartanburg County in 2015.

 

Solicitor Barnette has had enough.  “Domestic violence is violence, period.  It continues to plague our community--so costly and harmful to families and children, persisting year after year.  It is time for these offenders to get our best shot—our best efforts.  That is Home Front.”

 

Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake agrees.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms welcome the opportunity to partner with Solicitor Barnette and state law enforcement, and to use federal gun laws to pull violent offenders who are abusing their families and loved ones out of the community.  The goal is simple – stop the abuse, or swift and sure, the full force of a coordinated law enforcement effort will come to bear to stop you from abusing.  Home Front takes the burden of addressing abusers from the victims and shifts it to us – a very engaged group of local, state, and federal law enforcement.”

 

The Home Front task force began a thorough, eight-step implementation process in the fall.  The steps included training officers, synchronizing the coding of calls among the law enforcement agencies to harmonize communication--to create a back stop of sorts so that no domestic calls or offenders slip through the cracks among the sixteen municipal law enforcement entities in Spartanburg County.  Very early in the implementation process, the task force began creating a comprehensive list of domestic violence offenders from the previous twelve months of arrests in Spartanburg County for domestic-related incidents.  Offenders were categorized from most dangerous (Class A), repeat offender (Class B), first time DV arrest (Class C), and any non-arrest domestic violence interface with law enforcement (Class D).

 

For the most serious or repeat offenders, pending cases are fast-tracked to ATF and the US Attorney’s Office for immediate federal prosecution or prioritized for expedited state prosecution.  This process includes creating an enhanced system of tracking for offenders who are notified at any level or category.  Custom notification letters, hand-delivered by law enforcement to offenders within 48 hours of the initial law enforcement contact, serve to alert offenders that they are on the Home Front radar going forward as well as detailing presumptive sentences for future acts of violence or prohibited behavior.

 

Solicitor Barnette is optimistic about the collaboration and is confident the focus and dedication of this task force will not waiver.  “Securing our communities and ensuring that victims and children can feel safe in their own homes—breaking this horrific cycle of violence, that is our charge.”

 

Home Front Task Force:

City of Spartanburg Police Department

City of Campobello

City of Pacolet Police Department

City of Chesnee Police Department

City of Cowpens Police Department

City of Duncan Police Department

City of Greer Police Department

City of Inman Police Department

City of Landrum Police Department

City of Lyman Police Department

City of Wellford Police Department

City of Woodruff Police Department

Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport Police Department

Victim Advocates

Victim Services Providers

Behavioral Health

SC Dept. of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services

U. S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office

SAFE Homes

Children’s Advocacy Center of Spartanburg, Cherokee, & Union

 

#####

Contact Person: Beth Drake: (803) 929-3000

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake, Solicitor Barry Barnette, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and local law enforcement leaders will hold a press conference Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at the Spartanburg County Courthouse to discuss the county-wide domestic violence initiative known as “Home Front.” 

 

WHEN: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 TIME: 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Spartanburg County Courthouse
180 Magnolia Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
East Courtroom

 

NOTE: All media must present government-issued photo identification (such as driver’s license). Press inquiries regarding logistics should be directed to Murray Glenn, 864-809-4892. All media should be in place 20 minutes prior to start. Please plan for the extra time needed to process equipment and personnel through courthouse security.

 

Street parking is available on two sides of the courthouse. Parking is also available in the surface lot directly behind the courthouse.  

                               

# # # #