District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Kershaw County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Van Lydell Starling, 48, of Kershaw, has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on July 20, 2023, investigators with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a home on Green Hill Road in Lugoff, which was the known residence of Starling.
During the search, investigators found multiple guns, a box of sandwich bags with a razor blade, several digital scales with white residue on them, a clear container containing crack cocaine residue, a black notebook that appeared to be a drug ledger, Starling’s identification card, and crack cocaine located under the mattress in Starling’s bedroom. Based upon the amounts of drugs, the multiple digital scales, the sandwich bags, and the drug ledger, the police determined that the crack cocaine was intended to be distributed.
Starling faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Starling after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Charleston ChildrenRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hector Ivan Martinez, 20, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that in the summer of 2024, Martinez targeted a group of 10 and 11-year-old minor victims in the Charleston community. Martinez posed as a 15-year-old boy and targeted the minor victims on social media. Martinez engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the minor victims and sent them sexually explicit videos and images of himself. He then manipulated the minor victims into producing and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. A review of Martinez’s electronic devices showed that he had targeted at least 45 victims across the United States. Martinez was also found to have used an encrypted application to contact an individual in the Philippines to solicit livestreamed child sexual abuse, which he then recorded and saved on his devices.
United States District Judge Richard Gergel sentenced Martinez to 240 months imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Martinez will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.
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 and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Orville prosecuted the case.###
U.S. Attorney’s Office Reaches $7.9M in Settlements Connected to PPP Fraud Enforcement InitiativeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — United States Attorney Bryan P. Stirling announced today that the District of South Carolina entered multiple settlements with defendants for more than $7.9 million, resolving allegations that various companies violated the False Claims Act by providing false information to obtain over $5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for which they were not eligible.
“These settlements reflect our commitment to protecting taxpayers and holding those accountable who disregard program requirements in order to obtain federal funds they are not entitled to,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Our team secured these settlements in the first five months of 2026, and we’ll continue to aggressively pursue individuals or businesses who defraud our taxpayers.”
Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secured Act (CARES Act) in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses through the PPP, which the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) administered. The PPP provided for loans in two “draws”—first draw loans became available in March 2020, with a second draw announced in January 2021. To be eligible for PPP loans, businesses were required to certify on their loan applications that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees they, and their affiliated entities, collectively employed. In determining the number of employees, businesses generally were required to count all employees of U.S. and foreign affiliates. Businesses with more than 500 employees were not eligible for first draw loans, and businesses with more than 300 employees were not eligible for second draw loans.
The District of South Carolina has entered into settlement agreements with the following organizations to resolve allegations that they falsely certified eligibility for PPP loans by misrepresenting their total number of employees, including all affiliates, in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA).EuWe Eugen Wexler US Plastics Inc. is a company with a principal place of business in Williamston that specializes in the production of plastics parts used in automobiles. In 2021, EuWe Eugen US received a $1,627,947 second draw PPP loan. As part of the loan application, EuWe Eugen US certified that it had 169 employees, but in reality its employee headcount together with its German parent company, EuWe Eugen Wexler Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, and its subsidiaries, exceeded the 300-employee cap. EuWe Eugen US later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of the loan, plus interest. EuWe Eugen US has agreed to pay $2,175,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by obtaining this PPP loan for which it was ineligible. The settlement resolves allegations brought in the qui tam action in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina captioned United States ex rel. GNGH2 Inc. v. EuWe Eugen Wexler US Plastics, Inc., No. 8:24-cv-05297-DCC. Relator GNGH2 received $217,500 as a share of the settlement amount.
Mankiewicz Coatings, LLC is a company with a principal place of business in Charleston that specializes in industrial coating systems. In 2021, Mankiewicz Coatings received a $1,221,263 first draw PPP loan. As part of the loan application, Mankiewicz Coatings certified that it had 80 employees, but in reality its employee headcount together with its German parent company, KG Erste Grau Vewaltungs-GmbH & Co., and its subsidiaries, exceeded the 500-employee cap. Mankiewicz Coatings later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of the loan, plus interest. Mankiewicz Coatings has agreed to pay $1,850,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by obtaining this PPP loan for which it was ineligible.
Fukoku America, Inc. is a company with a principal place of business in Laurens that specializes in the production of rubber parts used in various vehicles and machines. In 2021, Fukoku America received a $1,212,950 second draw PPP loan. As part of the loan application, Fukoku America certified that it had 157 employees, but in reality its employee headcount together with its Japanese parent company, Fukoku Co. Ltd., and its subsidiaries, exceeded the 300-employee cap. Fukoku America later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of the loan, plus interest. Fukoku America has agreed to pay $1,800,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by obtaining this PPP loan for which it was ineligible. The settlement resolves allegations brought in the qui tam action in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina captioned United States ex rel. Blockquote, Inc. v. Fukoku America, Inc., No. 6:24-cv-01579-DCC. Relator Blockquote received $180,000 as a share of the settlement amount.
AWL Automation, LLC is a company with a principal place of business in Spartanburg that specializes in the design and production of automated machines for use in manufacturing. In 2021, AWL Automation received a $741,185 second draw PPP loan. As part of the loan application, AWL Automation certified that it had 32 employees, but in reality its employee headcount together with its parent company, Nobel Future B.V., which is located in the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries, exceeded the 300-employee cap. AWL Automation later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of the loan, plus interest. AWL Automation has agreed to pay $1,100,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by obtaining this PPP loan for which it was ineligible.
Stoba USA Corp. is a company with a principal place of business in Charleston that specializes in high-precision metal components. In 2021, Stoba USA received a $683,695 second draw PPP loan. As part of the loan application, Stoba USA certified that it had 39 employees, but in reality its employee headcount together with its German parent company, Stoba Holding GmbH Co Kg, and its subsidiaries, exceeded the 300-employee cap. Stoba USA later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of the loan, plus interest. Stoba USA has agreed to pay $993,784.86 to resolve allegations that it violated the FCA by obtaining this PPP loan for which it was ineligible. The settlement resolves allegations brought in the qui tam action in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. Stoba USA Corporation, No. 2:25-cv-03884-RMG. Relator Verity will receive a share of the settlement amount.
The government’s investigations were led by Assistant United States Attorneys Austin E. McCullough and James C. Leventis, Jr. The United States Attorney further wishes to commend attorney Kandace Zelaya of the SBA Office of the General Counsel for her assistance in the investigations.
The claims resolved by civil settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.###
Gosnell Co-Conspirator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — John Badger Thorpe, 69, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive and distribute child sexual abuse material and two counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in December 2023, Thorpe began communicating with former Charleston County Magistrate Judge James Benjamin Gosnell, Jr., via text message and encrypted apps. Thorpe and Gosnell discussed their shared sexual preference for minors, primarily the violent sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. In the summer of 2024, Gosnell traveled to Thorpe’s home in Florida with a flash drive containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Thorpe and Gosnell viewed the CSAM together, and then Gosnell left the thumb drive of CSAM with Thorpe, who then sent it back to Gosnell in Charleston via FedEx. In August and September of 2025, Thorpe distributed CSAM to Gosnell by sending him an explicit image of a toddler they discussed abusing.
Thorpe faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each count. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and up to a lifetime of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Thorpe after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
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. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Orville and Emily Limehouse are prosecuting the case.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
NOTE: James Benjamin Gosnell, Jr. has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child sexual abuse material involving a prepubescent minor, three counts of receipt and attempted receipt of child sexual abuse material, conspiracy to receive and distribute child sexual abuse material, and distribution of child sexual abuse material. He is scheduled for trial beginning Aug. 24, 2026.Conway Felon Sentenced to Nearly 12 Years in Federal Prison for Weapon ViolationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Brian Justin Canty, 37, of Conway, was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court showed that Canty possessed guns and drugs during two separate traffic stops in 2023.On March 1, 2023, Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle in Georgetown. Canty was in the front passenger seat. During a search of the vehicle, deputies found a red backpack beneath Canty’s feet. The backpack contained a loaded 9mm pistol with 17 rounds of ammunition, packaged marijuana, and a digital scale.
On April 28, 2023, less than two months later, the South Carolina Highway Patrol stopped another vehicle in Myrtle Beach. Canty was again in the front passenger seat. Officers found a stolen pistol under Canty’s seat. They also found approximately 133 grams of marijuana, 100 dosage units of MDMA, and a hydrocodone pill.
Canty is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has previous felony convictions, including multiple drug distribution offenses and firearms offenses.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Canty to 141 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years 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 and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow prosecuted the case.###
Berkeley County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Levi Phillip Miles, 48, of Goose Creek, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and oxycontin, and distribution of fentanyl, resulting in the death of a local lawyer.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that from at least January 2022 to January 2023, Miles regularly distributed prescription pain pills to his employer and cousin, David Aylor. By the summer of 2022, Miles could no longer obtain legitimate prescription pain pills from his suppliers. Nevertheless, in December 2022, the victim continued to request pain pills, causing Miles to seek pills for an alternate source.
On Jan. 1, 2023, Miles obtained what he believed to be legitimate pain pills but were illicit pills laced with fentanyl. Miles distributed the pills to Aylor that afternoon. The victim was found dead in his home on Jan. 2, 2023. An autopsy of the victim revealed the presence of fentanyl in his system, and subsequent investigation confirmed that the fentanyl was present in the pills the victim received from Miles on Jan. 1. As part of his guilty plea, Miles agreed not to contest the fact that the victim’s death was caused by the controlled substances that he distributed.
“This case is yet another example of the tragic realities of fentanyl in our communities. Let this be a reminder that one pill can kill,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who funnel this poison into our communities. We send our condolences to the loved ones of Mr. Aylor and hope this sentence brings a sense of closure.”
United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks sentenced Miles to 60 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. The court also imposed a $40,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.###
Rock Hill Man Indicted for Threatening the PresidentRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a two-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging John Alexander Bellue, 32, of Rock Hill, for threatening the President of the United States and for interstate communication of a threat to injure.
The indictment alleges that on Sept. 7, 2025, Bellue posted the following threat to the President on the social media platform X:
“@realDonaldTrump you have the right to remain silent, I’m gonna kill you in the most brutal way possible.”
Bellue faces a maximum penalty of not more than five years’ imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $250,000. His arraignment date has not been scheduled yet.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry McTigue is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 16 years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine, FentanylRead the Press Release
OLUMBIA, S.C. — Micaiah Green, 31, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.
Evidence presented in court established that agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Green as a significant supplier of narcotics in the Columbia area. Investigators learned through multiple sources that Green used various hotel rooms to store and distribute controlled substances. Between April and June 2024, Green distributed more than 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of fentanyl, and 900 grams of marijuana in the Columbia area.
Green has an extensive criminal history that includes prior convictions for burglary, first-degree assault and battery, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, trafficking methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine base, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Green was on state bond at the time of the offense conduct in this case.
United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Green to 200 months in prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
26 Indicted in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation into Lowcountry Gang Drug Trafficking NetworkRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a nine-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging 14 individuals with trafficking narcotics, including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. This indictment is part of a years-long drug trafficking investigation, spanning South Carolina and extending into Georgia and Mexico. To date, 26 people have been charged for their roles in the conspiracy, and eight of those defendants have pleaded guilty.
The following charges were unsealed this morning, according to court documents:- Shawntez Gailliard, 33, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine
- Two counts of distributing cocaine
- Distributing meth
- If convicted, Gailliard faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
- Harold Alvin Champaigne, 50, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine
- Distributing more than 500 grams of cocaine
- If convicted, Champaigne faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
- Odilon Reynoso Albaran, 60, of Atlanta, Georgia.
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- If convicted, Albaran faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison.
- Dominic Jaquan Mack, 45, of North Charleston.
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- If convicted, Mack faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
- Brandon Derrick Brown, 31, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- If convicted, Brown faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
- Anthony Lee Smalls, 50, of Ravenel
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
- If convicted, Smalls faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison.
- Travis Richardson, 28, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
- If convicted, Richardson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life in prison.
- Anthony Lorenzo Joyner, 47, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
- If convicted, Joyner faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison.
- Damein Rashane Waterman, 45, of Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
- If convicted, Waterman faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
- Scott Alexander Bolger, 40, of Summerville
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
- If convicted, Bolger faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison.
- Levi Levante Kajana Cohen, IV., 31, of Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
- If convicted, Cohen faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison.
- Scott Clayton Hollins, 56, of North Charleston
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.
- Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine, and a quantity of fentanyl.
- Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- If convicted, Hollins faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years to life in prison.
- Christopher Obrian Millhouse, 40
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.
- Distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine.
- If convicted, Millhouse faces a mandatory minimum of 1o years to life in prison.
- Keno Rahmaund Sherman, 48, of Summerville
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute more than a quantity of cocaine.
- If convicted, Sherman faces up to 30 years in prison.
The indictment alleges that, beginning in 2017, the FBI and local law enforcement partners investigated street gangs operating in North Charleston including Gangster Disciples and the Fruit Town Piru, a sect of the Bloods. The investigation uncovered a layered drug-trafficking network that extended beyond South Carolina and included supply connections in Atlanta and Mexico. At the street level, gang members and others distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine throughout Charleston County. Investigators then worked up the supply chain and identified the wholesale suppliers responsible for obtaining and distributing the largest quantities of drugs. Those suppliers were ultimately arrested and indicted.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 61 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, 24 pounds of marijuana, 600 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of heroin and thousands of narcotics pills, as well as 12 firearms.
Several defendants previously indicted in this case have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing including Bernard Garland Gregory, Sharon T. Carter, Mary Nelly Ayala, Quentin Rambert, Jabari Cortez Lee, Marchevis Jefferson, Meri Elizabeth Sottile, and Amanda Danielle Forth.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Secret Service, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, City of Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, North Charleston Police Department, Summerville Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston Aviation Authority and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
- Shawntez Gailliard, 33, of North Charleston
Upstate Trio Indicted for Roles in Deadly Interstate Robbery and Kidnapping PlotRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Greenville returned a 10-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Elisa Marie Rosario, 33, and Jeremy Todd Lark, a/k/a “Jeremy Abdul Wakil Jones,” 42, both of Roebuck, and Kezayvian Lee Campbell, 19, of Greenville, with robbery affecting commerce and conspiracy to do the same, kidnapping resulting in death and conspiracy to do the same, use of a firearm during a crime of violence to cause death, obstruction of justice, interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, destruction of the vehicle, by fire, to prevent its search and seizure by law enforcement and providing false statements to federal agents.
The indictment alleges that beginning on or about June 16, 2025, a Spartanburg County couple and a third man executed a scheme to kidnap and rob M.B.G., a person engaged in a business and activities affecting interstate commerce, of money, jewelry, a cell phone, and a 2025 Hyundai Genesis he rented from Enterprise. The defendants are alleged to have enticed M.B.G. to travel from South Carolina to Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, North Carolina under the pretense of a date with Rosario. In preparation for their trip to North Carolina, the defendants were in possession of two firearms and other materials they planned to use in the commission of the charged crimes, including latex gloves and masks.
The indictment also alleges that in the early morning hours of June 17, shortly after he arrived at the casino, Rosario urged the victim to leave. Rosario and the victim then took a quick trip to a nearby convenience store. After a few minutes inside the store, Rosario drove the victim away from the store parking lot and then pulled the car over at a location where Campbell exited Lark’s car and entered the victim’s car. The three defendants, traveling in two cars, then held and transported the victim 12 miles away into Sylva, North Carolina to rob him. According to the indictment, during the robbery, the defendants shot the victim with a firearm, resulting in his death. While traveling, the defendants discarded the victim’s property. Later that evening, authorities in Spartanburg located the victim’s body and his burning rental car in a wooded area near the intersection of Woodburn Road and Pinecrest Road. The victim’s jewelry was found in the defendants’ Roebuck residence.“The alleged actions of these defendants show a dark and devious scheme that crossed states lines and ultimately resulted in death,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones as we take this step toward justice.”
"This alleged conduct was callous and showed a deliberate disregard for human life," said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. "This multi-count indictment is the result of a thorough, data-driven, and forensically supported investigation conducted jointly by the FBI and the Spartanburg Police Department. The collaboration was instrumental in identifying, building a case against, and apprehending the defendants. We will continue to use every available investigative and judicial resource to pursue justice and ensure that those who commit such crimes are held fully accountable.”
“This case represents the strength and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies working together toward a common goal,” said Major Art Littlejohn of the Spartanburg Police Department. “Through the coordinated efforts of investigators, local, state, and federal partners, justice was pursued for the victim and his family. I want to commend every agency for their dedication and commitment throughout this complex investigation.”
Each of the defendants face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and are currently detained pending a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin F. McDonald.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Spartanburg Police Department, and the Spartanburg Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leesa Washington is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Greer Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Gerald Larson, II, 52, of Greer, has been sentenced to nearly 12 and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
On Oct. 7, 2024, Larson drove from his residence in Greer with kilograms of cocaine. North Carolina Highway Patrol stopped Larson, and a K-9 alerted to the scent of drugs in his vehicle. Law enforcement searched Larson’s car and found a suitcase containing 15 kilograms of cocaine. Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations obtained a search warrant for Larson’s residence and located over $419,000 and an additional 43 kilograms of cocaine. Larson already had numerous prior state convictions out of California for cocaine trafficking and firearms related charges.
United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Larson to 151 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville City Police Department, Greenville County Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.###
Federal Jury Convicts Former USC Employee for Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mohammad Ebrahim Torki Harchegani, 40, a legal permanent resident of the United States and Iranian citizen, has been convicted by a federal jury following a three-day trial. Harchegani was found guilty on one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Evidence introduced at trial showed that on Dec. 3-4, 2024, multiple agencies with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force participated in an online chat operation targeting child sex offenders where an officer posed as a 14-year-old girl. Harchegani met the undercover officer on an online dating application and began messaging with her. Shortly thereafter, he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the alleged 14-year-old girl over the course of multiple days. Harchegani used the name “Alex Shaw,” along with at least two other aliases, in an effort to disguise his identity. Harchegani ultimately traveled to the residence where he believed the girl was home alone to engage in sexual activities with her. He was arrested thereafter.
Harchegani was a researcher at the University of South Carolina at the time of the chat. Upon his arrest, his employment was suspended and his contract with the university was not renewed.“Those who target children in our state will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “I’d like to thank our law enforcement partners at the FBI, South Carolina Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and our prosecution team for bringing this defendant to justice.”
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our mission to protect children from those who exploit them,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. “This verdict marks a victory in the fight to safeguard children. We applaud the jury for delivering justice and commend the investigative team and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to ensure this outcome.”
Harchegani faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the trial and will sentence Harchegani after receiving and reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department participated in the online chat operation and investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Winston Holliday are prosecuting the case.###
Former Hanahan City Councilman Indicted on Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a 23-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, 48, of Hanahan, for sex trafficking of a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor, production, distribution, receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material and attempted production of child sexual abuse material.*
The indictment alleges from at least December 2021 through his arrest on federal charges in April 2026, Hedgpeth targeted, recruited, and sexually exploited children using the internet. Hedgpeth used social media apps to contact children—including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Telegram and X—where he posed as a minor himself. Through those apps, he pressured and often paid minors to record sex acts with other minors, including with some of their own family members. He then saved the files in password-protected folders accessible on his phone. He named the folders after the actual names of victims. Hedgpeth distributed those files to others over the internet—including to minors—without victim consent. Hedgpeth used the files to pose as a minor and to entice victims into producing additional content.
Hedgpeth exploited at least 19 children during the scheme, 13 girls and six boys, ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old. Most victims were in South Carolina, and some lived in his local community. During the scheme, Hedgpeth was a public official, serving as a City Councilman and as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Hanahan.
Hedgpeth faces up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, supervision by the United States Probation Office for a term of lifetime following any term of imprisonment, restitution payable to victims, and additional financial assessments. He will remain detained pending trial.“The grand jury has charged Kevin Hedgpeth with a depraved, predatory criminal scheme through which he targeted the most vulnerable among us,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We look forward to holding Hedgpeth accountable to the fullest extent, and we will continue to dedicate every resource to defend children in our state.”
“The charges in this indictment are deeply disturbing and represent a profound betrayal of trust, especially by someone who held positions of public responsibility. No one—regardless of their title or status—is above the law,” said Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina. “Our commitment is unwavering: we will pursue justice for every victim and ensure that those who exploit their authority to harm children are held fully accountable. The gravity of these crimes demands a strong response, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Investigators continue to seek the public’s help to identify possible victims. If you have relevant information to report, please contact HSI at [email protected], by telephone at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or through the online tip form at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and Elliott B. Daniels are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Simpsonville Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bobby Tyrell Davis, 41, of Simpsonville, originally from Detroit, Michigan, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana, distribution of fentanyl and marijuana, laundering drug proceeds, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Davis was released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections in September of 2017 after serving a sentence for trafficking heroin. Within that same year, Davis resumed his drug trafficking operation. In the Fall of 2024, Davis was obtaining fentanyl and heroin from Detroit and distributing it in the Upstate. He also used a co-defendant, Zachary Goosby, to conduct hand-to-hand sales for him. Davis laundered drug proceeds to make his crimes more difficult to detect. On Sept. 17, 2025, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at Davis’s residence and found multiple loaded firearms. Davis was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his prior felony conviction.
United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Davis to 120 months imprisonment, to be followed by a four-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Goosby pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a quantity of heroin and fentanyl and is awaiting sentencing.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Greenville Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen prosecuted the case.###
Former Tennessee Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Johnathan Nathaniel Allen, 27, of Chattanooga Tenn., has pleaded guilty to production of child sexual abuse material.*
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in September 2024 Allen used accounts on Reddit and Text Me to contact a 13-year-old girl in South Carolina.
Allen posed as a 14-year-old boy named “Josh” on the applications and pressured the minor to produce sexually explicit material at his request. At the time, Allen was 25 years old and had been a deputy with a county sheriff’s office in Tennessee since 2021.
On Reddit, Allen navigated to a forum that referenced teenagers in the title. He started a conversation with one of the minors and then directed the conversation to text messages. There, Allen used a virtual phone number he obtained through the TextMe platform. The minor showed Allen pictures of her stuffed animals and he “begged,” according to evidence, for pictures of the minor. He told the minor she could trust him and that he would not share the files. Allen caused the production of sexually explicit content depicting the minor. Allen told the victim that he was proud of her, and that she learned something new she could do. He requested additional sex acts, and he told her to delete the messages so no one else would see them.
When agents searched Allen’s home, they found a phone with Reddit, Text Me, and the fake “Josh” identity. Agents also found 19 communications on Allens’ phone with the minor, including numerous calls to the minor after law enforcement had seized the minor’s phone. Data from the Reddit and Text Me account, including pictures shared by the user, all resolved to Allen. Agents also found clothes in Allen’s bedroom that “Josh” was wearing when it shared sexually explicit images on the platform. One of the pictures shared by the Reddit user when posing as a teenager was a picture of Allen when he was younger.“This outrageous criminal conduct, especially from someone sworn to protect society’s most vulnerable, its children, will be met with the full force of the federal government,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’re grateful to the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamilton County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office for their work to bring this defendant to justice.”
Allen faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, he faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and a term of up to lifetime supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Allen after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the York County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Hamilton County, TN Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott B. Daniels is prosecuting the case.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Gaffney Woman Sentenced to More than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Angela Upchurch, 38, of Gaffney, has been sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Upchurch conspired with Mikayluh and Mikenzi Walker, Jonathan Sarratt, and others to distribute methamphetamine throughout the Upstate. Sarratt coordinated the distribution of drugs while serving a sentence at the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and the Walker twins funneled the drugs to sub-distributors, including Upchurch. Upchurch was held accountable for distributing 15 pounds of methamphetamine from 2023 through 2024. Upchurch has a prior conviction for accessory after the fact to trafficking from 2017.“This drug conspiracy funneled pounds upon pounds of dangerous methamphetamine into the Upstate,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Our office is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to remove these drug dealers from our streets and keep our community safe.”
“Methamphetamine trafficking devastates families and communities, fueling addiction and violence across our nation,” said Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina. “This sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of HSI and our law enforcement partners to disrupt criminal networks and protect the homeland. Through collaboration and determination, we are holding traffickers accountable and making our communities safer.”
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Angela Upchurch to 130 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Judge Coggins had previously sentenced Jonathan Sarratt to 300 months imprisonment, Mikayluh Walker to 276 months, and Mikenzi Walker to 180 months.
This investigation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Greenville comprises agents and officers from state, local, and federal agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department, Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.###
Anderson Man Sentenced to Almost 15 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Mayo Pickens, 47, of Anderson, has been sentenced to almost 15 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking.
On June 26, 2025, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at Pickens’s residence in Anderson. Law enforcement found approximately 76 kilograms of cocaine and multiple firearms inside the house, including multiple pistols and a rifle. Agents seized more than $75,000 in cash.Pickens was arrested in his vehicle with a loaded revolver. The investigation revealed that Pickens was also responsible for another 24 kilograms of cocaine that he intended to traffic.
Pickens previously received a 292-month sentence following federal convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering. Pickens was released from federal custody in 2021.United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Pickens to 176 months imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen is prosecuting the case.###
Lexington Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Olundi Uhuru Anderson, 52, of Lexington, has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Evidence presented in court showed that on the evening of Jan. 7, 2025, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop a vehicle near the intersection of Broad River Road and Bush River Road after the driver ran a red light. Anderson was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Although he initially pulled over, Anderson fled the scene, leading deputies on a brief pursuit that ended when the vehicle struck a curb.
After his arrest, a search of the vehicle revealed an open container of alcohol, crack cocaine, and a loaded pistol.
Anderson has prior convictions for robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, burglary, attempted aggravated battery, obstruction of justice, and failure to stop for blue lights. Due to these prior felony convictions, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
United States District Judge Joseph Anderson sentenced Anderson to 41 months in prison, to be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Anderson Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Making, Distributing Child Sex Abuse VideoRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — David Lynn Wells, 32, of Anderson, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for making and distributing child sexual abuse material.*
According to court documents and statements made in court, this case originated from an investigation in the United Kingdom. British authorities arrested a man suspected of possessing child sexual abuse material and reviewed his electronic devices. They located a recording of a 2020 video call in which an adult male was sexually abusing a baby boy. The name “David Wells” was visible on the screen. Investigators identified Wells after locating a prior mugshot for Wells in Anderson County, South Carolina. British authorities contacted Homeland Security Investigations.
HSI investigators were able to locate the victim’s mother and established that she knew Wells, that they lived in the same apartment complex at one time, and that Wells did watch her minor child from time to time when she ran errands. Agents showed the mother sanitized images of the video, and she identified Wells, the child, and Wells’ apartment.“The depraved conduct in this case is truly unfathomable,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “My office will remain dedicated to prosecuting and punishing those who harm children and create vile material to be distributed across the internet.”
“This action sends a powerful message: those who exploit children will face the full force of the law,” said Mark M. Zito Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina. “Homeland Security Investigations is unwavering in our commitment to protect children from predators. We will relentlessly pursue offenders wherever they operate and ensure they are brought to justice. Our partnerships with local, national, and international agencies are vital in this fight, and together we will hold those responsible for these horrific crimes fully accountable.”
United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Wells to 360 months imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Wells is currently serving an eight-year sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for sexual battery involving two other children.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Watkins prosecuted the case.
###* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
5 Indicted including SCDC Inmate for $1.1M Wire Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a 13-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging five individuals with wire fraud, aiding and abetting, and destruction of records related to PPP loans.
- Joshua Maiden, 42, an inmate currently incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections
- Julie Connelly, 36, of Milford, Delaware
- Crystal Adams, 48, of Harrington, Delaware
- Jillian Brooks, 38, of Dover, Delaware
- Tessa Hess, 43, of Murrells Inlet, S.C.
The indictment alleges that from January to December 2021, the defendants engaged in a scheme to apply for PPP loans pursuant to the CARES Act, a program through which taxpayers provided relief to businesses suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. In applying for the loans, Maiden, Connelly, Adams, and Brooks each falsely represented that they owned businesses that were eligible for PPP loans and subsequent loan forgiveness. However, the investigation revealed the defendants did not own the businesses they claimed in their PPP applications, and the documentation submitted in support of the loans was fraudulent. Maiden falsely claimed that he owned a landscaping business through which he earned more than $84,000 in revenue the previous year, and he collected a portion of his co-defendant’s fraudulent loans, all while being a state prisoner. The indictment further alleges that Hess possessed identification-making equipment used in the scheme and attempted to destroy the equipment when the FBI requested that she surrender it to authorities.
In total, the defendants are alleged to have applied for fraudulent PPP loans totaling $1,182,832.
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, a three-year term of supervised release and a $100 special assessment per count of conviction. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before the Honorable Thomas E. Rogers, III on May 5.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Little River Woman Pleads Guilty to Concealing the Laundering of Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. - Kayla Tisdale, 37, of Little River, has pleaded guilty to misprision of felony based on her concealment of a scheme to launder assets purchased with funds that she knew were derived from drug trafficking.
Evidence presented during her change of plea hearing demonstrated that Tisdale was formerly in a relationship with a large-scale drug trafficker who distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine, among other drugs. She admitted to assisting her paramour in laundering at least $750,000 in assets that were illegally obtained using the proceeds from the drug trafficking business. She did so by depositing funds across different banks, trading cryptocurrency, and even purchasing gold bullion, all in an attempt to obscure the source of the funds. Much of this evidence was uncovered after Tisdale’s accomplice was arrested on drug trafficking charges. Agents obtained recorded jail calls during which the drug trafficker instructed Tisdale to hide certain assets to conceal them from authorities. Rather than notify authorities of the ongoing illegal conduct, she took steps to conceal the crimes.
Tisdale faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, potential restitution orders, and a year of court supervision to follow her term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Tisdale after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report that will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.
###
Conway Man Indicted for Burning a Cross to Intimidate Black NeighborsRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Florence returned a two-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Worden Evander Butler, 31, formerly of Conway, for interfering with the housing rights of his Black neighbors and using fire to commit a federal felony.
The indictment alleges that on Nov. 24, 2023, Butler made a series of Facebook posts about his next-door neighbors, including that he would give “his racist neighbors . . . a good scare for the health. With a cross in the lawn.” Butler uploaded photos of the victims’ home, vehicles, and mailbox to his social media.
Butler then set up a cross in his backyard and set it on fire.
“Every family in America has a right to feel safe in their own homes,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Defendant Butler’s actions threatened this fundamental right. This office will continue to protect South Carolinians' fundamental rights.”
“Racial animosity has no place in our community,” said FBI Columbia Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jose Charriez. “This indictment reflects the serious nature of the alleged crimes and our dedication to ensuring the victims see a just resolution.”Butler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Butler was arrested in California and will make an initial appearance on April 22 in the Eastern District of California. Butler will be arraigned in the District of South Carolina on May 5 at 2:30 p.m. at the McMillan Federal Building in Florence, S.C.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
S.C. Inmate Sentenced to 262 Months in Federal Prison for Coordinating Drug Sales from Inside the S.C. Department of CorrectionsRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. - Samual Earl Ramu, age 34, of Johnsonville, S.C., has been ordered to serve nearly 22 years in federal prison after being convicted of conspiring to distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine from inside the walls of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Evidence presented in court demonstrated that Ramu was the leader of a drug trafficking organization while in SCDC. Ramu used others outside prison to conduct transactions on his behalf using a contraband cell phone. Ramu attempted to have others use drones to drop contraband inside the prison. In total, Ramu was held accountable for conspiring to distribute 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with quantities of fentanyl and marijuana.
“We are very grateful for our local, state, and federal law enforcements partners to include the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as we continue to quickly respond, disrupt, and dismantle the efforts of those who attempt to poison our communities with fentanyl or methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The use of contraband cell phones and drones to advance criminal activity will continue to be met with the full force of federal investigation and prosecution in South Carolina.”
“Drug traffickers who threaten our communities with deadly substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine cannot hide from Homeland Security Investigations—even behind prison walls. Our work protects the public by ensuring that those who endanger our neighborhoods are held accountable, no matter where they operate. This case is a testament to the power of our partnership with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and our unwavering commitment to keeping our communities safe,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Ramu has prior convictions for several drug trafficking offenses and was serving a 15-year state sentence for possession with intent to distribute heroin and trafficking methamphetamine during the commission of this offense. Ramu was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison to be followed by a term of supervised release of 5 years. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, and the S.C. Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.
Rock Hill Cartel-Connected Kingpin Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Hundreds of Kilograms of Fentanyl, CocaineRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Timothy Markee Gayton, 34, of Rock Hill, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his role in two drug trafficking schemes.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed in January 2018, Gayton operated industrial-scale clandestine drug labs in the Rock Hill area, where fentanyl was pressed into pills designed to look like prescription drugs. Gayton then supplied these fentanyl-laced pills to drug dealers in South Carolina.
In February 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gayton’s residence and seized fentanyl, amphetamine, marijuana, four firearms, nine firearm magazines, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and $23,000 in cash. He was arrested and released on bond, but seven days later, he sold a kilogram of fentanyl to a law enforcement source.
Between 2018 and 2022, Gayton imported pill presses, pill binder, and fentanyl powder from China and Mexico, set up clandestine laboratories in the York County area, and manufactured hundreds of thousands of illegal fentanyl pills. During the search of one of Gayton’s one drug labs, agents found $53,000 in cash, handguns, 7 pill presses, 150,000 pills made to look like Roxicodone, 30 kilograms of fentanyl, pill stamps, pill binder, Narcan, a money counter, and a vacuum sealer. Gayton’s identical twin brother, Timario Gayton, was convicted for his role in this drug lab and sentenced to 180 months.
During a search of Gayton’s house the same day, agents found $4,000 in cash, 4 rifles, extended magazines, a kilogram press, packaging material with fentanyl inside, and fentanyl. Gayton also distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine during the course of the conspiracy.
In January 2023, a federal grand jury indicted Gayton for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. While awaiting trial and in federal custody, Gayton arranged for the distribution of over a kilogram of fentanyl from jail on several occasions. He was again federally indicted for conspiracy and two counts of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He also bribed a jail guard, who was charged and convicted for the conduct. Gayton was responsible for getting illegal drugs and contraband cell phones inside the jail, all while in federal custody.
“The expanse of Gayton’s drug trafficking network was immense, from Rock Hill, across the nation, and over international borders to reach his cartel supply networks. Gayton is now closed for business and will assume a new residence within the highly secure confines of the United States Bureau of Prisons for the next 25 years, with no parole,” said U.S Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “This investigation and prosecution is yet another example of how responsive and effective our local, state, and federal law enforcement partnerships remain in South Carolina. Specifically, I would like to thank the Rock Hill Police Department, the York County Sheriff’s Office, the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Columbia Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, as well the DEA, FBI, ATF, and the U.S. Marshals Office.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Gayton to 300 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service, the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit (YCMDEU), the Rock Hill Police Department, the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Columbia Police Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Elizabeth Major prosecuted the case.
Richland County Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing GunRead the Press Release
Columbia, S.C. — Carlos Antwon Lewis, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 4, 2025, a Richland County Sheriff’s deputy observed an SUV committing a traffic offense. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the SUV and made contact with the driver. Lewis was the front passenger. The deputy smelled the odor of marijuana, which the occupants admitted to smoking before leaving their residence. The deputy asked both occupants to step out and asked Lewis if he had any firearms or narcotics on his person. Lewis stated that he had a firearm in his waistband. The deputy recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from Lewis’s waistband. Upon further inspection of the firearm, the firearm was equipped with a silver Glock switch.
Lewis is prohibited from possessing a firearm based upon prior convictions for arson/attempts to burn, willful & malicious, burglary, criminal domestic violence 1st offense, criminal domestic violence 2nd offense, unlawful carrying a firearm, possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school, distribution of methamphetamine or cocaine base, and arson.
Lewis faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and 3 years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Lewis after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
North Charleston Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Bribing Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks, 38, of North Charleston, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in two schemes to bribe North Charleston City Councilmen.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in early 2024, Sea Fox Boat Company hired Hicks as a consultant. Sea Fox had proposed a new boat manufacturing facility in North Charleston, but its plans required a zoning change to the subject property. Amid strong community opposition to the project, Sea Fox hired Hicks to garner community support and help ensure that North Charleston City Council would vote in favor of the zoning change. Sea Fox hired Hicks based on the recommendation of two members of North Charleston City Council—Jerome Heyward and Mike A. Brown. Hicks accepted $30,000 in consulting fees from Sea Fox between February and June 2024.
Hicks agreed to pay Heyward and Brown a portion of his consulting fees in exchange for their influence and official action with respect to Sea Fox’s proposal. Hicks paid Heyward $5,000, including $2,500 in cash on the date of City Council’s vote on the rezoning application. Hicks paid Brown at least $1,000 in cash.
Further evidence revealed that Hicks was involved in a second scheme to bribe Sandino Moses, who was a member of North Charleston City Council at the time. Hicks was present during a meeting on April 26, 2024, during which Tory Fields agreed to bribe Moses to gain his support of Sea Fox’s rezoning efforts. Thereafter, Fields paid Moses two bribes to convince him to support the Sea Fox plant, and Hicks knew that Fields had done so.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Hicks to 15 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 2-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Hicks was also ordered to forfeit $30,000, representing the consulting fees and ill-gotten gains of his crimes.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse and Whit Sowards are prosecuting the case.
Former North Charleston Councilmember Sentenced to Two Years Probation in North Charleston Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Sandino Savalas Moses, 51, a former North Charleston City Councilmember, has been sentenced to two years of probation for misprision of a felony.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Moses was a city councilmember when Sea Fox Boat Company’s application for a zoning change was presented to North Charleston City Council. Sea Fox had hired two consultants, Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks and Hason Tatorian Fields, to help generate support for the project. After Moses moved to table the matter when it was presented for a first reading, Hicks and Fields met with members of the Sea Fox team to discuss a path forward. Fields expressed that Moses was susceptible to a bribe because of personal difficulties. After the meeting, but before the matter was re-presented to North Charleston City Council, Fields paid two bribes to Moses. When Moses realized that Fields was trying to bribe him in exchange for his support of the Sea Fox project, Moses repaid the bribes but never reported Fields to law enforcement.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Moses to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.
Former Hanahan City Councilman Waives Detention Hearing in Possession, Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material Case, Remains in Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, 48, former City of Hanahan Mayor Pro Tem and member of City Council, appeared this morning for a scheduled detention hearing in United States Magistrate Court in Charleston. Hedgpeth, represented by counsel, waived his right to the hearing and will remain in federal custody pending trial. Arrested on federal warrants last Thursday, Hedgpeth has been charged with possession and production of child sexual abuse material.*
According to the charging document, which was authorized by United States Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker, an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified Hedgpeth as a member of a forum on social media that was facilitating the sale of child sexual abuse material.
Further investigation revealed that Hedgpeth has paid numerous minors who have been identified as likely victims of child sex abuse in CyberTips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. From December 2021 to present, Hedgpeth’s Cash App and PayPal accounts paid 47 accounts that were either associated with minors or suspected of selling content. The accounts Hedgpeth paid include minors in the Charleston, South Carolina area.
Further investigation revealed that videos and images depicting child sexual abuse were stored in an iCloud account registered to Hedgpeth’s personal e-mail address, his cellular phone, and his home address, and that the account had been accessed frequently from his home internet router. Hedgpeth used his iCloud account and social media to communicate with children, to direct them to produce sexually explicit photographs and videos, and to send these videos to him in exchange for money. One victim was 12 years old when the communication began. Hedgpeth paid that minor for child sex abuse videos, and he pressured that minor to produce content with the minor’s 15-year-old brother. At times, Hedgpeth pretended to be a minor, and at others, he distributed child sexual abuse videos to minors to entice them to produce and sell similar content to him.
Hedgpeth faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, a maximum of 30 years, lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation Office, plus sex offender registration requirements.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help to identify possible victims. If you have relevant information to report, please contact HSI at [email protected], by telephone at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or through the online tip form at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and Elliott B. Daniels are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
NOTE:The unsealed criminal complaint is attached. Please use discretion in reading and sharing with your audiences.
Orangeburg Man Pleads Guilty to Burning a Puppy AliveRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. Desmond Levon Brown, 29, of Orangeburg, has pleaded guilty to animal crushing, which includes burning, under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act). This is the first known PACT Act Conviction in South Carolina.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Dec. 18, 2024, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a Facebook Live video showing Brown throwing a puppy into a fire that day. Deputies discovered the deceased puppy in a wooded area near the incident location. Federal law enforcement obtained the Facebook video, which showed Brown holding the puppy above the fire, dropping it into the fire, and repeatedly kicking the puppy into the fire, burning it alive. Further evidence showed that the fire, which was started by Brown’s associate, was made using a brand of rum that was imported from the Caribbean and bottled in Kentucky. After his arrest, Brown was recorded on jail calls admitting to burning the puppy.
“Brown’s gruesome torture of a puppy was heinous,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “He showed no mercy in his crime, and we look forward to his sentencing. Our office will lead the fight to protect the welfare of animals in South Carolina.”
Brown faces a maximum penalty of seven years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Brown after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
If you know of suspected animal fighting or other animal welfare violations, please report them at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/webform/animal-welfare/report-suspected-animal-welfare-violation
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.
###
Lexington County Felons Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Derrick Jameel Joye, 24, and Jalen Shaprie Rutherford, 24, both of Lexington, have been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Evidence obtained during the investigation revealed that on June 4, 2024, officers with the West Columbia Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle. During the stop, a front-seat passenger, identified as Joye, exited the vehicle and ran through a nearby apartment complex while carrying an AR-15–style pistol. Despite multiple commands from pursuing officers to stop, Joye failed to comply, continued running, and discarded the firearm before he was apprehended. Officers detained Joye and recovered a loaded semiautomatic pistol with a round in the chamber.
Officers also detained the driver, identified as Rutherford, who admitted to possessing a firearm located in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a loaded semiautomatic 9mm pistol from the glove compartment, along with an extended magazine and additional ammunition.
Rutherford had prior felony convictions for involuntary manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree domestic violence, and receiving stolen goods. Joye had a prior felony conviction for second-degree assault and battery. At the time of the offense, Rutherford was out on bond, faces state charges for murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. As convicted felons, both Rutherford and Joye were prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger-Lewis sentenced Joye to 33 months imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. Rutherford was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is a violent crime reduction strategy based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the West Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Lancaster Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking, Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Travis Rashad Laney, 38, of Lancaster, has been sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Evidence presented in court revealed that agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Laney as an individual involved in trafficking significant quantities of narcotics in the Lancaster area. On three separate occasions between April and May 2024, Laney sold a combined total of more than 700 grams of methamphetamine to law enforcement.
On May 9, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Laney’s residence in Lancaster. During the search, officers recovered approximately 1,000 grams of methamphetamine, 376 grams of cocaine, 560 grams of fentanyl, 282 grams of a fentanyl analogue, 953 grams of marijuana, 946 grams of codeine, and additional quantities of amphetamine, ketamine, MDMA, and alprazolam.
Additionally, law enforcement recovered 11 loaded firearms, including one equipped with a Glock switch, along with a large sum of cash and materials used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Laney to 210 months in prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.
###Aiken Felon Indicted for Illegally Possessing a Gun Following Five Points Traffic StopRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a single-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Devron Jakell Duncan, 33, of Aiken, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to statements made in court, on Feb. 15, 2023, an officer with the University of South Carolina Police Department was patrolling the Five Points area of Columbia. Around 2 a.m., the officer stopped a vehicle driven by Duncan. Duncan refused commands to stay in the vehicle, pushed the officer, and ran. After apprehending Duncan, USCPD officers searched the area and found a loaded 9 mm pistol that Duncan had tossed. Further investigation revealed that Duncan’s girlfriend was the purchaser of the gun and had previously told law enforcement that Duncan stole the gun from her residence.
Duncan has prior convictions for domestic violence, illegally possessing a firearm, and kidnapping, among other offenses. These offenses prohibit Duncan from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Duncan faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. Duncan is currently detained pending trial.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN is a violent crime reduction strategy based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the University of South Carolina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Timmons is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
6 Charged in Sumter and Lee County Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a multi-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging six individuals for their roles in trafficking cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
The following defendants were arraigned in federal court today:- Lorenzo Blackwell, 35, of Bishopville
- Marquis Quintell Durant, 38, of Sumter
- Marcus Martenez McConico, 37, of Sumter
- Kalvin Clay Singletary, 36, of Sumter
- Perry Sherrod Taft, 65, of Sumter
- Nikennia Fatese Carter, 34, of Bishopville
The indictment stems from a Homeland Security Task Force investigation targeting individuals involved in drug trafficking in the Sumter and Lee County areas. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, and multiple firearms. This operation was also part of the FBI's Operation Spring Cleaning, a surge of law enforcement resources targeting violent gangs and drug activity.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Sumter Police Department, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, with assistance from the FBI Charlotte Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Hanahan City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Arrested for Possession, Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — According to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant unsealed today, Kevin Phillip Hedgpeth, 48, City of Hanahan Mayor Pro Tem and member of City Council, has been charged with possession and production of child sexual abuse material.*
According to the charging document, which was authorized by United States Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker, an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified Hedgpeth as a member of a forum on social media that was facilitating the sale of child sexual abuse material.
Further investigation revealed that Hedgpeth has paid numerous minors who have been identified as likely victims of child sex abuse in CyberTips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. From December 2021 to present, Hedgpeth’s Cash App and PayPal accounts paid 47 accounts that were either associated with minors or suspected of selling content. The accounts Hedgpeth paid include minors in the Charleston, South Carolina area.
Further investigation revealed that videos and images depicting child sexual abuse were stored in an iCloud account registered to Hedgpeth’s personal e-mail address, his cellular phone, and his home address, and that the account had been accessed frequently from his home internet router. Hedgpeth used his iCloud account and social media to communicate with children, to direct them to produce sexually explicit photographs and videos, and to send these videos to him in exchange for money. One victim was 12 years old when the communication began. Hedgpeth paid that minor for child sex abuse videos, and he pressured that minor to produce content with the minor’s 15-year-old brother. At times, Hedgpeth pretended to be a minor, and at others, he distributed child sexual abuse videos to minors to entice them to produce and sell similar content to him.
Hedgpeth faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, a maximum of 30 years, lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation Office, plus sex offender registration requirements.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Investigators are seeking the public’s help to identify possible victims. If you have relevant information to report, please contact HSI at [email protected], by telephone at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423), or through the online tip form at https://www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and Elliott B. Daniels are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Chinese National Servicemember Indicted for Conspiring and Attempting to Obstruct an InvestigationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a two-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Yuan Li, 35, a Chinese national residing in the United States, for conspiracy to obstruct justice.
The indictment alleges that Li joined the United States Navy in January 2022 after previously being discharged from the Army. During his time in the Navy, Li completed an Application for Naturalization to apply for U.S. citizenship. Li did not answer whether he had been discharged other than honorable from the military and listed a fraudulent address in San Fransico as his current residence.
During an investigation into housing allowance fraud and assault, investigators discovered Li communicated with a foreign national on the Chinese social media app Red Note. The foreign national sought to purchase information from Li in his capacity as a service member. When Li learned he was under investigation, he instructed an accomplice to delete various messaging apps from his phone and restore his electronic devices to their factory settings, which would have resulted in the destruction of all records and content of Li’s contact with the foreign national.
Li faces a maximum penalty of five years for the conspiracy charge and 20 years for the obstruction charge. He is currently detained pending trial. He was arrested in Florida on March 6 and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker for arraignment on the indictment on April 13.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Kittrell is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Greenville Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Marijuana, Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Larry Eugene Gunnin, III, 26, of Greenville, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for dealing marijuana and possessing firearms.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that beginning in or around 2020, and continuing up to January 2025, Gunnin and others conspired to unlawfully possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana. Additionally, Gunnin knowingly possessed firearms while trafficking the drugs.
United States District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin sentenced Gunnin to 180 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a six-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 and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Cauthen, III prosecuted the case.Former DOE Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Dead Relative’s PensionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Effie Mae Youmans, 71, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to theft of public money by collecting pension benefits that she was not entitled to collect.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed the Savannah River Nuclear Site learned one of its retirees had died, but the individual’s pension benefits were still being received. According to SRNS’s investigator, no one informed SRNS of the retiree’s death at the time, so SRNS continued to make pension payments to the individual’s account. SRNS made 18 months of payments after the death, at a rate of $3,025 per month, totaling $54,450. Investigators determined Youmans, a relative of the retiree, withdrew the overpayment funds from the bank account. As an SRNS pension recipient herself, Youmans knew she was not entitled to the relative’s pension funds.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. The Fraud Division will fulfill that mission by coordinating with agencies responsible for administering benefit programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification of fraud against taxpayer dollars; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice.Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Youmans after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. As part of Youmans’ plea agreement, she will repay the stolen money.
This case was investigated by Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield is prosecuting the case.###
Lexington County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Stolen GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Trevor Jerremy Jones, 36, of Lexington County has pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute and possessing a stolen firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Nov. 6, 2021, a University of South Carolina Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jones after determining that the car tag had expired. When the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a clear plastic bag containing suspected marijuana in the driver’s side door and a large clear plastic bag containing a large amount of suspected marijuana in the center console.
A further search of the car revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol in the glove box. The gun had been reported stolen. Jones claimed he bought the firearm from a friend and admitted that he knew or had reason to know that it was stolen. Jones also had a large amount of money, grouped into small denominations, consistent with the sale of narcotics. Lab tests confirmed Jones possessed marijuana, in a quantity that he intended to distribute.
Jones faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Jones after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the University of South Carolina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Goose Creek Man Sentenced in N. Charleston Public Corruption SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hason Tatorian “Tory” Fields, 52, of Goose Creek, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds and honest services wire fraud, bribery with respect to programs receiving federal funds, and honest services wire fraud.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Fields conspired with others to pay bribes to Sandino Moses. At the time, Moses was serving as a member of the City of North Charleston’s City Council representing District 7. Fields paid Moses two bribes as part of an effort to secure his support for the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. The application for rezoning was pending before City Council when Fields first approached Moses.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Fields to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Fields is the first defendant to be sentenced of the eight charged in a North Charleston public corruption scheme. Six others are awaiting sentencing. Rose Lorenzo is scheduled for jury selection in July.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.###
Five Charged in $3.5M Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina has unsealed an indictment charging five individuals for their roles in a fraud and money laundering scheme that resulted in a cumulative loss of at least $3.5 million.
The following have been charged for their roles in the scheme:Xavier Gordon, 25, of Charleston;
Warner Gordon, 27, of Charleston;
Kevin Milton Simpson, 30, of Charleston;
Tashagae Narcia Leslie, 25, of Orlando, Florida; and
Kemar Christopher Edwards, 28, of Charleston.
The indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a scheme to deceive individuals by convincing them that they were the winners of cash prizes from sweepstakes. The defendants would then claim that before the victims could receive their winnings, they had to pay taxes and fees. Believing they had won, the victims transferred money to the defendants either through the mail or by wire transfer. After receiving the money, the defendants are alleged to have laundered the funds and then transferred a portion of the proceeds to individuals located in Jamaica. The indictment alleges that the victims lost more than $3.5 million through the scheme, and that a substantial portion of the more than 100 victims were elderly.
Xavier Gordon is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; multiple counts of mail fraud; wire fraud; and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Xavier Gordon faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.
Warner Gordon is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; mail fraud; multiple counts of wire fraud; and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Warner Gordon faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.
Kevin Milton Simpson is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Simpson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.
Tashagae Narcia Leslie is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Leslie faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.
Kemar Christopher Edwards is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Edwards faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $500,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Sowards is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Camden Woman Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Angela Peterson Black, 53, of Camden, has been sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Black distributed methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers in November 2022 with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On two occasions, she sold almost 200 grams of “ice” to officers. In June 2023, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department located additional narcotics in her vehicle during a traffic stop and in her home during a search warrant at her residence. Black was arrested on these charges in December 2023 and was granted a bond. While on bond, Black attempted to use a fraudulent urine sample by concealing a bottle containing a yellow substance on her person. Her bond was revoked.
Black has prior convictions for pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, first degree criminal domestic violence, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Black to 160 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term 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, Homeland Security Investigations, West Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case.###
Rock Hill Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Dai Quan Matthew Felix, 27, of Rock Hill, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Felix traveled with a 14-year-old girl from August 2024 through November 2024 through North Carolina and South Carolina. During that time, Felix engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor victim. Law enforcement recovered Felix’s phone, which contained sexually explicit videos of himself and the minor victim.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Felix to 120 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Felix will be required to register as a sex offender for life.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lothrop Morris and Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case.###
Richland County Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing a Gun During a Traffic StopRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Davante Jamar Moore, 34, of Richland County, has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm found in his car during a traffic stop.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 29, 2024, officers with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) conducted a lawful traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Moore. Moore was the driver and sole occupant. During the stop, a CPD K9 alerted to the scent of narcotics.
When officers searched the vehicle, they located a yellow backpack with a plastic bag containing marijuana, various bags, a scale, container with white powder inside, and a loaded firearm.
Moore is prohibited from possessing firearms based upon previous convictions for strong arm robbery and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
Moore faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Moore after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
###Orangeburg Man Indicted for Robbing, Pointing a Firearm at an FBI Confidential SourceRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Florence returned a three-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Demondre Laquari Wright, 26, of Orangeburg, for robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of ammunition.
According to the allegations supporting the federal arrest, in early March, the FBI set up an undercover gun buy operation in St. George, whereby Wright would sell three firearms, including one equipped with a machine gun conversion device, to an FBI confidential human source. The FBI gave the source $4,000 to purchase the firearms.During the transaction inside the source’s vehicle, Wright allowed the source to examine the only gun that Wright brought with him. While examining the gun, the source discovered that the gun was loaded and proceeded to empty the magazine. Wright then took the gun, reloaded it, and pointed it at the source’s chest and head. Wright demanded that the source give him all the money. The source complied with Wright’s commands and gave him $4,000 in FBI buy money.
Wright then exited the source’s vehicle and returned to his car. FBI agents then approached the vehicle with their lights and sirens activated. Wright quickly ran from the vehicle but after a brief chase, was apprehended and arrested.
The indictment alleges that, on March 3, 2026, Wright robbed the source of money and put the source’s life in jeopardy by using a firearm. The indictment further alleges that Wright brandished a firearm in furtherance of the crime of violence and unlawfully possessed ammunition.
Wright was prohibited from possessing ammunition under federal law due to his prior felony convictions of assault and battery first degree and discharging firearms into a dwelling.
Wright faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Wright is currently detained.
The case was investigated by FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Hamlett and Cole Shannon are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Florence Woman Pleads Guilty to Filming Sexual Assault of MinorsRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. — Alaina Ny’sha Thomas, 24, of Florence, has pleaded guilty to producing child sexual abuse material.*
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that in June 2024, FBI agents located child sexual abuse material on a private forum on the dark web, including two videos of an adult woman engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor. Investigators identified the woman as Thomas and learned that she recorded the videos around January 2020. She subsequently sent the videos to an unknown individual online.
Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and supervision of up to life to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Thomas after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case.###
Lexington County Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — De’Marionne Zaquann Miller, 22, of Lexington, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on June 14, 2025, deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to an apartment after a family reported that they were concerned that Miller was holding a victim captive in the apartment. The victim sent her family alarming text messages the day before this incident. The victim’s family drove from Florida to check on the victim and were waiting outside of the apartment during this ordeal.
As deputies were en route to the location, they learned that Miller had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. As law enforcement arrived on scene, Miller ran out of the apartment with an AK style rifle and a backpack. When deputies caught Miller, he did not have the rifle, but after arresting Miller, the deputies retraced his path and found the AK style firearm.
In the seized backpack, deputies located cash, numerous individual bags of marijuana, and two cellphones. A subsequent search of the apartment found a large vacuum sealed bag of marijuana, a scale used in weighing the marijuana, and ammunition for the firearm. Miller is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon prior convictions for escape and unlawful carrying of a pistol.
Miller faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Miller after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by FBI Columbia Field Office and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
###Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights CrimeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to violating the housing rights of his black neighbor, J.M.
According to court documents, on July 17, 2025, Felkel was driving into the gated community where both he and J.M. lived when he saw J.M. standing at the gate of the community. Felkel fired a gun into the air and shouted at J.M., an African American man, “You better run, boy!” The defendant later admitted to law enforcement that, in firing his gun and shouting at J.M., he intended to scare J.M., he had hoped to convey to J.M. “leave [the neighborhood], get from around here,” and that J.M. “[didn’t] need to be around this area.” Felkel expressed his belief, in part, that because J.M. was black, he must be connected to “dangerous criminals.”
Felkel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release to follow any term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Felkel on a future date.
The FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar Fyall of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.###
Columbia Felon Sentenced to 24 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Glock Switch, Guns, and DrugsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Laclarence Lamarcus Anderson, 43, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison following a jury trial where Anderson was convicted of 12 counts of drug and gun offenses.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Anderson sold 10 firearms and quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine to confidential informants on four occasions in May and June 2024. One of the firearms that Anderson sold contained a Glock switch, converting the weapon into a machinegun. Two of the firearms he sold had been linked to an attempted homicide and homicide in surrounding counties in the weeks prior.
Anderson was found guilty of unlawfully possessing all of these firearms due to his status as a convicted felon. Anderson has prior convictions for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, armed robbery, assault and battery – 1st degree, and other drug and gun offenses.
United States District Judge Cameron Currie sentenced Anderson to 297 months imprisonment, to be followed by a 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 and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.###
Charleston Felon Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Gun, Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Deon Lathel Gibson, 40, of Charleston, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence presented in court revealed that in December 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), while conducting surveillance, observed Gibson meet with a known drug trafficking target. Deputies with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) conducted a traffic stop on Gibson as he drove away. During the vehicle stop, Gibson attempted to fight multiple deputies on the side of the road. After Gibson was quickly secured and placed under arrest, CCSO deputies located 446.9 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded .380 pistol in the vehicle. Gibson also had $2,300 in cash.
Gibson and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute crack. His prior drug convictions also made him eligible for an enhanced sentence.
At the time of his arrest, Gibson was on state bond after being accused of killing two people in a vehicular hit-and-run.
United States Richard M. Gergel sentenced Gibson to 20 years imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of court ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Charleston Police Department, and Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow prosecuted the case.###
W International Companies Agree to Pay $10.5M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Overcharging the Air Force and the Navy for Weld TablesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today announced that W International LLC, W International SC LLC, Precision Metal Equipment Handling LLC, and Edward Walker (collectively, “Defendants”) have agreed to pay $10.5 million to resolve allegations under the False Claims Act that they knowingly overcharged the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy for weld tables.
W International LLC, a Michigan company, and W International SC LLC, a South Carolina company, were both engaged in the business of industrial welding and metal fabrication. Edward Walker was the Chief Executive Officer of both companies. Precision Metal Equipment Handling LLC is a Michigan company that manufactured weld tables for W International SC LLC.
“Contractors and subcontractors are expected to charge no more than authorized under their contracts with the military,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to ensure the government gets the prices it bargained for on defense contracts.”
“Exploiting the procurement process for our military’s necessary materials unduly increases the burden on taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We’ll continue to work with our partners to support our service members and protect our taxpayers.”
“To meet global demands, the Navy must accelerate shipbuilding. However, contractors who overcharge betray the public's trust and undermine this critical mission,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our partners are committed to protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring every dollar is spent in accordance with the contract.”
“As the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is steadfastly committed to protecting the integrity of DoD’s procurement process and holding contractors accountable,” said Christopher Dillard, Special Agent in Charge, DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “Fraud on DoD contracts diverts critical taxpayer resources away from our warfighters. DCIS will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain.”
The allegations resolved by the settlement concern federal funds provided to W International SC to refurbish and equip a large-scale welding facility. As part of that effort, the United States alleges, the Defendants submitted or caused to be submitted claims for payment that overcharged for weld tables supplied for the facility. Funding for the project was provided through the Defense Production Act pursuant to a U.S. Air Force Technology Investment Agreement, and as Supplier Development Funds pursuant to a Navy prime contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat.
The allegations resolved by this settlement arose from a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act under which private citizens can sue on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, John Klausmeier, a former employee of W International SC LLC, to receive $1,863,750 as his share of the settlement.
This case was handled by the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.
The matter was handled by Senior Trial Attorney Greg Pearson of the Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Leventis for the District of South Carolina.
The lawsuit is captioned United States ex rel. Klausmeier v. W International, LLC, Civil Action number 22-cv-1774 in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.