District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Hartsville Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darnikius Trayvon Sutton, 31, of Hartsville, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence presented to the court showed that in August 2022, the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a Hartsville home from which Sutton had previously sold methamphetamine. Inside the home, law enforcement found approximately 58 grams of methamphetamine, quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, three firearms, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. Sutton claimed responsibility for everything in the home.
Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Sutton to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by Hartsville Police Department, Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.
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Florence Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Fraudulent Scheme to Defraud Chain of Home Improvement StoresRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- Caleb Hood, 31, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for his role in a scheme to defraud a chain of home improvement stores.
Evidence presented to the court showed that Hood, while using fake identities, would go into home improvement stores throughout the District of South Carolina and steal merchandise. Once Hood had stolen the merchandise, he would then go to another of the store’s locations and return the merchandise. Hood would claim that he did not have the receipt for the merchandise, so the store would issue him credit in the form of a merchandise card. The funds on the merchandise card issued to Hood were not legitimately his because he never purchased the items he returned. From April 2019, up until the date of Hood’s arrest on March 2, 2022, Hood fraudulently obtained a total of $202,659.00.
“Caleb Hood used fake identities to steal over $200,000 from a chain of home improvement stores over a period of several years,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We appreciate the work of the Secret Service and Charleston Police Department in uncovering his scheme and helping to protect our local businesses from financial crimes.”
“The Secret Service and Charleston Police Department are committed to investigating fraudulent activity which is detrimental not just to our local businesses, but to our nation’s economic infrastructure as a whole,” said Ben Stafford, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Charleston Resident Office. “We are thankful for the tireless efforts of our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as they worked to see that justice was served in this case.”
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Hood to 48 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Hood was also ordered to pay the home improvement chain $202,659.00 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Bower prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina Return Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – Jeffrey Harmon, of Lexington, pleaded guilty after his jury trial had begun to two counts of filing false tax returns.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Harmon owned and operated TFL Worldwide, a tax preparation business through which he willfully prepared and filed returns for clients that claimed fraudulent deductions relating to, among other things, rent, utilities, meals, gifts, dues, and depreciation.
In his plea, Harmon admitted to filing a false 2012 tax return for himself and to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a 2016 tax return claiming false deductions for rent and depreciation for one of his clients. Harmon agreed that the total tax loss from his criminal conduct was approximately $320,000.
Harmon faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each false return count. He also faces a period of court-ordered supervision, monetary penalties, and restitution. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted Harmon’s guilty plea and will determine any sentence after considering a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina, and Special Agent in Charge Donald Trey Eakins of IRS-Criminal Investigation, Charlotte Field Office, made the announcement.
IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Winston Holliday and Elle Klein for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Wilson Stamm of the Justice Department’s Tax Division prosecuted the case.
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Florence Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA --- Tommy Rene Lee, 53, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that Lee used his personal electronic devices to possess child pornography. Lee came to the attention of law enforcement when two social networking sites reported evidence of alleged criminal activity on their servers. The IP addresses of the reports were ultimately traced to Lee. Upon Lee’s arrest, law enforcement seized electronic devices and conducted forensics examinations that found 121 images and 17 videos depicting child pornography.
The investigation also revealed that Lee had a prior conviction under North Carolina law involving second-degree exploitation of a minor.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Lee to 120 months and 1 day in prison, to be followed by a life term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Hendricks also ordered Lee to pay $12,000 in restitution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy F. Bower is prosecuting the case.
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South Carolina Inmate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Military Sextortion SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dexter Lawrence, 37, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in a scheme to extort and defraud military members that was operated out of the South Carolina Department of Correction (SCDC).
Evidence presented to the Court showed that while serving a 22-year sentence in SCDC for Armed Robbery and Carjacking, Lawrence smuggled smartphones into SCDC and used the internet to join internet dating websites. Once on the internet dating websites, Lawrence would target young men who were in the military while posing as a young woman. Lawrence would solicit nude photographs and once the photographs were received, Lawrence, and others, then posed as the father of the young woman, claiming that the young woman was underage, and that the military member was in possession of child pornography. Lawrence and others then threatened to have the military members arrested or dishonorably discharged unless they paid money.
From March 2016 until May 2017, due to this extortion, service members transferred funds to Lawrence, through his co-conspirators, totaling $60,004.09, which investigators traced to at least 25 victims.
United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Lawrence to 70 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. This sentence will be served after Lawrence completes his 22-year state prison sentence. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Contraband cell phones enable inmates to continue their criminal activity behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “In this case, the defendant used them to prey on victims who have bravely served our nation. Our office is committing to working with SCDC and our law enforcement partners to address the threats posed by smartphones in our prisons.”
“This sentence confirms DCIS’ pledge to hold criminals who target our service members accountable for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “We are steadfast in our commitment to protecting our Warfighters and will work aggressively with our investigative partners to accomplish this mission.”
"Mr. Lawrence was leader in a criminal network that specifically preyed on military service members through schemes that degrade military readiness and ultimately threaten our national security," said Special Agent in Charge Erin Carmichael of the NCIS Carolinas Field Office. "NCIS thanks the U.S. Attorney's Office and our law enforcement partners for their substantial efforts to keep our service members and their families safe from criminal predators."
"Aggressively investigating organized crime impacting our military servicemembers is a top priority for the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division," said Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Link of the Army Criminal Investigation Division's Cyber Field Office. "Mr. Lawrence's sentence should serve as a deterrent for those seeking to take advantage of our nation's fighting forces. Army CID will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to protect our servicemembers."
“Cellphones are the most dangerous weapons in prisons today because they allow inmates to prey on innocent victims and continue committing crimes,” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the S.C. Department of Corrections. “I urge Congress to support a hearing on the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, which would allow states to use technology to jam cellphone signals in state prisons.”
This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Katherine Orville and Amy Bower prosecuted the case.
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Charleston Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Through Social Media AppRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Samer Refaat Selwanes, 48, of Charleston, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.
Selwanes pleaded guilty in September 2022 to sexual exploitation of a minor. According to court documents and hearings, an adult female reported to a victim assistance organization that when she was thirteen she began communicating with another user on Facebook Messenger, and she was coerced by that user to create sexually explicit images of herself. Law enforcement agents were informed and subsequently identified the offender as Selwanes.
Agents thereafter searched Selwanes’s residence and digital devices, and they also conducted a review of the victim’s cell phone. The electronic forensic evidence showed that from June 2013 to August 2016, Selwanes, who falsely purported to be a minor himself, communicated with the victim, who was a minor at that time, on Facebook Messenger and coerced her to create and transmit to him images of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Selwanes to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a life term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean H. Secor prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
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Beaufort Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Leonardo Rubio, 23, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that beginning in at least 2016 and continuing through June 11, 2021, Leonardo Rubio sought, received, produced, and distributed images, videos, and files containing child pornography using multiple cell phones, data storage devices, the Kik social media messaging application, and Dropbox online cloud storage. Rubio’s crimes were discovered after Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agents received a NCMEC CyberTip from Dropbox, which indicated Rubio had uploaded at least 10 images containing child pornography to their cloud service. The special agents then obtained a search warrant for Rubio’s residence located on the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort.
During a forensic examination of devices seized from Rubio, analysts located a total of 26,114 images and 1,505 videos containing child pornography involving prepubescent male and female victims ranging in age from 3 months to 14 years old. During interviews, Rubio informed agents he also had distributed between 150 to 200 images of child pornography to other individuals using the Kik messaging application. Rubio also admitted to sexually assaulting an 8- or 9-year-old relative, as well as photographing himself engaged in sexual contact with his wife’s 7-year-old relative, when he was approximately 16 years old.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Rubio to 168 months in prison, to be followed by a life term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Hendricks further ordered that the defendant pay $69,000 to the 23 victims seeking restitution in this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allessandra Stewart is prosecuting the case.
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South Carolina Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Conspiracy Targeting Retirees and Military Pension HoldersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – A South Carolina woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in a nationwide structured cash flow scheme that exploited military veterans in desperate financial straits and targeted elderly investors seeking a safe retirement investment.
Candy Kern, 55, of Anderson, South Carolina, was the managing partner of a small South Carolina-based law firm. From approximately 2012 through 2021, she used her law firm to facilitate a fraudulent scheme involving illegal assignment of veterans’ benefits.
The scheme worked as follows: Numerous individuals and small corporate entities, referred to as Structured Cash Flow (SCF) entities, offered veterans – many of whom were in acute financial distress – an up-front lump sum payment in exchange for the assignment of the veterans’ monthly pension and/or disability payments for a period of time. Working through a network of investment advisors and insurance agents, the SCF entities would then solicit retirees to invest in these contracts – providing the up-front lump sums under the false pretense that the flow of repayments by veterans over time would translate into a return for the retiree-investors.
For more than eight years, Kern, through her law firm, served as the banker, legal counsel, and debt collector for the SCF operation. Among other services, Kern’s law firm (1) managed, controlled, and maintained the bank accounts through which payments to and from investors and veterans flowed; and (2) filed suits against veterans who defaulted. Throughout the duration of the scheme, and unbeknownst to the veterans or the retirees, the pension assignment contracts were in fact void, as it is illegal to assign a pension under federal law – a fact Kern knew but never disclosed during the execution of any contract.
Over time, the scheme collapsed, as many veterans (who tended to be in dire financial straits) either were unable to repay their “obligations” under the contract or opted not to do so upon learning that federal law prohibited pension assignments. Over the course of this scheme, approximately $14 million in illegally assigned veterans’ benefits flowed through the accounts controlled by Kern’s law firm. Notwithstanding the invalidity of the contracts, Kern pursued enforcement actions against veterans who defaulted, securing numerous default judgments against veterans in absentia. As a result, Kern’s law firm received approximately $1,446,336, while retiree-investors – who were misled and fraudulently induced to purchase the SCF product without being informed of all material information about the contracts – lost approximately $31,352,897.26.
“This elaborate scheme preyed upon and exploited some of our most vulnerable populations, and when it collapsed, it left thousands of veterans in financial ruin and scores of retiree-investors without adequate resources to retire,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department is committed to protecting servicemembers, veterans, and older adults from fraud. And we are dedicated to ensuring that those involved in this scheme are held accountable.”
“The District of South Carolina has been at the forefront of prosecuting fraud related to veterans’ pensions and associated investment scams,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “It is reprehensible that a former member of the South Carolina state bar would participate in such a scheme and use her standing as a lawyer to give victims a false confidence. My office will continue its efforts to protect our veterans and to bring perpetrators to justice.”
“This guilty plea is a true testament to the FBI’s steadfast mission to uphold justice and protect the most vulnerable members of our society from financial exploitation and fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI recognizes the sacrifice and dedication of our veterans and values the contributions of our seniors to our communities. The guilty plea represents our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to take advantage of our nation’s heroes and seniors.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney William Watkins for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorneys Ehren Reynolds and Yolanda McCray Jones of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.
The matter was investigated by the FBI. The Veterans Benefits Administration’s Benefits Protection and Remediation Division and the Defense Finance Accounting Service also assisted. Resources from the Department of Justice’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative and the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force aided in the investigation and prosecution.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.
More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at https://www.ovc.gov. For more information on the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative, or to file a complaint, visit https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers.
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Drug Enforcement Administration Announces Spring Take Back DayRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA– The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has announced the date of its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday, April 22, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.
For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction.
Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.
- What: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
- When: Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time
- Who: DEA & Local Law Enforcement
- Where: Collection Site Search
In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception.
Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.
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Sumter Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison in Tax and Covid-19 Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Maggie-Anne Boler, 61, of Sumter, was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison in relation to a scheme to submit false tax returns and a fraudulent Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan to the United States. The schemes defrauded the United States out of roughly $180,000.
According to evidence presented during Boler’s trial and sentencing, Boler promised friends and family that she knew a secret way to get them large refunds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Boler used her bogus system to prepare tax returns for herself, her disabled brother, and others. Boler would claim huge unsubstantiated withholdings on the returns, generating tax refunds of as much as $44,000. Some of Boler’s family members were unemployed and had no actual withholdings during the year. Once the fraudulent returns were discovered by the IRS, Boler’s friends and family were forced to repay the refunds and were burdened with additional penalties and fees. Many of the relatives testified during the trial that Boler took a fee for preparing the returns and promised them that her methods were lawful and that she knew obscure rules that would get them large refunds.
In addition to the tax fraud, Boler received a $20,000 PPP loan based on her fraudulent claims. Evidence produced during the trial showed that Boler took these PPP funds while also receiving thousands of dollars in South Carolina unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Maggie-Anne Boler made false promises, defrauded American taxpayers, and stole from businesses in desperate need of support during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting financial fraud in all its forms, and we encourage the public to ensure they are only working with reputable tax professionals this tax season.”
“The defendant in this case thought she had figured out a clever scheme to thwart the IRS and steal from American taxpayers,” said Donald “Trey” Eakins, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “This sentencing is an important victory for America's taxpayers who play by the rules and have no tolerance for those who make up their own rules.”
“Financial fraud undermines the integrity of the U.S. tax system and erodes consumer confidence,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge, Steve Jensen. “This sentence should serve as a warning to others that such criminal activity will not be tolerated. The FBI, along with our federal partners, will continue to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”
Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Boler to 30 months in prison. She was also ordered to repay $53,696.00 in restitution to the United States Small Business Administration and the IRS.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cate Cardinale and T. DeWayne Pearson.
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Columbia Man Sentenced After Attempting to Bring Stun Guns, Smoke Grenades, Knives, and Pepper Spray into Columbia AirportRead the Press Release
Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA — David Lee Angell, 51, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to knowingly and willfully entering into an airport area in violation of security requirements.
Evidence obtained in the investigation showed that Angell was stopped at a TSA screening before attempting to board a plane the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. While at TSA screening, his carry-on baggage alerted on prohibited items. A search of his carry-on revealed that he was carrying three smoke grenades, one set of plastic stun knuckles, three stun batons, two knives, and two cans of capsaicin spray in his carry-on bag. All of these items are prohibited from being in a passenger’s carry-on baggage.
Angell has prior convictions for carrying a concealed weapon in vehicle, possession of a dangerous weapon, burglary, and resisting a public officer.
As a result of the federal conviction, United States Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett sentenced Angell to the maximum term imprisonment of one year, to be followed by a one-year term of court-ordered supervision.
The case was investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Assistant United States Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Who Threatened the Use of a Firearm During a Social Media Livestream Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA — Paul Burton, 27, of Columbia, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on February 15, 2022, around 12:30am, Burton posted a livestream video on social media at a Columbia gas station. In the video, Burton bragged about successfully robbing a rival gang member of a gold chain, which he displayed. Additional portions of the livestream show Burton going into the gas station and threatening the rival gang member a second time by displaying the firearm and spitting in his direction in the presence of the store clerk.
Later that same day, the City of Columbia Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a car driven by Burton. Because the car smelled of marijuana, police officers conducted a search and found a loaded pistol. On February 16, 2022, members of the Midlands Gang Task Force interviewed Burton, and he admitted the same pistol in his car was the one he used during the robbery at the gas station.
Federal law prohibits Burton from possessing a firearm or ammunition based on prior convictions for Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Burton to 51 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the City of Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Larsen & Toubro Technology Services Pays $9,928,000 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — L&T Technology Services, LTD (“LTTS”), a company based in India, with U.S. offices in Edison New Jersey, has agreed to pay $9,928,000 to resolve allegations that between 2014 and 2019, LTTS underpaid visa fees owed to the United States by acquiring inexpensive B-1 visas, rather than more expensive H-1B visas, in alleged violation of the False Claims Act.
LTTS provides services and personnel to companies in the United States. Most of the personnel are foreign nationals, who are required to have visas in order to lawfully enter or remain in the United States.
B-1 visas generally do not permit visa holders to perform paid labor while in the United States. During the time period in question, fees for B-1 visas were between approximately $200 to $300, and there was no limit on the number of B-1 visas that could be issued.
Although H-1B visas permit foreign nationals to perform paid labor while in this country, the visa fees for such work visas were between approximately $4,000 to $6,000. Additionally, such visas are more difficult to obtain, because they are limited by an annual cap of 65,000, to foreign nationals with the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in an occupation requiring highly specialized knowledge; plus an additional 20,000 H-1B visas annually to those in such occupations with a master’s degree or its equivalent.
The investigation leading to this settlement was initiated through the filing of a whistleblower (qui tam) complaint in the United States District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, captioned United States ex rel. Michael Harmon v. L&T Technology Services, et. al., Civ. No. 2:16-cv-01114-BHH (D.S.C.). By law, Mr. Harmon will receive a percentage of the recovery.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will hold accountable those who skirt this country’s visa requirements,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Adair F. Boroughs. “Our immigration laws are intended to protect American jobs for American workers, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure companies securing work visas for foreign nationals strictly comply with those laws.”
“This settlement sends a clear message to those who seek to defraud the U.S. government and exploit our nation’s laws, that you will be found and held accountable,” said Ronnie Martinez, Special Agent In Charge of HSI Charlotte, covering North and South Carolina. “Protecting the integrity of the nation’s immigration and labor laws from those looking to exploit them is of vital importance and HSI prioritizes this mission.”
“This settlement is a success in deterring companies in seeking to evade and violate the laws and regulations governing the non-immigrant visa programs managed by the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security,” said Chris Hileman, Special Agent in Charge, Department of State, Office of Inspector General. “It has been and always will be our pleasure to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to protect our immigration laws, the U.S. workers and our economy and hold those accountable who exploit them.”
“When companies apply for work visas, they must follow the rules and pay appropriate fees, just like workers. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously pursue those who circumvent worker visa programs,” said Mathew Broadhurst, Special Agent in Charge, Southeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.”
“We are pleased at the outcome of this case,” said Karen L. Brown Cleveland, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). “The Diplomatic Security Service values our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies around the world to prevent and jointly combat U.S. passport and visa fraud. Deterring, detecting, and investigating U.S. passport and visa fraud is essential to safeguarding our national security.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the USCIS Nebraska Service Center Fraud Detection Unit, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Stan Ragsdale, Beth Warren, and Brook Andrews of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. LTTS has denied liability, is cooperating with the United States in this matter, and has taken significant steps to ensure compliance with U.S. visa laws.
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Thirteen Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking and Related Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Eleven men and two women from across the Pee Dee were sentenced to multi-year terms in federal prison after pleading guilty to their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy out of the Chesterfield and Darlington County areas.
- Clifford Ray Gardner, 67, of McBee, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition;
- Zachary Miles Gardner, 29, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting distribution of methamphetamine;
- Marion Wendell Brown, Jr., 37, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking;
- Harvey Lee Dixon, 37, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 74 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Jeffrey Scott Lloyd, 32, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Craig Leon Warr, 50, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Ricky Jerry Wallace, 30, 0f Patrick, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Charles Barney Lloyd, 50, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Justin Lee Kelly, 40, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 80 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Jonathan Nowell Dixon, 41, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 66 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Ashley Jordan Griffits, 33, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 92 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Thomas George Hall, II, 42, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; and
- Lacey Elizabeth Watford, 22, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Wallace and Warr’s terms of imprisonment will be followed by a ten-year term of court-ordered supervision. The remaining defendants will have a five-year term of court-ordered supervision to follow imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Our office is dedicated to protecting the people of South Carolina from the dangers of drug trafficking and related gun crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners who worked together to dismantle this methamphetamine trafficking ring and hold accountable those who were pedaling this dangerous drug into our neighborhoods.”
“The same individuals responsible for bringing deadly narcotics into our communities are often responsible for much of the violent gun crime we face,” said Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Charlotte Field Division. “Bringing these individuals to justice and dismantling drug trafficking networks has a major impact on stopping gun violence and making communities safer.”
“We are thankful for the diligent work and collaboration of the many departments that brought an end to the organization that was bringing these dangerous drugs into our community,” said Public Information Officer for the City of Hartsville Michelle Byers Brown. “The City of Hartsville continues to stay vigilant and dedicated to working with all agencies to assure that individuals who desire to harm our city and surrounding communities are brought to justice.”
Evidence presented to the Court showed that Clifford Ray Gardner was the head of a multi-year methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy based out of Chesterfield and Darlington Counties. During the course of that conspiracy, Gardner was accountable for trafficking more than 9 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Evidence showed Harvey Lee Dixon, Jeffrey Scott Lloyd, Craig Leon Warr, Ricky Jerry Wallace, Charles Barney Lloyd, Justin Lee Kelly, Jonathan Nowell Dixon, Ashley Jordan Griffits, Thomas George Hall, II, and Lacey Elizabeth Watford were distributors within the conspiracy. Each was accountable for trafficking half a kilogram or more of methamphetamine during the course of the conspiracy.
In May 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Marion Wendell Brown Jr.’s residence in Hartsville, from which he sold drugs. Officers found two rifles and a 12-gauge shotgun, approximately $1,000 in cash, 16 grams of methamphetamine, and a quantity of heroin. A subsequent search of the same location revealed additional drugs and a stolen law enforcement firearm.
In May 2021, law enforcement conducted a controlled buy of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine from Clifford Ray Gardner at a residence in McBee. Zachary Miles Gardner was the middleman on the deal.
In June 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the same McBee residence where the controlled buy occurred. Officers found three firearms. Federal law prohibits Clifford Ray Gardner from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction.
Chief United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced all thirteen individuals.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Hartsville Police Department, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.
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West Columbia Gang Member Pleads to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Darius Antonio Pugh, 36, of West Columbia, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and a quantity of cocaine.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of August 14, 2020, a Charleston County deputy conducted a traffic stop of a speeding car. Pugh, the driver, was in the car with a friend. As the deputy was speaking with Pugh, he saw loose “shake” (marijuana) inside the car, which gave the deputy probable cause to search the car. Deputies recovered a small baggie of cocaine and a loaded handgun. Pugh, who was out on a state bond from Lexington County for a shooting, was arrested on new state charges and thereafter made another state bond.
While out on state bond, Pugh, a gang member, was involved in a high speed chase with Richland County deputies. Evidence presented to the court showed that on the evening of April 9, 2022, Richland County deputies responded to a home invasion in progress in northeast Columbia. Enroute, deputies received information that the suspect fled in an older model Expedition. While responding to the call, a deputy encountered an older model Expedition fitting the general description in the area. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop of the Expedition for having improper vehicle tags.
As the deputy turned on his blue lights and siren, the Expedition fled onto 1-77 with speeds in excess of 100mph. The chase continued onto 277 South and came to a stop within the Colony apartment complex, after the Expedition struck a parked car as it attempted to make a turn at a high rate of speed. Pugh, the driver and sole occupant of the Expedition, exited the SUV and was stopped by the deputy after a short foot chase. Inside a bag that Pugh had, deputies found a loaded handgun with an extended magazine and clear bags of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. A search of Pugh’s Expedition revealed another loaded handgun, along with a jar of marijuana and a digital scale. Both handguns were determined to have been previously stolen in Charlotte. It was determined that Pugh was not the suspect involved in the home invasion and that his Expedition was not the Expedition the home invasion victim said left the scene.
Federal law prohibits Pugh from possessing firearms and ammunition based on prior state convictions that include possession of cocaine, possession of other controlled substance, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate convictions), possession of stolen motor vehicle, distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, failure to stop for blue light and siren, and discharging firearms into a dwelling.
Pugh faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 on the firearm charges and a mandatory minimum of 10 years with a maximum of life and a fine of $8,000,000 on the drug charge. After service of the term of imprisonment, Pugh will also face a term of supervised release of at least 8 years. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence him after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mt. Pleasant Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.
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South Carolina Man Arrested on Felony Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol BreachRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A South Carolina man has been arrested on felony charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.
Thomas Andrew Casselman, 29, of Walhalla, South Carolina, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers, civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds or buildings, all felonies, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a Capitol building. He was arrested this morning in Walhalla and made his initial appearance in the District of South Carolina before Magistrate Judge Kevin McDonald.
According to court documents, Casselman is seen in images from Jan. 6, 2021, published widely, wearing a dark grey cap with design on the front, black face mask, American flag gaiter or scarf around the neck, black jacket, and backpack while in the crowd on the west side of the Capitol Building. Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage from D.C. Metropolitan Police officers as well as open-source video footage show Casselman spraying law enforcement officers with an orange colored spray, presumed to be a chemical irritant, specifically, bear spray. A victim of the use of this chemical irritant also described the spray as bear spray.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Columbia, South Carolina Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Casselman as #363 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 26 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Raphiel Coleman, 37, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a convenience store on Broad River Road concerning a man with a gun. When the deputies arrived, they saw Coleman wearing the same clothing as the man described by the 911 caller. They ordered him to the ground, but Coleman fled behind the store. One deputy gave chase on foot and the other deputy followed in the police car. Eventually, they caught Coleman, and they found one .357 caliber bullet in his pocket. With the help of a police dog, they retraced their steps and found a handgun on the ground in a bush nearby. The police also found approximately 2 grams of marijuana in Coleman’s pocket.
Federal law prohibits Coleman from possessing a firearm because of his prior convictions for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop for a blue light, intimidation of a juror or witness, possession of less than 1 gram of methamphetamine, and pointing and presenting a weapon.
Coleman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution and 5 years, of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Coleman after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects over $50 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2022Read the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina collected $50,690,774.37 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2022. Of this amount, $11,935,768.98 was collected in criminal actions and $38,755,005.39 was collected in civil actions. The District of South Carolina also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect $10,438,936.69 in criminal and civil cases pursued jointly by these offices.
“Making crime victims whole, forfeiting property used to commit crimes, and recovering money bilked from our taxpayers are critical components of our justice system,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “Our Criminal Division, Civil Division, Asset Forfeiture Unit, and Financial Litigation Unit work day in and day out to claw back ill-gotten gains and ensure victims are compensated, and we will continue to dedicate resources to holding wrongdoers financially accountable.”
In August 2022, Philips RS North America, LLC, formerly known as Respironics, Inc., agreed to pay a total of $24,750,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it provided kickbacks to durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers to induce them to choose Respironics’ respiratory equipment for federal healthcare program beneficiaries. Of the $24,750,000 settlement, state Medicaid programs received $2.13 million. A relator (also known as a whistleblower) disclosed the alleged fraud by filing a qui tam action and received approximately $4.3 million of the federal settlement amount. Additionally, Respironics entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG.
The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Daniel A. Spiro of the Fraud Section of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Beth Warren and Johanna Valenzuela of the District of South Carolina. The lawsuit resolved by this settlement is captioned United States, et al., ex rel. Respiratory Care., LLC v. Respironics, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-02913-BHH (D.S.C). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Additionally, in United States v. Lavoie et al, Case No. 4:21-cr-00585-RBH (D.S.C.), the U.S. Attorney’s Office recovered $586,805 in restitution owed to the IRS for tax violations. Daniel A. Lavoie and Enrique R. Reyes pleaded guilty to charges related to employment tax fraud and hiring unauthorized aliens. They operated or assisted in the operation of a construction company that used unlicensed check cashers to facilitate under-the-table cash payments to employees, many of whom were unauthorized aliens. The off-the-books payments defrauded the United States out of applicable employment taxes on the employees. Lavoie and Reyes were each ordered to pay $293,402.50 in restitution for tax violations, all of which has been recovered. The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Fisher Sherard and Anne Hunter Young of the District of South Carolina.
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 collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Carolina, working with partner agencies and divisions, also collected $6,130,476 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2022. 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.
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Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Shondel Antwan Crim, 47, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on December 15, 2021, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the home of a victim. The victim stated that she and Crim had stopped dating. She saw him at a gas station, they talked, and he tried to rekindle their relationship. She declined and left the gas station. Crim followed her and fired into her car at least 2 times, striking her car. An arrest warrant was issued for Crim.
A week later, the police saw Crim at a gas station and arrested him. They found a loaded Glock pistol in a holster inside his waistband. A search warrant was issued for his house, where they found additional ammunition along with a small amount of crack cocaine.
Crim was taken to police headquarters and given his Miranda warnings. He admitted that the gun found on him was the gun he had during the shooting into the victim’s car.
Federal law prohibits Crim from possessing a firearm based upon prior convictions for possession of crack, possession of a stolen car, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute in proximity of school, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine, and burglary.
Crim faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and 6 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Crim after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Arma Victor Strong, III, 33, of Columbia, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on July 8, 2021, a Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigator on surveillance in an unmarked car in a parking lot of a motel on Nates Road saw a person walk over to an occupied car and then saw a drug deal take place. As the person walked away from the car, the deputy saw and took a photo of what appeared to be narcotics in the person’s hand. As the car left the area, the deputy radio’ed a marked patrol unit, which conducted a traffic stop of the car on Two Notch Road after seeing traffic violations. Due to the strong smell of marijuana coming from the car, the car was searched, and a shoebox containing marijuana and pills containing methamphetamine and cocaine was found in the backseat. Strong, the driver, admitted to possessing the drugs and having distributed some earlier.
Federal law prohibits Strong from possessing firearms and ammunition based on his prior felony state convictions, which include auto breaking, possession of cocaine, domestic violence 2nd degree, assault & battery 2nd degree, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Strong faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine of $2,000,000 on the drug charge. After service of the term of imprisonment, Strong will also face a term of supervision of at least 6 years. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Strong after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 9 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Ernest Weldon, 37, of Columbia, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that on June 21, 2021, an officer with the City of Columbia Police Department (CPD) attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car driven by Ernest Weldon. Instead of stopping for the officer, Weldon opened the door to the car and ran without putting the car in park, causing it to roll until it stopped in nearby grass. During his flight, Weldon dropped a firearm, which law enforcement recovered. CPD officers detained Weldon after a brief chase and took him into custody. Before this incident, Weldon had convictions for attempted armed robbery, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and multiple convictions for assault and criminal domestic violence.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Weldon to 110 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Brooklyn Man, Who Was Fugitive for 8 Years, Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for His Role in Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Dockim Deeshawn McKnight, 34, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after earlier pleading guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
McKnight was one of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a series of court-authorized, DEA-monitored wiretaps over several telephones in the Columbia area. Six of the 10 defendants were arrested in April 2014, while 4 remained fugitives, including McKnight. Two fugitives were arrested in 2017 in Texas. McKnight remained a fugitive until his May 2022 arrest by the United States Marshals Service in Brooklyn, New York. The remaining fugitive was arrested in September 2022 in Concord, North Carolina, is currently awaiting trial, and is innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The 2013 investigation revealed that a group of individuals in the Columbia area were obtaining heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Evidence indicated that the suppliers were initially getting the heroin in packages from India. Several packages destined for Columbia and containing heroin were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. Evidence further showed that the co-defendants later traveled to New York to obtain heroin and transported it back to Columbia, where it was distributed. In June 2013, New York authorities seized 155 grams of heroin from McKnight and his girlfriend/co-defendant Jessany Lyons while they were preparing to board a bus back to South Carolina.
Eight of McKnight’s co-defendants earlier pleaded guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and were sentenced as follows:
- Eric Shawn Bradley of Columbia was sentenced to 210 months in prison with 8 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Michael Glover of Columbia was sentenced to 324 months in prison with 8 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Jihad Salahadeen Pollard of Columbia was sentenced to 121 months in prison with 4 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Kenneth Crawford, Jr. of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months in prison with 8 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Charles Raheem Bradley of Columbia was sentenced to 57 months in prison with 6 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Anthony Troy Glover of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months in prison with 8 years of court-ordered supervision;
- Larry Grover Bookman of Columbia was sentenced to 70 months in prison with 6 years of court-ordered supervision; and
- Jessany Lyons of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months in prison with 3 years of court-ordered supervision.
The New York heroin suppliers were charged and convicted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York for their role in the drug conspiracy.
Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced McKnight to 60 months in prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which was comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Secret Service (USSS), Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The United States Marshals Service and the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force-Charlotte Office assisted in locating the 4 fugitives. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes is prosecuting the case.
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Jury Finds Defendant Guilty in Staged Armored Truck Robbery of $1.9 MillionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA —Terry Tyrone Pollard, 27, of Cedartown, Georgia, was convicted following a jury trial in federal court for conspiracy to commit bank larceny and bank larceny. The convictions arose from a January 2021 incident during which Pollard and his four codefendants staged an armed robbery of a Garda armored cash transport truck carrying $1.9 million in North Charleston, South Carolina. Pollard’s codefendants—Quantavius Murphy, 22, Anthony Burge, 24, and Thomas Calhoun, 21, all of Cedartown, Georgia, and James Sewell, 27, of North Charleston—all previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
Evidence presented by the Government at trial established that in early January 2021, Sewell, a Garda armored truck driver, recruited Pollard and the other codefendants to stage his robbery. After formulating the plan over Snapchat, Pollard, Murphy, Burge, and Calhoun traveled from Cedartown to Sewell’s apartment in North Charleston on January 15, 2021. Later that day, they drove around North Charleston looking for the best location to stage the theft. On January 16, 2021, Sewell parked his truck full of money outside an ATM in North Charleston. Pollard and the other codefendants approached Sewell and pretended to restrain him at gunpoint. They then loaded $1.9 million in cash into black trash bags and immediately fled back to Cedartown.
Investigators were able to determine the codefendants’ cell phone numbers and obtain cell site location data from service providers. The cell site location data confirmed the codefendants’ path of travel from Cedartown in the early morning hours of January 15, their location in the vicinity of Sewell’s apartment the day before the theft, and their joint path of travel back to Cedartown following the theft on January 16. Evidence presented to the jury revealed that several hours after the bank larceny, Calhoun posted a Snapchat video of Pollard holding a large stack of stolen cash in front of his face.
The jury deliberated for eight minutes before returning a guilty verdict against Pollard on both counts of the indictment.
“Prosecuting violent crime is one of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s top priority,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We appreciate the work of the FBI, North Charleston Police Department, and Cedartown Police Department in this case and their commitment to holding these defendants accountable.”
“The FBI is committed to thoroughly investigating violent crime, to include armored car robberies, and pursuing all who perpetrate those offenses,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office, Paul “Reid” Davis. “This conviction sends a strong message that our office, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, will not waver in the pursuit of justice.”
Representatives from the North Charleston Police Department stated that they are pleased that a jury held Pollard responsible for traveling from out of state to commit a serious crime in North Charleston and are thankful for the assistance from and collaboration with the USAO and the FBI.
United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks presided over the trial and will sentence Pollard and his codefendants after receiving and reviewing pre-sentence reports prepared by the United States Probation Office. Pollard faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, and a fine of $500,000 in addition to restitution for money stolen during the incident.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the North Charleston Police Department, and the Cedartown Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Lietzow, Emily Limehouse, and Allessandra Stewart prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Involved in a Shooting Incident Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Eric Grier, 55, of Columbia, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that on the night of October 10, 2020, the Columbia Police Department (CPD) received a ShotSpotter alert from the Celia Saxon neighborhood. As CPD officers responded to the scene, Grier was fleeing in a white car. Officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, but Grier refused to stop and tried to elude law enforcement officers until he lost control of his car and stopped on a curb. Officers removed Grier from the car and found a discarded handgun near the passenger door. The slide of the gun was locked back, indicating the gun had been fired until the magazine was empty.
While Grier was in custody, officers found 10 spent shell casings near the area where they first saw Grier’s vehicle. The shell casings were linked to the gun found near Grier’s car via a NIBIN lead. Officers also executed a search warrant to test Grier’s hands for gunshot residue. Analysts with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) confirmed the spent shell casings recovered by CPD were fired from the gun found near Grier’s car, and Grier had gunshot residue on his hands. Before this incident, Grier had multiple convictions for criminal domestic violence.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Eric Grier to 46 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was made possible by investigative leads generated from the ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
The case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.
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Beaufort County Man Sentenced for Tax Evasion and Ordered to Pay $3,097,582 in RestitutionRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Michael Sturms, 78, of Bluffton, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after pleading guilty to tax evasion.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that Sturms failed to timely file individual income tax returns with the IRS for tax years 2007 through 2012, and he only filed these delinquent returns in 2014 as part of divorce proceedings from his then-wife. Sturms signed each of these late filed returns, admitting to a significant tax deficiency.
In 2015, the IRS filed a number of federal tax liens in South Carolina and Florida against Sturms and his business entities for taxes owed. On March 9, 2015, the IRS sent Sturms a Final Notice of Intent to Levy in the amount of $2,368,409.94, which included the total taxes, penalties, and interest then due and owing.
Knowing that he had taxes due and owing, Sturms attempted to evade and defeat the payment of income tax by engaging in a series of financial transactions that were designed to hide funds that Sturms received from a large breach-of-contract settlement. These efforts to evade the payment of taxes included Sturms’ creation of a new business checking account in the name of Worldwide Financials, LLC, to deposit $1,181,321.64 of settlement money, a failed attempt to withdraw $1 million in cash from this newly created account, and the transfer of $550,000 of these settlement proceeds to his new wife, which then was used to purchase a residence lien-free in his new wife’s name.
As part of his sentence, United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel ordered defendant to pay $3,097,582 in restitution, which represents the accrued unpaid taxes, interest, and fees owed to the United States.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allessandra Stewart is prosecuting the case.
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Lexington County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison After Cocaine Found in His CarRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Curley Brooks, Jr., 47, of Lexington, was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that the police were conducting a parcel inspection at the FedEx Express Hub in West Columbia when a K-9 gave a positive alert to a package. As a result of the positive alert, the police opened the package and found it contained approximately two pounds of cocaine. The Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) made a controlled delivery of the parcel. The police maintained surveillance on the package after it was delivered. A truck pulled into the driveway of the residence, and the driver, who was later identified as Curley Brooks, Jr., exited the driver side door, walked to the front door, and took the package. Brooks then carried the package back to his vehicle, where he got in with it.
Brooks then backed out of the driveway and attempted to leave. Agents attempted to stop Brooks as he was leaving the residence. Brooks attempted to evade law enforcement by driving into the yard and, when doing so, struck a SLED vehicle. Other agents attempted to block Brooks’ truck from leaving the yard to prevent a pursuit, but Brooks made a sharp turn and almost struck a second police vehicle. When Brooks turned to avoid hitting the police vehicle, he rear-ended a civilian car sitting at a stop sign. Brooks then placed the truck in reverse to try to back up and struck another police vehicle. As Brooks drove off, other agents were pulling up in the intersection, and Brooks drove head-on and struck their vehicle before being stopped. Brooks was then taken into custody. The parcel was recovered sitting on the passenger floorboard of the truck. During the entire incident, Brooks’ two-year-old child was unsecured in the backseat of the vehicle.
Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Brooks to 160 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 77 Months in Prison on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA —Ernest Durane Mack, a/k/a “Marcus Mack,” 35, of Cayce, was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on July 26, 2019, a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol initiated a lawful traffic stop on St. Andrews Road in Columbia on a car Mack was driving after recognizing it to be a car that had fled after he attempted to stop it a week earlier. After a short chase, Mack pulled into a nearby apartment complex, where he stopped the car and fled on foot. Officers located Mack in a nearby apartment complex breezeway and saw him with a handgun, which he then threw towards an officer. Mack told officers that he fled from troopers because he had the handgun in the car. The investigation revealed that the handgun had previously been reported stolen in Spartanburg County.
Mack, who was on state probation at the time of the offense, has prior state convictions for trafficking cocaine (2 separate convictions), forgery, possession of a controlled substance, failure to stop for blue light and siren, and criminal domestic violence 1st degree (2 separate convictions). Mack is currently serving a 7-year sentence for criminal domestic violence 1st degree.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Mack to 77 months in prison, to be followed by a 3-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol is part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case.
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Charleston County Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding the Small Business AssociationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Antonio Brown-Sanders, 26, of Charleston, pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding the Small Business Association (SBA) to receive an Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Brown-Sanders applied to the SBA to receive an EIDL loan that fraudulently represented he owned a lawn care business. The application submitted by Brown-Sanders also falsely represented the number of employees and gross revenues for the fraudulent lawn care business. The total amount lent to Brown-Sanders by the SBA was $81,600.
Brown-Sanders is subject to a maximum sentence of twenty years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.00. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Brown-Sanders after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the United States Probation Office.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Amy F. Bower prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs Joins DOJ Delegation to Commemorate “Bloody Sunday” and Passage of Voting Rights Act of 1965Read the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - Adair Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, joined more than two dozen other U.S. Attorneys from across the country as a delegation to commemorate the 58th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the March over Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Boroughs has served as a member of the Attorney General Advisory Committee’s (AGAC) Civil Rights Subcommittee since taking office in July 2022.
“It was an honor to join colleagues from across the United States on this trip to Montgomery and Selma, home to some of the most important moments in the Civil Rights Movement,” said U.S. Attorney Boroughs. “The Department of Justice was founded after the Civil War to ensure protection of civil rights, and the protection of civil rights remains one of the most basic and important parts of our mission. This mission is even more critical in states like South Carolina, where we lack a state hate crimes statute. My office is committed to using every power we have to protect civil rights across South Carolina.”
From March 4-7, 2023, U.S. Attorneys from across the country met with community and civil rights leaders while exploring some of the significant and educational civil rights institutions in Alabama. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Nick Brown, hosted the delegation’s visit.
In addition to the March 5th Selma March, the U.S. Attorneys met with Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, as part of the subcommittee work supporting the AGAC.
Other meetings and visits during the trip focused on both historic civil rights conflicts and issues that are still alive today.
- The group met with distinguished jurist Myron Thompson, the first Black Assistant Attorney General for Alabama and the second Black Federal Judge in the state. As the former Chief Judge in the Middle District of Alabama, Judge Thompson was instrumental in preserving the Montgomery bus station where the Freedom Riders were attacked in 1961 and the establishment of the Freedom Rides Museum. Judge Thompson is a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall award for his “personal contributions and extraordinary commitment to the advancement of civil rights.”
- The group also met with Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to people who have been wrongly convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons.
- The attorneys also visited The Johnson Institute in the Montgomery federal courthouse where many key civil rights cases were decided. The Johnson Institute demonstrates through its programming the importance of the U.S. Constitution and the independent judiciary.
- The U.S. Attorneys visited The Legacy Museum, which provides a comprehensive history on the legacy of slavery. Lynching, codified racial segregation, and the emergence of over-incarceration in the 20th century are examined in depth and brought to life through film, images, and first-person narratives at the museum.
- At the Memorial for Peace and Justice, the group had an opportunity to reflect on America’s History of racial injustice. Set on a six-acre site, the memorial uses sculpture, art, and design to contextualize racial terror. The site includes a memorial square with 800 six-foot monuments to symbolize thousands of racial terror lynching victims in the United States.
The U.S. Attorneys from the following districts attended the Selma and Montgomery events: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, South Carolina, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, South Dakota, Kansas, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Middle District of Florida, Northern and Eastern Districts of California, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, Western District of Virginia, Western District of North Carolina, Southern District of Ohio, Western District of New York, and Southern District of West Virginia.
The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee was established nearly 50 years ago by Attorney General Elliott Richardson. The Committee’s purpose is to give United States Attorneys a voice in Department policies and to advise the Attorney General of the United States.
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POSTPONED - MEDIA ADVISORY Marion County Man to be Sentenced in Federal Court for Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Murder of 80-Year-Old VictimRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — The sentencing of Dominique Brand, 31, of Marion, for kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder—which was scheduled for Wednesday, March 8, at 10:00 am—has been postponed. A new date for sentencing will be set after the Supreme Court issues an opinion in Lora v. United States.
Five Rock Hill Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Fentanyl Distribution RingRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Five residents of Rock Hill, South Carolina, have been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to charges relating to a multi-state drug operation out of the Rock Hill and Charlotte, North Carolina, area.
- Darryl Hemphill, 35, was sentenced to 16 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release;
- Mikie Marcell Caldwell, 41, was sentenced to 17 years to be followed by 10 years of supervised release;
- Drece Larod McMullen, 41, was sentenced to 11 years to be followed by 10 years of supervised release;
- Odarrius Breonte Adams, 39, was sentenced to 14 years and 3 months to be followed by 6 years of supervised release; and
- Dontavius Devar Jordan, 35, was sentenced to 11 years to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed the sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit began to investigate a group of defendants who were obtaining large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana from a distributor in Southern California. Hemphill and Adams were leaders of the group and helped facilitate the other members’ travel to California. Based upon the investigation, law enforcement was able to determine that members of the group were flying to California and having the drugs shipped back to the Rock Hill and Charlotte area. After the drugs were shipped back, the group distributed the drugs to local dealers. This group shipped more than 255 packages containing the drugs from California during a one-year period and distributed more than five kilograms of cocaine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one kilogram or more of heroin, and more than 1000 grams of marijuana.
The group used the fentanyl to make more than 1 million counterfeit Roxicodone pills, which were sold to users in Rock Hill, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Nineteen defendants were charged in this case. Sixteen defendants, including those listed above, pleaded guilty to their involvement. The remaining three defendants were convicted at trial in August 2022 and will be sentenced later.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the FBI, York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Rock Hill Police Department, York County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.
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The United States Recovers Money Stolen from Embassy Baku by Former EmployeeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - A former employee of the United States Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, has paid the United States $128,000 to resolve allegations that he stole money from the State Department while employed at the embassy.
Rafiq Goyushov, a citizen of Azerbaijan, was employed by the State Department at the United States Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, for approximately 20 years. The settlement agreement resolves allegations that Goyushov, in his role as Housing Assistant with the General Services Office, made fraudulent payments on behalf of the Embassy to Azer Samedov, who then returned money to Goyushov. These payments were for Goyushov’s benefit and were disguised as building operating and parking expenses for multiple residential units leased by Embassy Baku. In reality, there was no valid contract between the State Department and Samedov.
“The District of South Carolina was proud to partner with the Department of State in the worthwhile endeavor of holding accountable public servants who use their position to steal from taxpayers, even those who reside overseas,” stated Adair F. Boroughs, United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina.
“Due to the persistent effort of our special agents, Embassy Baku’s Regional Security Office and DOJ, a former locally employed staff member of Embassy Baku was held accountable for his nefarious actions. This is a clear demonstration of how the State Department’s OIG will not be deterred by the complexities involved with holding fraudsters accountable internationally,” stated Elisabeth Kaminsky, Special Agent in Charge, Department of State, Office of Inspector General.
The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina and the Department of State Office of Inspector General. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Beth C. Warren in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, along with State Department OIG special agents.
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United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs Announces Implementation of New Voluntary Self -Disclosure PolicyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy. The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO). It provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate, and timely and appropriately remediate.
“The Department’s Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy creates specific incentives for corporate leaders to come forward with information about criminal wrongdoing within their companies,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “This is an important step forward for strengthening corporate citizenship and accountability. As with the individuals we prosecute, there are benefits for those companies who take responsibility for their actions and try to make things right.”
The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations. The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy.
Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation. A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by—in the absence of any aggravating factor—fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50% below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.
The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) the misconduct involved current executive management of the company. The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution. If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50% and up to a 75% reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.
In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution. Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to a Total of 10 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dakota F. Brown, 36, of Columbia, was sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl, a quantity of methamphetamine, and a quantity of amphetamine while on federal supervision.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on January 4, 2021, a Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputy conducted a traffic stop of Brown’s vehicle following a traffic violation. Brown, the driver, exited the vehicle and removed a fanny pack from across his chest, laying it in the driver’s seat before walking back to talk to the deputy. After deputies smelled marijuana, the vehicle was searched. The search revealed a loaded 9mm firearm, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and amphetamine within the fanny pack that Brown previously removed from his person. After waiving his Miranda rights, Brown admitted that the items were his and that he had bought the gun off the street in December.
A ballistics analysis through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) linked the firearm to shell casings recovered from December 2020 shooting in Richland County. Local authorities have arrested another individual for that shooting and have no evidence linking Brown to the incident. NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
Brown, who has been in custody since his January 2021 arrest, is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior felony state convictions, which include strong arm robbery, possession of crack cocaine, criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Additionally, at the time of this incident, Brown was on federal supervised release after serving a 108-month sentence from a 2011 federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
United States District Court Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Brown to 96 months in prison, to be served consecutive to the 24-month sentence he received for violating his terms of supervised release. After completing his 120-month sentence, Brown will be on supervised release for 6 years.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey D. Haynes prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina Man Who Trafficked Guns into Connecticut Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Marquis Jerome Pollard, 42, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was sentenced by the United States District Court in Connecticut to 96 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm offenses related to an illegal gun trafficking operation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the Spring of 2021, ATF Task Force officers learned that Pollard used straw purchasers to obtain firearms in South Carolina, and sold the firearms in Connecticut. On April 19, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of a 9mm Glock handgun and a drum magazine from Pollard and Quinn Mooring in New Haven, Connecticut, in exchange for $1,500. The firearm was one of five 9mm handguns that had been purchased by an individual at a pawn shop in Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month prior to the transaction in Connecticut.
On May 3, 2021, investigators surveilled the firearm purchaser as he picked up two additional handguns from the Port Royal firearm dealer and traveled to a restaurant parking lot in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he transferred them to Pollard. When law enforcement attempted to arrest Pollard, he fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. Pollard drove on sidewalks and over curbs during the pursuit, and was eventually apprehended in a residential neighborhood after abandoning his car and attempting to flee on foot. Investigators recovered three firearms from his vehicle, including the two handguns that he received in the restaurant parking lot, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol with a 30-round magazine.
The investigation revealed that Pollard paid two separate straw purchasers to acquire at least 17 firearms for him. In addition to the two handguns that were seized from Pollard’s vehicle and the 9mm handgun that investigators purchased from Pollard in New Haven in April 2021, five additional firearms have been recovered by law enforcement. One was recovered from a felon in New Haven in June 2021; one was recovered from the scene of a shooting in Hamden, Connecticut; one was recovered after it was used in a shooting in New Haven; one was recovered from a juvenile in South Carolina after it had been used in multiple crimes; and one was recovered earlier this month in Hamden from an individual who was fleeing from law enforcement in possession of the firearm and a distribution quantity of crack cocaine. Nine firearms have not been recovered.
Pollard’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina. The South Carolina case was transferred to Connecticut for further prosecution.
Pollard has been detained since his arrest. On October 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
On January 13, 2022, Mooring, of New Haven, pleaded guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon. He awaits sentencing.
The individuals who purchased firearms for Pollard in South Carolina were charged and convicted in the District of South Carolina.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); West Haven, Connecticut, Police Department; New Haven, Connecticut, Police Department; Beaufort, South Carolina, Police Department; and Beaufort County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office. These cases are being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra J. Henderson in the District of South Carolina and Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman in the District of Connecticut.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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California Man Sentenced to More than Seven Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — David Ruger, 44, of Long Beach, California, was sentenced to more than 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that over several years, Ruger was involved in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Ruger’s role in that conspiracy was as a methamphetamine source of supply for distributors in South Carolina. Over the course of the conspiracy, Ruger was attributed more than four kilograms of methamphetamine.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Ruger to 87 months in prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces 20th Annual Project Safe Neighborhoods Logo ContestRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — The United States Attorney's Office is sponsoring the 20th Annual Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”) Logo Contest. The statewide contest welcomes students to illustrate how we can help prevent gun violence in our schools by designing a logo for use on upcoming PSN publications. The theme is “Preventing Gun Violence in Our Schools – Know the Signs.”
The contest is open to all South Carolina grade school students, including homeschooled students, and entries will be categorized into four grade divisions: K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. A winner will be selected from each of the four divisions, and each division winner will receive $50. An overall winning logo will be chosen from the four division winners and will receive an additional $50 prize for a total of $100.
The winning entries will be selected by “The Insiders,” a select group of students from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, who travel throughout the state encouraging children and promoting community awareness of the consequences of juvenile crime. In addition to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, the United States Attorney’s Office is proud to partner with the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association for this year’s contest.
Entries should be consistent with the theme “Preventing Gun Violence in Our Schools – Know the Signs.” The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2023. If your student is interested in participating, contact your local school as contest information has been sent to all South Carolina schools. Applications and contest rules may also be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/programs/ceasefire/project-sentry/contest-winners/contest-rules.
The centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The contest is an important prevention initiative that has proven to be an effective way to engage our students in meaningful conversation about preventing gun crimes among our young people and ensuring a safe learning atmosphere for our schoolchildren.
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Labcorp to Pay the United States $19 Million to Settle Allegations Under the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Labcorp), one of the largest providers for clinical laboratory services, has agreed to pay $19 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by its submission of false claims to Medicare.
The settlement resolves allegations that Labcorp caused the submission of false claims to Medicare as a result of Labcorp’s provision of phlebotomy services for patients whose health care providers were ordering laboratory testing from Labcorp, Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Inc. (HDL), and/or Singulex, Inc. (Singulex) at a time when Relators allege Labcorp knew HDL and/or Singulex were paying health care providers process and handling fees as an inducement to refer patients to their laboratories. HDL and Singulex previously settled their civil liability with the government for a combined $48.5 million.
“Health care decisions should be based on what is in the best interest of the patient, and not on financial incentives and related schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “The efforts of relators like Scarlett Lutz and Kayla Webster are essential to protecting the integrity of our Medicare system, and we thank them for bringing these allegations forward.”
The settlement resolves a lawsuit originally brought by Scarlett Lutz and Kayla Webster under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. As part of this resolution, Lutz and Webster will receive approximately $5.6 million of the federal settlement amount. The whistleblowers in this case were represented by Marc S. Raspanti and Pamela Coyle Brecht of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Stephen Shackelford, Jr. and Steven Shepard of Susman Godfrey, L.L.P.; and Beth B. Richardson of Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC.
The lawsuit resolved by this settlement is captioned United States of America, et al., ex rel. Scarlett Lutz and Kayla Webster v. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Case No. 9:14-cv-3699-RMG (D.S.C.). The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Columbia Man Affiliated with Street Gang Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Marek Cortez Brewer, Jr., 24, of Columbia, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and to possession of a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
Evidence presented in Court shows that between February 2020 and February 2022, Brewer was in illegal possession of at least 5 firearms on 5 separate occasions, 3 of which were stolen firearms and several of which were used in other felony crimes such as attempted murders, shootings, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and flight from the police.
First, on February 22, 2020, Brewer was arrested in Columbia with a 9mm pistol and drug trafficking tools – a digital scale, five plastic bags with marijuana inside, numerous empty plastic bags, and a plastic bag with pills.
Second, on November 14, 2020, Brewer was arrested again in Columbia with a stolen and loaded.40 caliber pistol and marijuana after Richland County deputies responded to an area following a report of 6 shots fired.
Third, on January 11, 2021, Brewer was arrested in Fairfield County after taking S.C. Highway Patrol on a car chase that reached 125 miles per hour and crossed into two counties. The vehicle Brewer was driving was stolen out of Cayce, and when Brewer fled on foot, he dropped a stolen and loaded 9mm pistol. From jail, Brewer made a recorded call that he got into a “high speed” with a firearm and that he was going to have to go “back up the road,” but that he was “not even mad.” An ATF forensic investigation determined the firearm recovered from this incident was used in a shooting on Assembly Street in Columbia on December 8, 2020, about one month before it was recovered from Brewer.
Fourth, on May 18, 2021, Brewer was arrested in Columbia for his alleged involvement in the armed robbery of a firearm from a victim. In that robbery, three armed males approached the victim and told him to empty his pockets and hand over the “thing.” A firearm was in the victim’s pocket. The victim handed over the firearm and fled, and as he did, shots were fired. When Brewer was arrested on this date, he was found with the .40 caliber pistol stolen from that victim.
Fifth, on February 26, 2022, Brewer was arrested again in Columbia for his alleged involvement in the shooting of two victims – one in the back and one above the left eye – from a vehicle travelling on River Drive in Columbia. Brewer again took the police on a chase that exceeded 100 miles per hour before he was arrested with suspected narcotics, a digital scale, $900 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm pistol.
Evidence presented in Court also indicated that Brewer is affiliated with a documented street gang.
Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Brewer to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) as well as the Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), who conducted firearm and shell casing forensic examinations. Assistant United States Attorney Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
As for the forensic examination of the firearm and shell casings, this case relied on ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). NIBIN is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN is a proven investigative and intelligence tool that can link firearms from multiple crime scenes, allowing law enforcement to quickly disrupt shooting cycles. For more information on NIBIN, visit https://www.atf.gov/firearms/national-integrated-ballistic-information-network-nibin.
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RESCHEDULED - Media Advisory - Marion County Man to be Sentenced in Federal Court for Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Murder of 80-Year-Old VictimRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — The sentencing of Dominique Brand, 31, of Marion, for kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, and using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in a manner constituting murder has been rescheduled.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 10:00 am
WHERE: McMillan Federal Building
Courtroom 1
401 West Evans Street
Florence, South Carolina
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North Charleston Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jonathan Reece Scarborough, 36, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to production of child pornography.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that on September 25, 2019, the North Charleston Police Department was contacted regarding a 10-year-old prepubescent female victim who had reported being sexually abused by Jonathan Reece Scarborough.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained and executed search warrants at Scarborough’s residence in North Charleston, his cell phone, and his laptop. Computer forensics examiners searched Scarborough’s cell phone and laptop and found images and a video of him sexually abusing the minor female victim. The examiners also found hundreds of child pornography images Scarborough obtained from the internet, including images of prepubescent and pubescent minors being sexually assaulted by adults.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Jonathan Reece Scarborough to 360 months in prison, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dean H. Secor is prosecuting the case.
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Jamaican Nationals Sentenced to Federal Prison for Their Roles in Lottery Scam Targeting Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- Two Jamaican nationals – Rojay Lawson, 24, and Theresa Lawson, 53 – were each sentenced to more than five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to their roles in a fraudulent lottery scam that targeted elderly victims around the country.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that, as part of the scheme, the defendants, or their co-conspirators, would contact elderly victims and falsely inform the victims that they had won a sweepstakes. The supposed prizes in these sweepstakes usually consisted of millions of dollars, a new vehicle, or other valuable items. The defendants and their co-conspirators would tell the victims that they needed to pay bogus fees and/or taxes in order to collect their purported winnings.
The defendants and their co-conspirators would direct the elderly victims where to send the bogus fees and/or taxes. Evidence showed victims purchased prepaid cards, USPS money orders, or bank money orders; mailed cash or personal checks; or made wire deposits into the defendants’ bank accounts. The defendants in turn wired the fraudulent funds to co-conspirators in Jamaica. The defendants received more than $700,000 from the victims they targeted. At least 175 victims suffered a loss as part of the scheme. Approximately 70 victims were over the age of 80. The oldest victim was 96 years old.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced both Rojay Lawson and Theresa Lawson to 78 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision, in the event they are not deported upon release. There is no parole in the federal system. The defendants were also ordered to pay $405,401.00 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Limehouse and Amy Bower prosecuted the case.
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Andrews Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Postal Carrier, Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- Jerome Terrell Davis, 30, of Andrews, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the robbery of a United States Postal Service mail carrier and his role in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy.
Evidence presented by the Government at the change-of-plea hearing established that on September 23, 2019, Davis and his co-defendant Trevor Raekwon Seward were anticipating the delivery of two pounds of marijuana that had been shipped from California through the United States Postal Service. Rather than deliver the package to Seward’s residence in Andrews, mail carrier Irene Pressley placed a form in Seward’s mailbox stating that the authorized recipient would need to come to the post office to claim the package.
Shortly thereafter, Seward left home armed with an AR-15. Davis then picked Seward up and they began searching for Pressley. Davis ultimately dropped Seward off on Senate Road in Andrews, where Seward fired approximately twenty rounds from his AR-15 into the back of Pressley’s vehicle, striking her multiple times. Seward then got into Pressley’s vehicle and drove approximately three miles away, where he left Pressley and her vehicle in a ditch on an access road to a hunt club. While on the access road, Seward removed mail from Pressley’s vehicle and searched through packages for the package intended for his residence or any other items of value. The package of marijuana that had been shipped to Seward’s residence was later found on Senate Road, where Pressley had been shot by Seward.
A jury in United States District Court previously convicted Seward of first degree murder, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and conspiracy to traffic marijuana for his role in the murder and robbery of Pressley.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins accepted Davis’ plea and will sentence Davis after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Davis faces up to twenty years in prison for the robbery of Pressley and up to five years in prison for the marijuana conspiracy conviction.
“Our office is committed to holding violent criminals accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “Our mail carriers are increasingly becoming targets around the country, and we are grateful for the work done by our federal and local partners, particularly the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, in their efforts to bring justice to the individuals responsible for the robbery and murder of Irene Pressley.”
“The guilty plea by the defendant sends a strong message that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and our partners will work tirelessly to bring justice against individuals responsible for causing harm to our Postal employees,” said Tommy D. Coke, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Irene Pressley was a dedicated public servant in her community. I want to sincerely thank our partners for their support and commitment in identifying and holding accountable the individuals involved in this case to the full extent of the law.”
“The robbery and murder of Irene Pressley was a truly senseless act of violence,” said Williamsburg County Sheriff Stephen R. Gardner. “With the guilty plea entered by Mr. Davis and the jury’s conviction of Mr. Seward, we are pleased that the individuals who committed such a malicious crime will be held accountable for their actions.”
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Nick Bianchi, Katherine Flynn and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case.
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Rock Hill Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Fentanyl Distribution RingRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Patricia Ann Hemphill, 51, of Rock Hill, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison after pleading guilty relating to a multi-state drug operation out of the Rock Hill and Charlotte, North Carolina area.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit began to investigate a group of defendants who were obtaining large amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana from a distributor in Southern California. Based upon the investigation, law enforcement was able to determine that members of the group were flying to California and having the drugs shipped back to the Rock Hill and Charlotte area. After the drugs were shipped back, the group distributed the drugs to local dealers. This group shipped more than 255 packages containing the drugs from California during a one-year period and distributed more than five kilograms of cocaine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one kilogram or more of heroin, and more than 1000 grams of marijuana.
The group used the fentanyl to make more than 1 million counterfeit Roxicodone pills, which were sold to users in Rock Hill, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Evidence showed that Hemphill allowed her son to use her house in distributing some of these drugs to others in the area.
Nineteen defendants were charged in this case. Sixteen defendants, including Hemphill and her son Darryl Hemphill, pled guilty to their involvement. The remaining three defendants were convicted at trial in August 2022 and will be sentenced at a later date.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Hemphill to 36 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by the FBI, York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Rock Hill Police Department, York County Sheriff’s Office, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.
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Man Charged with Hate Crime and Obstruction and Second Man Charged with Obstruction Offenses Following Murder of Transgender Woman in Allendale, South CarolinaRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - A five-count federal indictment was unsealed charging two South Carolina men with hate crime and obstruction offenses, arising from the murder of Dime Doe of Allendale, South Carolina.
The indictment charges Daqua Ritter, 26, with a hate crime for the murder of Doe, a transgender woman, because of her gender identity; using a firearm in connection with the hate crime; and obstruction of justice. The indictment also charges Xavier Pinckney, 24, with two obstruction offenses for providing false and misleading statements to authorities investigating the murder.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 4, 2019, Ritter shot Doe, a transgender woman, because of her actual and perceived gender identity. The indictment further charges Ritter with misleading state investigators about his whereabouts the day of the murder. The indictment also alleges that Pinckney concealed from state investigators the use of his phone to call and text Dime Doe the day of the murder and lied to state and federal investigators about seeing Ritter after the morning of the murder.
The hate crime count against Ritter carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The counts charging Ritter and Pinckney with obstruction of justice carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment. The count charging Pinckney with lying to federal investigators carries a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with the assistance of South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brook Andrews, Ben Garner, and Elle Klein for the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Andrew Manns of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
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Andrews Man Convicted of Robbing and Murdering Postal Carrier, Faces Life SentenceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA ---- Trevor Raekwon Seward, 25, of Andrews, SC, was convicted following a multi-day jury trial of all five counts charged: murder of a federal employee in the course of her duties; use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; robbery; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana.
Evidence presented by the Government at trial in the case established that on September 23, 2019, Seward was anticipating the delivery of two pounds of marijuana that had been shipped from California through the United States Postal Service. Rather than deliver the package to Seward’s residence in Andrews, SC, mail carrier Irene Pressley placed a form in Seward’s mailbox stating that the authorized recipient would need to come to the post office to claim the package. After Seward confronted Pressley minutes later and failed to get the marijuana package, he returned home.
Seward left home shortly thereafter armed with an AR-15 in search of Pressley. Approximately one hour after she had left the form in Seward’s mailbox, Pressley was driving down Senate Road in Andrews, SC, when Seward fired approximately twenty rounds of from his AR-15 into the back of Pressley’s vehicle, striking her multiple times. Seward then got into Pressley’s vehicle and drove approximately three miles away, where he left Pressley and her vehicle in a ditch on an access road to a hunt club. While on the access road, Seward removed mail from Pressley’s vehicle and searched through packages for the package intended for his residence or any other items of value. The package of marijuana that had been shipped to Seward’s residence was later found on Senate Road where Pressley had been shot by Seward.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins presided over the trial and will sentence Seward after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report that will be prepared by the United States Probation Office. Seward faces a mandatory penalty of life imprisonment for the murder of Pressley. Seward also faces up to life imprisonment for the use of firearm in furtherance of Pressley’s murder; up to twenty years imprisonment for the robbery of Pressley; up to ten years for illegal possession of a firearm; and up to five years imprisonment for the marijuana conspiracy conviction.
“The prosecution of violent crime is a priority for our office, and that is especially true when the victim of that violence is a federal employee murdered for doing her job,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We are grateful for the work done by our federal and local partners, particularly the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, in their efforts to bring justice for such a senseless act of violence.”
“This conviction demonstrates our commitment to ensure that all USPS employees can work and serve the public without having to endure an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will utilize all of our resources and work in collaboration with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold individuals responsible that threaten a safe work environment for our employees,” said Tommy D. Coke, Postal Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the Pressley family, and we are thankful for the assistance from those who helped to ensure the defendant was held accountable for the senseless act of violence against Irene Pressley.”
“We are committed to bringing anyone who commits crimes of violence in Williamsburg County to justice,” said Williamsburg County Sheriff Stephen R. Gardner. “We are thankful for the jury’s decision in this case to hold Trevor Seward responsible for his murder of Irene Pressley, a murder committed because she refused to deliver two pounds of marijuana to him.”
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Nick Bianchi, Katherine Flynn and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case.
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Seven Sentenced in Kickback Conspiracy to Defraud Federal Health Insurance ProgramsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA --- Seven individuals have been sentenced after pleading guilty for their roles in a kickback conspiracy to enrich themselves at the expense of the United States and beneficiaries of federal health insurance programs.
Evidence presented to the Court showed the kickback scheme generally operated as follows:
- Durable Medical Equipment Companies (“DME Companies”) entered into agreements with marketing companies and/or call centers to purchase completed product orders, sometimes referred to as “leads.”
- These completed product orders included patient information and signed prescriptions for durable medical equipment.
- Marketing companies and/or call centers entered into agreements with telemedicine companies to obtain the signed prescription and the telemedicine companies contracted with physicians, often referred to as “telemedicine physicians.”
- The telemedicine physicians involved in the kickback conspiracy would often sign the prescriptions of the federal health insurance program beneficiaries without ever speaking to, examining, or following up with the patients. The telemedicine physicians did not have patient/healthcare professional relationships.
- The DME companies would pay the marketing companies and/or other call centers on a per-prescription basis. The DME companies would then take prescription and patient information and submit or cause to be submitted claims, or bills, to federal health insurance programs.
- To disguise the arrangement between the marketing companies/call centers and DME companies, the marketing companies/call centers sent invoices to the DME companies that disguised the fact that what was being purchased was a signed prescription and patient information.
- The scheme used drop ship companies to process the orders and ultimately ship the DME products to the beneficiaries. These dropship companies were paid by the DME companies participating in the scheme.
The individuals sentenced were involved in the kickback conspiracy as owners of the marketing companies or call centers, owners of the dropship companies, telemedicine physicians, or owners of the DME companies billing the federal health insurance programs.
The following individuals have been sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr.:
- Henry Barton was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Barton was also ordered to pay $1,850,000.00 in restitution.
- David Tsui was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison, to be followed by three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Tsui was also ordered to pay $1,003,300.00 in restitution. The dropship company Tsui owned was ordered to pay a $400,000 fine.
- Jeffrey Hoffman was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, to be followed by three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Hoffman was also ordered to pay $238,150.00 in restitution.
- Steve Lowell was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison, to be followed by three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Lowell was also ordered to pay $919,548.00 in restitution.
- Christina Anderson was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, to be followed by three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Anderson was also ordered to pay $14,863.00 in restitution.
- Kathryn VanRavenstein was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, 8 months of which will be on home detention, and ordered to pay $46,250.00 in restitution.
- John Hynes was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, 180 days of which will be on home detention, and ordered to pay $39,925.00 in restitution.
These sentencings are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General – Veteran Affairs, and the Office of the Inspector General – Health and Human Services, specifically Special Agent Ryan Schubert. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Bower prosecuted the case for the District of South Carolina.
These sentences are the result of a national case spearheaded by the District of South Carolina that led to prosecutions in several federal districts around the United States. The case was prosecuted in conjunction with the Department of Justice Healthcare Fraud Strikeforce.
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Gaffney Man Who Crushed Officer with His Car Sentenced to over 34 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Cornelius Mayberry, 41, of Gaffney, was sentenced to more than 34 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Brandy Scates, 37, also of Gaffney, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that on May 3, 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a sting operation at a motel in Cherokee County and arrested Mayberry with two kilograms of methamphetamine. A search of Mayberry’s residence revealed another kilogram of methamphetamine, a bag of fentanyl, three firearms, and ammunition. Mayberry was initially charged by the State and made bond.
On August 27, 2018, a Homeland Security task force officer and a Cherokee County captain were conducting surveillance in the case and made a traffic stop of a vehicle Mayberry was driving. The task force officer advised Mayberry that Mayberry had outstanding federal warrants. Mayberry resisted arrest and struggled against the task force officer. The captain crawled into the back of the SUV, attempting to restrain Mayberry from behind. Mayberry drove the SUV forward, with the task force officer’s torso in the driver’s side window, and knocked the captain out of the SUV on to the ground. The vehicle hit a ditch and flipped onto the task force officer, crushing his legs.
Mayberry climbed out of the flipped SUV—stepping on top of the pinned task force officer—and began to fight the captain. The captain was able to put Mayberry in handcuffs but had to release Mayberry to call for help for the task force officer, who was still pinned and significantly injured under the SUV. Mayberry came into federal custody on April 4, 2019, and he has remained in custody since.
Evidence presented to the Court regarding Brandi Scates showed that in 2018, Scates conspired with Mayberry to distribute methamphetamine and was found in possession of 196.8 grams of methamphetamine on August 21, 2018.
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “Those who put them in harm’s way in the course of committing other crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful to HSI and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their work in bringing these defendants to justice.”
“This verdict sends a strong message, that those who sell and distribute this poison in our communities or target law enforcement officers will be held accountable,” said Ronnie Martinez, special agent in charge of HSI Charlotte, which covers North and South Carolina. “Thanks to the great work of the agents and officers involved in this case and to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, our community is much safer.”
“This is a great example of a partnership between local and federal agencies working together to remove major distributors of illegal narcotics from our neighborhoods,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller. “These career drug dealers will no longer have the ability to push poison on our streets after receiving these lengthy prison sentences. We are grateful for the work of all involved to help secure the lengthy prison sentences, which should send a message to others in our community who choose to push poison on our streets: you could be next.”
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Mayberry to 414 months in prison, to be followed by court-ordered supervision. Judge Hendricks sentenced Scates to 120 months in prison, to be followed by court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Highlights Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness MonthRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — In recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina affirms its continued commitment to work with federal, state, and local partners to combat human trafficking in all its forms.
“Human trafficking is an assault on the dignity and freedom of the men, women, and children who fall victim to it,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office – along with our federal, state, and local partners – remains committed to making our state a more dangerous place for traffickers to operate and a safer place for trafficking survivors. We thank the law enforcement agencies and service providers who partner with us, and we look forward to continuing in this work.”
In the past year, the United States Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of its law enforcement partners, prosecuted the following noteworthy cases:
United States v. Robinson, Crim. No. 2:21-cr-211-RMG. Brian Lydell Robinson, from Charleston, was convicted of extorting a victim for money and sex and for impersonating a federal law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of court-ordered supervision. According to evidence presented in court, Robinson threatened the victim by telling her that she would be prosecuted, which would ruin her reputation, unless she assisted in an undercover operation against an alleged sex trafficker who was, in fact, Robinson. In truth there was no investigation, and Robinson used the scheme to extort money and sex from his victim by posing as the trafficker under investigation, the investigator, and a defense lawyer.
United States v. Watson et. al. , Crim. No 3:20-cr-492-JFA. Brian Leroy Watson, a/k/a “Lil B,” of Blythewood, was convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin. Numerous witnesses told the FBI that Watson manipulated the withdrawal symptoms and drug dependence of women to obtain commercial sex for his financial gain. When a victim disclosed to law enforcement that Watson sexually assaulted her, he denied it, and instead said he was prostituting her. Advertisements linked to Watson’s phone provided evidence that he was advertising the victim while she was a minor. Evidence demonstrated Watson knew the victim was a minor. Watson’s sentencing is pending and he faces up to Life in prison. His co-defendant, Ryan Darian Grover, was convicted of human trafficking conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
United States v. Grow et. al. , Crim. No. 4:21-cr-173-SAL. In this multi-defendant case that stretched across multiple states, four defendants were convicted of sex trafficking of minors and related offenses. The defendants included three from the Myrtle Beach area. According to evidence presented in court, the lead defendant, Hart William Grow, communicated with at least 23 minors in this scheme where he gained the trust of minor victims online by purporting to be interested in a relationship. Grow forced minor victims to produce sexually explicit photos and videos with adult men, after which Grow would collect the files. His victims were in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, along with others in South Carolina and across the country. Grow was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison and co-defendant Theodore Woolings Bye received a sentence of 24 years, both to be followed by lifetime supervision by the federal court.
United States v. Thomas, Crim. No. 4:21-cr-554-SAL. Johnny Ricardo Thomas, from North Carolina, was convicted of coercing 15- and 16-year-old minors to engage in prostitution in the Myrtle Beach area. According to evidence presented, Thomas knew his victims were minors, and he would threaten one minor victim that he would sell her, slice off her toes, or something worse if she did not participate in commercial sex. Thomas was sentenced to more than 21 years in federal prison to be followed by lifetime supervision.
United States v. Garland et al., Crim. No. 8:20-cr-0452-SAL. Following the conviction of eight defendants on sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor charges – two lead defendants and six customers – Gary Garland and Shannon Garland, a husband and wife from Anderson, were sentenced to 35 years and 26.5 years in federal prison respectively, to be followed by lifetime supervision. The lead defendants forced two minor victims to participate in more than 300 commercial sex encounters, provided illegal drugs to the minor victims, and made their victims completely dependent on the Garlands for survival. Other participants in the sex trafficking conspiracy were also sentenced to prison time.
United States v. Balcazar et al., Crim. No. 3:21-cr-834-SAL. In this labor trafficking case, a father, daughter, and their labor contracting business, all from Lexington, were convicted of forced labor, fraud in foreign labor trafficking, and confiscation of passports related to labor trafficking. According to evidence presented in court, the defendants enticed seasonal agricultural workers from Mexico to work on South Carolina farms through false and fraudulent pretenses. Once the victim employees arrived in South Carolina, they were subject to high levels of control, passport confiscation, underpayment, and inadequate housing conditions. The defendants are awaiting sentencing.
United States v. Jones, et. al. , Crim. No. 3:22-cr-726-SAL. A federal grand jury in Columbia indicted Eric Rashun Jones, a/k/a “E Dolla,” a/k/a “E,” from Newberry, and Brittany Danielle Cromer, from Greenville, on multiple sex trafficking charges involving numerous victims. The grand jury also charged defendants with human trafficking conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and witness tampering for interference in the human trafficking investigation. Jones is detained pending the outcome of the case, and both defendants face up to life in prison. All charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
To report a tip or ask for help, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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Greenville Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Jason Dwayne Holley, 40, of Greenville, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that Holley was released from federal prison on August 30, 2022, after serving a sentence for possession of child pornography. Within a matter of weeks, the U.S. Probation Office found that Holley possessed two images of child pornography on his phone and was conducting searches on his phone for child pornography. A warrant was issued, and Holley was arrested on September 26, 2022 – less than one month from his release from prison.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Holley to 60 months in prison, to be followed by a life term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.
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