District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
2018 Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SC –---The United States Attorney’s Office’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC), the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association (SCLEOA), and the Strom Thurmond Foundation will host a luncheon on Friday, October 26, 2018, for the presentation of the 2018 Strom Thurmond Awards for Excellence in Law Enforcement. These awards, established in 1983 by Senator Strom Thurmond, are presented annually to a city, county, state, and federal law enforcement officer who has demonstrated the highest ideals of excellence in professional law enforcement. The awards ceremony will be attended by approximately 150 law enforcement officers from throughout the state.
The 2018 awards luncheon will be held at the Fort Jackson Officers’ Club at Fort Jackson. Lunch will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the awards program will begin at approximately 12:45 p.m. The names of award recipients will be announced during the luncheon.
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Federal Jury Convicts Simpsonville Man of Possessing over 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute - Faces Life Sentence in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Larry Anthony Ladson, Jr., 29 years old, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was convicted of possessing 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute after a two-day jury trial in Spartanburg. The 12-person jury unanimously found Ladson guilty following the conclusion of the trial. Given his prior criminal history, Ladson likely faces life imprisonment.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Ladson was hiding in a bathtub when officers with the Fountain Inn Police Department were performing a protective sweep of the residence located in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Law enforcement originally arrived on scene after receiving a report of a domestic incident involving a firearm. After initially detaining three other individuals who were connected with the location, officers were clearing the residence when they discovered Ladson fully clothed in the bathtub with the lights off at approximately 2:45 p.m. In the adjacent bedroom, law enforcement found Ladson’s driver’s license along with other identifying documents, in addition to a digital scale and clear plastic baggies used for drug packaging in plain view. Upon obtaining a search warrant, a further search of the bedroom revealed over 1,000 grams of methamphetamine packaged in 19 separate bags, which were concealed in a backpack and hidden under layers of Ladson’s clothes in his closet. The majority of the bags contained approximately 56 grams of the clear, crystal substance and were packaged for distribution in two-ounce quantities.
At the time of the incident, Ladson already had a warrant out for his arrest from a federal firearms violation occurring in October 2017. Ladson was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on the methamphetamine charge and has been in continuous custody since his March arrest. Prior to the incident, Ladson had numerous state convictions, to include: possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (2014); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (2014); two convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2014); burglary in the second degree, violent; criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (2013); and assault and battery in the first degree (2013).
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Fountain Inn Police Department and prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project CeaseFire initiative. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Reinstituting PSN nationwide in October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority, and this case is another example of the positive effect his renewed focus is having on our communities in South Carolina. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Holloway and Jeanne Howard, both of whom are prosecutors assigned to the violent crime section of the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Simpsonville Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Conspiring to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Hundreds of Kilograms of Marijuana and to Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of his Trafficking ActivityRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Andre Eaddy, age 37, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Anderson. Eaddy pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). United States District Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Eaddy coordinated with individuals in California and Colorado to transport kilogram quantities of marijuana for distribution in South Carolina. Eaddy made monthly trips, often with co-conspirators, to deliver large amounts of United States currency or to otherwise secure the purchase of marijuana from other co-conspirators. Mr. Eaddy would then have such purchases mailed back to South Carolina, to addresses associated with himself or various individuals, where such marijuana was then redistributed. Evidence indicates that Eaddy shipped over 1000 pounds of marijuana into South Carolina. Additionally, at a search of Eaddy’s residence, he was found in possession of a Keltec 9mm handgun, a Nodak Spud LLC rifle, a Taurus Judge .410 pistol, and a large amount of ammunition.
Ms. Lydon stated that the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is a fine of $8,000,000 and/or imprisonment of up to Life, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Service. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Federal Jury Convicts Two Texas Men of Trafficking Multi-Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine through Myrtle Beach—Both Face Possible Life Sentences in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Abraham Arturo Rodríguez, 30 years old, and Ruben Rodríguez, 23 years old, both from Brownsville, Texas, were convicted of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine after a 3-day jury trial in Florence. The 12-person jury unanimously found both men guilty of the maximum crimes charged after a short deliberation. Abraham Rodríguez faces 20 years to life imprisonment based on his role in the offense and a prior drug conviction. Ruben Rodríguez faces 10 years to life.
The evidence presented at trial showed that the two men came from the southwest border and rented a room at an upscale beachfront resort in North Myrtle Beach to be their base of operations. From their high-rise hotel room, the Rodríguezes coordinated the delivery of more than 50 kilograms of cocaine—drugs valued at more than $1,500,000—from January through November 2017. The men smuggled most of the cocaine to so-called “stash houses” located in the Fayetteville, North Carolina area using clandestine work trucks. To avoid detection by law enforcement, the cocaine was stored in average-looking residences in middle-class neighborhoods where families lived and resided. Inside these otherwise normal-looking homes, drug dealers armed with assault weapons kept watch over safes full of kilogram-sized bricks of cocaine and sold it to other drug dealers who came from as far away as Washington, DC, to purchase wholesale quantities of drugs. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds were then carried back to Myrtle Beach by the men, who shipped the ill-gotten gains back to their associates at the Mexican border via overnight mail. The evidence further showed that while staying in South Carolina, Rodríguezes’ and their criminal associates spent large amounts of cash partying at Myrtle Beach nightclubs, buying high-end vehicles, and taking expensive excursions to cities such as Charleston, South Carolina.
All this came to an end on November 5, 2017, when DEA agents and North Myrtle Beach officers armed with a federal search warrant raided the Rodríguezes’ North Myrtle Beach hotel room, finding more than $143,000 in drug proceeds and a small amount of cocaine. Both men were indicted by a federal grand jury. Soon thereafter, Ruben was arrested crossing back into the United States at the Mexican border; Abraham was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both men have been in continuous custody since their arrest on these federal charges, and they will remain in custody until they serve out their federal sentences.
The South Carolina case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted by officers from the North Myrtle Beach Police Department. The South Carolina case was opened based on a tip provided by North Carolina officers from the Fayetteville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Andrew Moorman, Deputy Chief of Narcotics, and Everett McMillian, both of whom are prosecutors assigned to the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force of the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of South Carolina. This case is part of a concentrated joint effort between local and federal authorities to disrupt and dismantle the supply chains of cocaine, opioids, and other drugs into the Myrtle Beach area.
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Co-Conspirator Sentenced to 57 Months for Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Alonzo Anderson, age 45, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Anderson to 57 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Anderson conspired with others, in Greenville County, South Carolina, to coordinate the international distribution of quantities of cocaine.
The case was investigated by ICE - Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.
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"Operation Real Time:" Spartanburg Felon Sentenced to 10 Years for Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon stated today that Harvest Maurice Sloan, age 39, of Spartanburg, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia presided over the two-day trial in January and sentenced Sloan to ten years on the gun charge.
The government presented multiple witnesses during the course of the trial. Witness testimony and the evidence presented by the government at trial established that on April 25, 2017, a Greenville police officer encountered the defendant, Harvest Maurice Sloan, at a car while the officer was investigating a stolen vehicle report. During a search of the car, police located a backpack containing a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol, along with additional 9mm ammunition from the front seat area of the car.
A special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) retrieved calls made by Harvest Maurice Sloan from the Greenville County jail that contained conversations relating to the pistol recovered by police.
Sloan was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 159 defendants and seizure of approximately 266 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Lydon commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We remain at the ready and are eager to continue and grow this effort—working alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Greenville Police Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Greenville Woman Guilty of Fraud Involving ImmigrationRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that on October 17, 2018, Veronica Perdomo, age 43, of Greenville, South Carolina, entered a plea of guilty as charged before United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Perdomo pled guilty to two counts of Wire Fraud, each such count carrying a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, four counts of Impersonating an Officer or Employee of the United States, each such count carrying a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and twelve counts of Fraudulently Affixing the Seal of an Agency of the United States to a Document, each such count carrying a sentence of up to 5 years in prison. Sentencing will occur after the preparation of a presentence report by the United States Probation Office.
At the guilty plea hearing, Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens advised Judge Cain of the following facts: Perdomo devised a scheme whereby she, at various times, pretended to be either an employee, officer or attorney working with or for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/CIS). Perdomo would seek out aliens who were either illegally in the United States or were here legally but having problems with their immigration status. For a fee, Perdomo would “assist” these people in dealing with their immigration problems. In truth and fact she did absolutely nothing to assist them with their problems. In order to facilitate the scheme and artifice, Perdomo would prepare documents that she claimed were being sent to DHS/CIS, which actually were simply being piled up in a storage shed behind her home. Perdomo would then create bogus documents bearing the seal of DHS/CIS which she claimed were being sent from DHS/CIS and provide same to her victims to purportedly show that their situations were being addressed. USA Lydon advised that further details of the case could be found in the Indictment, a copy of which is attached.
USA Lydon further advised that a co-defendant in the case, Latoya Sanders, age 30, of Greenville, South Carolina, had earlier entered a plea of guilty as outlined in a press release which is also attached hereto. At the time of that plea no facts concerning the case were released due to Perdomo’s case being pending. USA Lydon stated that Sanders played a lesser role in the offense than did Perdomo and was basically used to collect money from the victims and assist Perdomo in her charade of being a part of the DHS/CIS.
USA Lydon commended the efforts of the real agents from DHS/CIS who she said worked many hours conducting a superb investigation. Additionally, Lydon had high praise for the officers from the Greenville City Police Department who originated the case and were outstanding partners as the investigation moved in to the federal arena.
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sanders_latoya_-_plea.pdf indictment.pdfForeign Service Officer Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Claims to the Department of StateRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Tiffany Thomas, age 34, of Bowie, Maryland, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston to Submission of False, Fictitious, and Fraudulent Claims, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287. United States District Judge Margaret Seymour, of Charleston, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Thomas submitted false claims while she was employed in the Department of State’s Regional Security Office in Lome, Togo. The funds were managed by the Department of State's Global Financial Services Center in Charleston. As part of the scheme, Thomas submitted forged receipts for expenses related to official travel in the United States and abroad. The Government alleges the claims exceeded $100,000.
Ms. Lydon stated the maximum penalty for Submission of False, Fictitious, and Fraudulent Claims is imprisonment for 5 years, a fine of $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by special agents of the Department of State, Office of Inspector General, led by Inspector General Steve A. Linick. Assistant United States Attorney Matt Austin of the Charleston Office is prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Connection with 2008 Torture, Robbery, and Murder in AikenRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Antonio Miller, age 40, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court to 360 months (30 years) imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Miller plead guilty last year in connection with the torture, robbery, and murder of Fred Tucker in Aiken. Specifically, Miller plead guilty to using a firearm to commit murder in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking, kidnapping resulting in death; and conspiring to distribute crack cocaine resulting in death. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed the sentence.
Court hearings revealed that on September 15, 2008, Miller and three co-confederates targeted Fred Tucker to rob him of drugs and drug proceeds to further their ongoing efforts to distribute crack cocaine. Miller and the others drove in a rental car to Tucker’s house in Aiken. Carrying multiple firearms, these four men entered Tucker’s home, subdued and restrained Tucker, binding his hands and feet with duct tape, before repeatedly burning him with a scalding flathead screwdriver. After torturing Tucker in order to learn the location of hidden drugs and drug proceeds, Tucker was fatally shot in the chest. Through the work of local law enforcement, searches of the rental car and Miller’s own residence revealed crack cocaine taken from Tucker and firearms that ballistically matched those used to murder Tucker.
After his co-defendants pleaded guilty, a state-court jury convicted Miller of kidnapping, murder, and related charges before South Carolina Circuit Judge Doyet A. (Jack) Early, III. On appeal in 2016, the South Carolina Supreme Court reversed the conviction. As part of a longstanding history of cooperation with Second Circuit Solicitor Strom Thurmond Jr., federal authorities indicted Miller in 2017. After United States District Judge Lewis denied Miller’s attempts to suppress evidence of the murder, Miller agreed to plead guilty and be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Aiken Department of Public Safety, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety and the United States Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney J.D. Rowell prosecuted the case, along with assistance from Special Assistant United States Attorney Beth Ann Young of the Second Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office Welcomes More Federal ProsecutorsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced and welcomed Assistant United States Attorneys Kathleen Stoughton and Elliott Daniels to her staff this week.
Katie Stoughton graduated from the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina and The George Washington University Law School. She previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Dennis W. Shedd on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Honorable Terry L. Wooten, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she served as Counsel to United States Senator Lindsey O. Graham on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Katie will join the Appellate Division.
Elliott Daniels obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from The George Washington University and studied law at Oxford University, where he received a diploma in international and human rights law. Prior to law school, he worked abroad and in Washington, D.C., in the international human rights field. Elliott most recently worked as a civil defense attorney at Murphy & Grantland, P.A. in Columbia, where he led the firm’s practice group representing survivors of trafficking. He will join the Criminal Division with a focus on Violent Crime.
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Pickens Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Jeffrey Lee Harris, age 31, of Pickens, pled guilty in federal court in Spartanburg, to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, of Spartanburg, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement conducted a proactive investigation involving individuals obtaining child pornography. Law enforcement learned that Harris had used Bitcoin to purchase a membership in a foreign website that specialized in child pornography.
Officers obtained Harris’s computers and interviewed him. On the computers, officers found multiple images and videos of children, some prepubescent, engaged in sexual activity and the lascivious display of the genitals. After being given his Miranda warnings, Harris admitted that he had sought out and downloaded the child pornography found on his computer.
Ms. Lydon stated the maximum penalty Harris can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, supervised release of up to life, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Columbia Men Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms After Federal Convictions for Large Scale Heroin ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Michael Glover, a/k/a “Glove,” a/k/a “G,” a/k/a “HG,” age 48, and Jihad Salahadeen Pollard, age 44, both formerly of Columbia, South Carolina, were sentenced to lengthy sentences yesterday in federal court. Glover was sentenced to 324 months (27 years) imprisonment, which will be followed by 8 years of supervised release. Pollard was sentenced to 121 months (10.08 years) imprisonment, which will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Glover and Pollard each plead guilty last year to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B). Glover also plead guilty to a money laundering conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h). Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, imposed the sentences.
Glover and Pollard were two of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a series of court-authorized, DEA-monitored wiretaps over several telephones in the Columbia area. The investigation revealed that a group of individuals in the Columbia area were obtaining large amounts of heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Evidence indicated that the suppliers were initially getting the heroin in packages from India. Several packages destined for Columbia and containing heroin were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. After those packages were intercepted, Glover and Pollard, along with their co-defendants, obtained heroin from suppliers in New York and transported it back to Columbia to stash houses and later distributed to street level dealers. The New York heroin suppliers were charged and convicted in the Eastern District of New York for their role in the heroin conspiracy.
Glover and Pollard were fugitives until their arrests in the summer of 2017 in San Antonio, Texas, where they were residing under false identities. Pollard was located after being arrested by Texas authorities for selling heroin. While in a Texas jail, a check of Pollard’s fingerprints determined that he was using a fake identity and wanted in South Carolina. The following month, the United States Marshals Service located Glover in Texas using a false identity and brought him back to South Carolina. Glover, who has prior North Carolina state convictions for sale of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, was deemed a career offender by the court.
Six of their co-defendants were arrested in 2014 and plead guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and were sentenced in 2015 as follows: Eric Shawn Bradley, a/k/a “E,” age 50, of Columbia, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Kenneth Crawford, age 44, of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Columbia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Charles Bradley, age 35, of Columbia, was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release to follow; Anthony Glover, age 43, of Columbia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release to follow; Larry Bookman, age 64, of Columbia, was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release; and Jessany Lyons, age 27, of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release. Two other co-defendants charged in the indictment remain fugitives and are innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department, and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Over 31,000 South Carolina Students to Participate in State’s 17th Annual National Day of Concern & Student Pledge Against Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), along their local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will visit schools across South Carolina to meet with students as a part of South Carolina’s 17th Annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. With a focus on keeping their schools and communities safe, students in middle school and high school are signing a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children are making a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult, and they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded.
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence and encourages important conversation among young people about gun safety and respectful ways to resolve disputes. Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part. For additional information concerning the pledge, visit the national Student Pledge website at www.pledge.org .
As it has done since 2002, the USAO reached out to all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and schools to make the pledges available to interested schools. This pledge effort is part of Project CeaseFire, which is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. One year ago, in October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all USAOs to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
The following South Carolina schools and local law enforcement agencies are participating in this year’s pledge on October 17th. A total of 59 schools across the state are participating in this year’s pledge event, some of which requested speakers for their pledge event, as noted below with an “asterisk”. For information on events scheduled for a particular school, please contact that school directly. The USAO would like to thank the FBI, ATF, and United States Marshals Service for their assistance in providing speakers to the 28 requesting schools. For additional information concerning the pledge, visit the national Student Pledge web site at www.pledge.org.
Participating Schools
A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School – Columbia*
Austin Middle School – Summerville*
A. R. Lewis Opportunity School - Pickens
Applied Technology Center – Rock Hill
Battery Creek High School – Beaufort*
Beaufort Middle School – Beaufort*
Blacksburg Middle School -Blacksburg*
Burke High School – Charleston*
C.E. Williams Middle School - Charleston
Cane Bay Middle School - Summerville
Castle Heights Middle School – Rock Hill
Cheraw Intermediate School – Cheraw*
Clover 9th Grade Campus - Clover
Clover High School - Clover
Dutchman Creek Middle School – Rock Hill
Forest Heights Elementary School – Columbia*
Gilbert High School – Gilbert*
Gold Hill Middle School – Tega Cay
Greer High School - Greer
Hardeeville - Ridgeland Middle School - Ridgeland*
Hilton Head High School – Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island Middle School – Hilton Head Island
James Island Charter High School – James Island
Ladson Elementary - Ladson
Lee Central High School - Bishopville
Liberty Elementary School – Liberty*
Lemira Elementary School - Sumter
Longleaf Middle School - Columbia*
Macedonia Middle School – Moncks Corner*
McCormick High School - McCormick*
McCormick Middle School - McCormick*
Midlands Art Conservatory - Columbia*
Myrtle Beach High School – Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Middle School – Myrtle Beach
North Augusta Middle School – North Augusta
Northwest Elementary School - Gaffney*
Northwestern High School – Rock Hill
Oakbrook Middle School - Ladson
Oakridge Middle School – Clover
Ocean Drive Elementary School – Myrtle Beach
Paul Knox Middle School – North Augusta
Pepperhill Elementary School - Charleston*
Pine Grove Elementary School - Columbia*
Pine Ridge Middle School – West Columbia
Rawlinson Road Middle School – Rock Hill
Richland One Middle College - Columbia*
Robert Small International Academy - Beaufort
Rock Hill High School – Rock Hill*
South Pointe High School – Rock Hill
St. George Middle School – St. George*
St. James - Santee Elementary Middle School - McClellanville*
St. James Intermediate School - Charleston
St. John's High School – John’s Island*
Sullivan Middle School – Rock Hill
Summerville High School - Summerville*
Ware Shoals Primary School –Ware Shoals*
Washington Street Elementary -Hartsville*
W.J. Keenan High School - Columbia
Whale Branch Early College High School - Seabrook*
Whale Branch Middle School – Seabrook
Participating Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Beaufort Police Department
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
Charleston Police Department
City of Charleston Department of Police
Columbia Police Department
Greenwood County Sheriff’s Department
Greer Police Department
Hardeeville Police Department
McCormick Sheriff’s Department
Midlands Technical College
Myrtle Beach Police Department
North Augusta Department of Public Safety
North Charleston Police Department
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office
Richland County Sheriff’s Department
Rock Hill Police Department
St. George Police Department
Summerville Police Department
Sumter Police Department
Tega Cay Police Department
Town of Summerville
York County Sheriff’s Office
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Marlboro County Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Drug Distribution ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Tommy Adams, Jr., age 41, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after a pre-sentence report is prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and previous court hearings established that officers with the Bennettsville Police Department (BPD) were investigating unlawful drug activity in the Ella Street area of Bennettsville, South Carolina. As part of that investigation, BPD officers utilized a confidential informant who purchased a quantity of cocaine base from Adams on November 2, 2017. After further investigation, a search warrant was obtained and served on February 2, 2018. Police found quantity amounts of cocaine and cocaine base in a car driven by Adams. A loaded .38 caliber revolver was also found in the car.
Adams has multiple state convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Adams faces a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000 and 6 years of supervised release on the drug distribution charge.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with the Bennettsville Police Department investigated the case as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher D. Taylor and A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.
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Pee Dee Re-Entry Job Fair & ExpoRead the Press Release
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina ----–The United States Attorney’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; SC Department of Employment and Workforce; SC Works; SC Vocational Rehabilitation; SC Department of Social Services; and the US Probation Office are continuing their statewide partnership to help individuals with prior criminal backgrounds secure employment.
The Third Annual Pee Dee Reentry Job Fair & Expo will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Horry Georgetown Technical College Conference and Business Center, located at 950 Crabtree Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
This fair, which targets the Pee Dee region of the State, is one in a series of fairs held annually, including in the Low Country, the Upstate, and the Midlands. The partner organizations believe that these tailored expos, for people with a criminal background, will provide some focused help for the particular obstacles individuals face after returning home, particularly in securing employment.
The first two Pee Dee Reentry Job Fairs were hosted in Florence, South Carolina where more than 500 job seekers attended over the two years, combined. The opportunity to host this year’s fair in Myrtle Beach will expand the availability of resources to new employers and job seekers alike.
Professional dress is required. Job seekers should inquire with Marcos Barahona of the US Probation Office at [email protected] or George Whitehead at (803) 734-9143, (803) 667-1258 or [email protected] if they have any questions about the event. Employers should contact Kimberly Burke at [email protected] or make inquiry at [email protected].
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Charlotte Man Sentenced for Federal Firearm Violations Stemming from Sheriff's Convention Break-InsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Elontrae Ali Glenn, age 24, to 120 months of incarceration, which is the statutory maximum, as a result of his conviction for Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g).
Evidence presented in court established that on January 26, 2018, Glenn happened upon a law enforcement convention in the Columbia area, and began forcibly making entry into law enforcement vehicles. From these vehicles, Glenn took nine firearms, several rounds of ammunition, and other law enforcement paraphernalia. In making his way back to Charlotte, the South Carolina Highway Patrol attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Glenn after clocking the vehicle travelling over the speed limit. Glenn refused to stop the vehicle and attempted to evade law enforcement in a high-speed chase that lasted over seventeen miles and reached speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour. Eventually, law enforcement brought Glenn’s vehicle to a stop, using a boxing maneuver, but not before Glenn rammed two patrol vehicles in a final attempt to escape. Glenn was apprehended, and law enforcement recovered the stolen firearms and other paraphernalia in the vehicle driven by Glenn. Glenn is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a weapon into occupied property, breaking and entering motor vehicles, and possession with intent to distribute.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Chester County Sheriff’s Department, and Columbia Police Department. Glenn was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Blythewood Woman Sentenced for Embezzlement of Government FundsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Teresa Yarborough-Walker, age 50, of Blythewood, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for Theft of Government Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 641. She was also ordered to pay over $416,000 in restitution. Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided.
Evidence presented previously established that Walker was the human resources supervisor for Genesis Health Care, Inc. Genesis is a non-profit health care center that offers medical services to poor, rural communities. Genesis was funded by the Health Resources Service Administration, an agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. Many Genesis patients are on Medicare and Medicaid.
Walker embezzled from Genesis by creating fictitious employees and paying them a salary. She then diverted those salaries to herself. She modified the payroll software to prevent reports from going to management that would have revealed the scheme.
Walker stole approximately $416,257.00.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the City of Columbia Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Florence Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Trevor Winfield Evins, age 35, of Florence, entered a guilty plea in federal court in Florence to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., of Spartanburg, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after a pre-sentence report is prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that October 18, 2017, an officer with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling near Saluda Drive and Madison Avenue and attempted to stop Evins for a traffic violation. Evins fled leading police on a vehicle chase before eventually stopping his car and fleeing on foot. FCSO officers located Evins after a search of the area. A search of the car driven by Evins uncovered quantity amounts of marijuana and cocaine. A loaded 9mm pistol was found hidden in the engine compartment.
Evins is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon prior convictions. Evins has a prior federal court conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and a state court conviction for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Evins faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.
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United States Attorney’s Office Participates in ADA Workshop for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing CommunityRead the Press Release
North Charleston, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that the United States Attorney’s Office continued its firm commitment to upholding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob Sneed served as a presenter during an ADA Workshop for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
The event was sponsored by the South Carolina Association of the Deaf, Inc. (SCAD). SCAD is the statewide non-profit organization that focuses on promoting equal treatment toward deaf and hard of hearing citizens in education, employment, legislation, healthcare, and other fields pertaining to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens of South Carolina. Mrs. Anita M. Steichen-McDaniel, SCAD’s Executive Director, was the lead organizer of the event. This event was held at the Whitfield Center at Charleston Southern University on Saturday, September 29, 2018. AUSA Sneed provided an overview of federal disability laws and focused on those aspects of the ADA of greatest interest to members of the deaf and hard of hearing community.
The ADA requires that covered entities (state and local governments; businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.
U.S. Attorney Lydon stated that community outreach efforts such as this continue the U.S. Attorney’s and DOJ’s long standing commitment to Project Civic Access, which is a wide-ranging effort to ensure that counties, cities, towns, and villages comply with the ADA by eliminating physical and communication barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in community life. The training also demonstrates the U.S. Attorney’s ongoing support of DOJ’s Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, which is an initiative that includes effective communication for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, physical access to medical care for people with mobility disabilities, and equal access to treatment for people who have HIV/AIDS.
In addition to the ADA, the DOJ and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina enforces federal civil rights laws, including the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Civil remedies under these statutes include monetary penalties, injunctions, civil judgments and more.
To learn more about the ADA and other laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, log on to the DOJ’s ADA website https://www.ada.gov/ or call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). The U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Program webpages are located at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/civil-rights.
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Six Plead Guilty to a Multi-State Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire, and Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Derrick Nelson, age 42, of Timmonsville, South Carolina, Whitney Magazine, age 25, of Jacksonville, Florida, Brittany Duncan, age 25, Tanisha Bynoe, age 30, and Errol Mack, age 29, of Brooklyn, New York, have entered guilty pleas in federal court in Columbia, to conspiring to commit mail, wire and bank fraud involving counterfeit American Express Travelers Checks, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1349. Eric Wilson, age 48 of Bishopville, South Carolina, plead guilty to the same charge on March 29, 2018. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence was presented at the change of plea hearings to establish that the investigation of this case began when the Secret Service received a report that Eric Wilson was selling counterfeit travelers checks while he was living in Florence, South Carolina. Further investigation revealed that the checks were related to an investigation into counterfeit traveler’s checks that the Secret Service had begun in New York in 2007 that had caused losses to American Express of more than twenty million dollars. The defendants and others were selling, purchasing, spending, and mailing counterfeit travelers checks throughout the United States. All of the defendants were caught in Columbia, South Carolina, and elsewhere, passing counterfeit travelers checks. U.S. Attorney Lydon stated the maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Commit Mail, Wire, or Bank Fraud is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney Lydon Announces Project Safe Neighborhoods Grants to Combat Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SC ------ United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today the District of South Carolina has been awarded $547,945.00 in Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grants to combat violent crime. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs will serve as the fiscal agent for the funds, which will be awarded to sub-grantees in a competitive grant process to be announced shortly.
Attorney General Sessions has made PSN the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
South Carolina’s implementation of PSN is called Project CeaseFire. PSN has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.
“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs.”
Through the enhanced PSN, the Department of Justice is targeting the most violent criminals in the most violent areas, utilizing policing tools that did not exist even a few years ago. Tools like crime gun intelligence centers (CGIC), which combine intelligence from gunshot detection systems, ballistics, gun tracing, and good old-fashioned police work, help to develop real-time leads on the “traffickers and trigger pullers” who are fueling the violence in their communities. By using modern technologies and cutting-edge police work, the Department of Justice is deploying resources strategically to provide the greatest return on our community-based anti-violence efforts.
The grants announced today build on Attorney General Sessions’ commitment to reducing violent crime in America, as directed by President Trump’s February 2017 Executive Order. The Department has distributed additional resources and built up strong partnerships with local law enforcement in communities plagued by violent crime.
Since the announcement of the reinvigoration of the PSN program in October 2017, the Department of Justice has increased the number of federal prosecutors focused on violent crime by over 300, directed its resources to improving cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies, restored local control of police agencies by reining in excessive use of consent decrees, reformed civil asset forfeiture and restored asset-sharing with state and local law enforcement, and helped fund over 800 hundred officers in police departments across America.
United States Attorney Lydon announced that South Carolina recently received funding for three new violent crime federal prosecutors, as well as additional support staff. These positions will be added to the violent crime unit, which will continue to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to address violent crime in our communities.
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U.S. Attorney Lydon Announces Progress in Making Our Communities Safer Through Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SC ------ United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that one year ago, the Department of Justice announced the revitalization and enhancement of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which Attorney General Sessions has made the centerpiece of the Department’s violent crime reduction strategy. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
South Carolina’s implementation of PSN is called Project CeaseFire. PSN has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.
“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a proven program with demonstrated results,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “We know that the most effective strategy to reduce violent crime is based on sound policing policies that have proven effective over many years, which includes being targeted and responsive to community needs. I have empowered our United States Attorneys to focus enforcement efforts against the most violent criminals in their districts, and directed that they work together with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and community partners to develop tailored solutions to the unique violent crime problems they face. Each United States Attorney has prioritized the PSN program, and I am confident that it will continue to reduce crime, save lives, and restore safety to our communities.”
Sherri Lydon, United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, has quickly redoubled efforts and resources in combatting violent crime and securing our communities, recently adding federal prosecutors in the Columbia, Greenville, and Florence offices. “We are ‘all in’ with our state and local partners and committed to turning the tide of violence in South Carolina.”
As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the revitalized PSN program, here are some of the highlights of our PSN/Project CeaseFire actions over the past year in South Carolina:
Enforcement Actions
Across the state, federal partners have worked hand in hand with local law enforcement agencies to make our communities safer by getting the most violent armed recidivists off our streets and out of our communities. One of the programs implemented under PSN/Project CeaseFire in South Carolina is “Operation Real Time,” which is designed to fast-track the most violent armed offenders to federal court, where many times they face stiffer penalties for firearm offenses and swift justice.
During 2017 – 2018, the USAO has prosecuted 533 armed offenders in 178 federal criminal complaints and 455 federal indictments. Below are some examples of armed felons successfully prosecuted under PSN/Project CeaseFire recently. Additional PSN/Project CeaseFire press releases may be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr.
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/columbia-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-firearms-charge
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/orangeburg-man-pleads-federal-firearm-charge-stemming-shooting-officers
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/rock-hill-man-sentenced-150-months-federal-firearm-and-drug-charges
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/federal-jury-finds-greenville-felon-guilty-firearm-trial
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/newberry-felon-sentenced-327-months-imprisonment-possessing-firearm-furtherance
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/lexington-man-sentenced-70-months-federal-prison-after-pleading-firearm-and-ammunition
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/orangeburg-man-pleads-federal-firearm-charge-stemming-shooting-officers
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/travelers-rest-woman-sentenced-15-years-imprisonment-being-felon-possession-firearm-and
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/north-carolina-man-sentenced-105-months-imprisonment-after-pleading-guilty-being-felon
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/convicted-felon-sentenced-188-months-federal-prison-gun-and-drug-charges
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/lexington-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-drug-and-firearm-charges
Community Partnerships
“National Day of Concern”: On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office, along with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will visit schools across South Carolina to meet with students as a part of our 17th annual Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. With a focus on keeping their schools and communities safe, students in middle school and high school are signing a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence to prevent friends from using guns to resolve disputes. Elementary school children are making a simpler commitment, pledging that if they see a gun they will not touch it, they will tell a teacher or a trusted adult, and they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded.
The Student Pledge Against Gun Violence is a national program that recognizes the role young people, through their own decisions, can play in reducing gun violence. The program provides a means for beginning the conversation with young people about gun violence and encourages important conversation among young people about gun safety and respectful ways to resolve disputes. Students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part.
• https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/south-carolina-s-17th-annual-national-day-concern-student-pledge-against-gun-violence
'Focused Deterrence Models: Aiken Safe Communities and beyond”: In late 2012, the USAO-DSC partnered with the Aiken Department of Public Safety as well as numerous other federal, state, and local enforcement partners and community partners in their efforts to advance “Aiken Safe Communities.” This program entails inviting repeat offenders, many of whom are on state probation, to a public forum and allowing community partners, as well as law enforcement, to urge the offenders to not re-offend and to seize opportunities offered by the community. Officially launched in early 2013, the Aiken Safe Communities Initiative is a unified, proactive community approach to engage, educate, and encourage recurring offenders to change their behavior and make healthy life choices. The initiative also bands together local, state, and federal law enforcement to expedite the investigation and prosecution of individuals who reoffend in lieu of accepting opportunities and assistance offered by the community during public notification meetings held at Aiken City Hall several times a year.
From 2012-2013, the City of Aiken experienced an 86% reduction in murders. In 2014, the South Carolina Community Development Association presented the city of Aiken with its 2014 Award of Excellence, recognizing community development efforts that have significantly improved the quality of life in the community. “Safe Communities” continues to thrive with active involvement by the community, to include faith-based, non-profit, and business partners, as well as law enforcement at all levels. For those participants who did not avail themselves of the opportunities offered at the “call in” and reoffended thereafter, indictments followed. However, of the over 125 individuals who have participated in the program, the resulting recidivism rate is less than 18% compared to a national average of over 75%.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also helped facilitate and initiate additional iterations in Conway (C-STAND), Columbia (Ceasefire Columbia), Hartsville (Hartsville Safe Communities), Greenville (Greenville Safe Communities), and Orangeburg (Orangeburg) Safe Communities.
“Operation ‘Home Front’”: Home Front is a focused deterrence-based initiative to combat domestic violence led by 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette. The initiative launched in December of 2016 and has the full support and partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Solicitor Barnette has detailed a career prosecutor from his office, Jennifer Wells, to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney handling these cases for the 7th Circuit in United States Federal Court. Since early 2017, thirty-seven domestic violence defendants have been indicted and prosecuted as a part of the United States Attorney’s Office’s partnership with the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to reduce domestic violence homicides and lower recidivism rates. Twenty-three of these defendants pled guilty to firearm related offenses. Two were found guilty at trial. To date, eleven defendants have been sentenced between 16 – 108 months in the Bureau of Prisons. The average sentence is 52 months.
Modelled after a program started in High Point, North Carolina, members of the Home Front task force began earlier this fall, meeting with representatives from every police department in Spartanburg county as well as the Sheriff’s Office. The Spartanburg County State Probation office and victim’s advocate stalwart, SAFE Homes, also serve as critical partners in this effort. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, domestic violence is a community crime problem that costs the United States over $5.8 billion every year. It is a major drain on law enforcement resources as domestic violence generates a high volume of calls and repeated calls to the same location. Domestic violence homicides make up 40–50 percent of all murders of women in the United States. Women who have experienced a history of domestic violence report more health problems than other women and they have a greater risk for substance abuse, unemployment, alcoholism, and suicide attempts.
Research shows that the repeat domestic violence offender tends to have a significant criminal history that includes a wide range of both domestic violence and non-domestic violence offenses. Most of these offenders are readily identified as they are known to the criminal justice system. The Home Front initiative exposes the repeat domestic violence offender to sanctions because of his pattern of criminal behavior. According to the 2015 Violence Policy Center “When Men Murder Women” report, South Carolina led the nation in rates of women murdered by men. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the victims were killed with a firearm and ninety-six percent (96%) of women murdered were killed by someone they knew. In Spartanburg County during the 2015 calendar year, SAFE Homes serviced 6726 victims of domestic violence. In the same time frame, the Spartanburg Police Department charged 907 domestic violence cases and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office charged 1068 domestic violence cases. There were fourteen (14) domestic related deaths in Spartanburg County in 2015.
Solicitor Barnette has had enough. “Domestic violence is violence, period. It continues to plague our community--so costly and harmful to families and children, persisting year after year. It is time for these offenders to get our best shot—our best efforts. That is Home Front.”
United States Attorney Sherri Lydon agrees. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands with Solicitor Barnette as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement in this innovative approach to stop the abuse and secure our victims and families from this continued cycle of horrific violence.”
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/spartanburg-initiative-combat-domestic-violence-results-108-month-federal-prison-sentence
Improvements to Community Safety
• The FBI’s official crime data for 2017 reflects that, after two consecutive, historic increases in violent crime, in the first year of the Trump Administration the nationwide violent crime rate began to decline. The nationwide violent crime rate decreased by approximately one percent in 2017, while the nationwide homicide rate decreased by nearly one and a half percent.
• The preliminary information we have for 2018 gives us reason for optimism that our efforts are continuing to pay off. Public data from 60 major cities show that violent crime was down by nearly five percent in those cities in the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period a year ago.
These enforcement actions and partnerships are part of PSN, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime. Learn more about Project Safe Neighborhoods.
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Two Plead Guilty to Federal Firearm Charges Arising from Lexington County Home InvasionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Brandon J. Thompson, age 31, and Quintrell Morris, age 19, both of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court. Thompson plead guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, use/carry/possess/brandish of firearms during and in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951(a), 922(g)(1), and 924(c)(1)(A). Morris plead guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use/carry/possess/brandish of firearms during and in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence, use/carry/possess/brandish of firearms during and in relation to and in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1951(a), 922(g)(1), 924(c)(1)(A), and 924(o). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentences after she has reviewed the presentence reports, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court established that on the early morning hours of December 30, 2017, deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call referencing a home invasion on Maple View Drive. Upon approaching the residence, deputies noticed the door open, entered the home, and found two armed men, Thompson and Morris. After detaining both Thompson and Morris, deputies located a female, who had been tied up, and her children, one of whom had called 911. The female advised that they had forced her to open a safe and give them the money from it. Deputies seized a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun from Thompson and a loaded Bushmaster .223 caliber rifle from Morris. A ballistic vest was also seized from Thompson’s vehicle, which was located nearby. The investigation revealed that Thompson and Morris went to this home in an effort to rob the homeowners of proceeds from various businesses they operated.
Thompson and Morris are both prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon their prior state convictions. Thompson has prior state convictions for armed robbery and assault with intent to kill. Morris, a gang member who was on state probation at the time, has prior state convictions for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Thompson and Morris face the following penalties: a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the Hobbs Act robbery charges; a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge; and a mandatory minimum of 7 years imprisonment and a maximum of life, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 5 years of supervised release on the use/carry/possess/brandish a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local initiative focused upon aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Greenwood Man Sentenced to 90 Months Imprisonment for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Jerry Jerome Yeldell, age 50, of Greenwood, South Carolina, was sentenced after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Senior United States District Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, sentenced Yeldell to 90 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
At an earlier guilty plea hearing, Assistant U. S. Attorney Jeanne Howard, established that on July 31, 2016, Greenwood Police received a call that someone had been shot on Taggert Avenue in Greenwood. The victim was transported to the hospital and identified Yeldell as the person who shot him. Shortly thereafter, Yeldell turned himself in to the Greenwood Police Department and admitted to shooting the victim but stated it was in self-defense.
Because of his prior criminal history, which includes three convictions for public disorderly conduct, two convictions for distribution of crack cocaine, a conviction for possession of crack cocaine, a conviction for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, three convictions for simple assault and battery, a conviction for assault and battery 3rd degree, two convictions for burglary 2nd degree, 3 convictions for breaking into motor vehicles, and two convictions for forgery, Yeldell is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
The case was investigated by bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Greenwood Police Department, and FBI Safe Streets Task Force and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local initiative focused upon aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Greenwood Investment Advisor Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon stated today that Melvin Leonard Wimmer, Jr., age 53, of Greenwood, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, for Securities Fraud. Senior United States District Judge Henry Herlong, of Greenville, sentenced Wimmer to 75 months imprisonment and 5 years Supervised Release. The court also ordered Wimmer to pay $3,056,000 in restitution.
Evidence uncovered in the investigation established that in 2007, Wimmer started an investment firm in Greenwood called Cornerstone Capital. From 2010-2017, approximately twenty-five (25) individuals invested $3.6 million with Wimmer. Wimmer pooled the money into one bank account, and he invested in high-risk securities and futures contracts.
Wimmer committed fraud by issuing fraudulent account statements to his investors. Soon after he started trading options and futures, Wimmer lost money, and he continued to lose money throughout the scheme. Instead of reporting the losses, Wimmer emailed his investors monthly account statements that falsely listed gains of 8-10 percent on an annualized basis. Wimmer manufactured and distributed false account statements from the outset, and he continued until the scheme collapsed. Wimmer also falsely represented the expected gains from trading, including the past performance of his trades, and he failed to inform the investors of the high risk of trading futures and options. Of the $3.6 million invested, Wimmer lost approximately $3 million. Much of this money came from the investors’ retirement savings.
United States Attorney Sherri Lydon noted that “this prosecution illustrates the devastating impact that financial fraud inflicts on many Americans. Sadly, many of the victims in this case are elderly and lost all of their retirement savings. A free market system cannot function without integrity in the financial markets.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon Adds More Federal Prosecutors in Columbia, Greenville, and FlorenceRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- Quickly focusing her efforts on providing local, state, and federal law enforcement more resources in the collective effort to secure communities across the state, United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon has added four new Assistant United States Attorneys to her staff within a matter of weeks. A fifth is slated to start in mid-October. “Following Attorney General Sessions’ lead on our renewed efforts to combat violent crime, we have quickly responded to the call. With, soon to be, five new federal prosecutors in three of our four offices in a span of just weeks underscores our dedication to the safety of South Carolinians.”
Sloan P. Ellis joined the Greenville US Attorney’s office on August 20, 2018. Ellis will focus on Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Taskforce cases (OCDETF). On October 1, 2018, Tina M. Cundari joined the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) housed within the Civil Division of the US Attorney’s Office in Columbia. Justin W. Holloway and Derek A. Shoemake, both sworn in just this morning in a ceremony in federal court in Florence, officially joined the Florence office also on October 1. Holloway and Shoemake will focus their efforts on violent crime prosecutions in the greater Pee Dee and Myrtle Beach region.
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Myrtle Beach Felon who Threatened Police on Facebook Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Anthony Scott Hunt, age 38, of Myrtle Beach, SC, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Hunt to 60 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release to follow.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on February 19, 2018, a complainant met with an officer at the Horry County Police Department (HCPD) regarding some disturbing Facebook posts by Anthony Scott Hunt, which were directed toward Horry County Police and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). In the Facebook posts, Hunt referenced DEU in Horry County and stated he was “taking these…cops to war” and that he had automatic weapons, ammunition, and body armor. He also stated he is “stalking my guns up” and that he had a “Beretta 45,” along with other specific guns, so he is “Ready for War.” HCPD located, on the Facebook account, a picture of Hunt wearing what appeared to be a “Raiders” jersey and hat, bandana mask, and beaded bracelets while holding what appeared to be a Beretta pistol.
Horry County detectives obtained a search warrant for the property where Hunt lived and located, in Hunt’s living quarters, a Beretta .45 caliber handgun, loaded with rounds of ammunition, along with the jersey, hat, bandana, and bracelets Hunt was depicted wearing in his Facebook picture. Prior to his possession of the firearm, Hunt had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Horry County Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Myrtle Beach Violent Crimes Task Force, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Bomb Team and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office handled the case.
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Greenville Man Sentenced to Five Years on Child Porn ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Micah R. Vickery, age 37, of Greenville, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson, for possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Vickery to 5 years’ imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that law enforcement conducted a proactive investigation involving a file-sharing network used by individuals with an interest in child pornography. An undercover officer downloaded a video that Vickery had available for sharing.
A federal search warrant was obtained and executed. Electronic devices were seized and law enforcement found 900 images of child pornography. Vickery admitted to having a problem with all sorts of pornography and admitted to searching for and downloading child pornography. Agents found images of children under the age of 18, and some prepubescent, engaged in the lascivious display of the genitals and sexual activity.
The case was investigated by agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Notice of Court Proceedings - United States v. Daniel Edward Johnson & Nicole Halliett HollandRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA -- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that an arraignment has been scheduled in the case of United States v. Daniel Edward Johnson and Nicole Halliett Holland, Case No. 3:18-863. Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges will preside.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 2, 2018, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Matthew J. Perry Courthouse
901 Richland Street, Courtroom # 8, Columbia, SC
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Hanahan Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Justin Michael Hannah, age 39, of Hanahan, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Hannah to forty-one months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release with 24 months of electronic monitoring and home confinement.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 21, 2017, police officers responding to a 911 call regarding suspicious behavior at a North Charleston gas station, discovered two firearms in a vehicle operated by Hannah. Hannah had prior felony convictions, and North Charleston Police believe that they may have foiled a robbery.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and officers of the North Charleston Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Chris Schoen of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri Lydon stated today that Marial Watson, age 29, of Columbus, Georgia, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Watson to 78 months imprisonment and 5 years Supervised Release.
Evidence in this case established that in 2013, Watson was convicted in Georgia of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Rape. Due to this sex offense, Watson was required under state and federal law to register as sex offender, and to keep the registration current, in any state where he lived or worked.
In January 2017, Watson moved to South Carolina, but he failed to notify the authorities in Georgia or to register as a sex offender in South Carolina. In addition to his failure to register as a sex offender, Watson was arrested in April 2017 on unrelated charges. During this arrest, police found a loaded 9 mm handgun and 101 rounds of ammunition in Watson’s possession.
The case was investigated by agents from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the office prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina’s 17th Annual National Day of Concern & Student Pledge Against Gun ViolenceRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that on October 17, 2018, the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), as part of Project CeaseFire, is sponsoring South Carolina’s participation in the annual National Day of Concern and Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. On October 17th, students from around the country will join together in pledging to do their part to end gun violence. Middle-school and high school students will sign a voluntary pledge promising that they will never take a gun to school, will never resolve a dispute with a gun, and will use their influence with their friends to keep them from solving personal problems with guns. Elementary school children will make a simpler commitment. They will pledge that if they see a gun they will not touch it and they will assume that any gun they see might be loaded.
United States Attorney Lydon said, “Our youth is our future and they deserve to be safe, both at school and at home. Through this pledge event, our office is continuing our efforts to reach South Carolina students and teach them the importance of preventing gun violence.” This national event is important as it gives students around the country the chance to make an affirmation of their ability, individually and collectively, to be a powerful force for change.
As it has done since 2002, the USAO reached out to all South Carolina law enforcement agencies and schools to make the pledges available to interested schools. In addition to providing the pledges, the USAO is coordinating with our law enforcement partners to provide speakers to requesting schools. This pledge effort is part of Project CeaseFire. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
Schools and law enforcement agencies have until September 28th to register to participate in this event. For more information on how to participate, please see the attached memorandum and request form. For additional information concerning the national pledge program, visit the Student Pledge web site at www.pledge.org .
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2018_17th_annual_gun_pledge_memo_002.pdf 2018_certificate_or_speaker_request_002.pdfGreenwood Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Tramain R. Anderson, age 28, of Greenwood, was sentenced to 100 months in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Anderson and imposed a three-year term of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 12, 2017, the Greenwood City Police Department received a report that a young woman was possibly being abused at a local motel. Officers went to Room 207, knocked, and encountered Anderson. Police smelled marijuana and Anderson admitted that he had just smoked a joint. The drug evidence gave police probable cause to search the room. Upon entering the room, they located a young female occupant who said she was being held against her will and that she had been beaten by Anderson. She explained that Anderson had a gun and that it was in Anderson’s personal bag sitting on the bed. In the bag, the officers found a Taurus .38 caliber revolver that was fully loaded.
In consultation with local authorities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed to prosecute Anderson for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenwood City Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
This case is part of a joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
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Eutawville Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Mandatory Life ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Joey Lamont Brunson, a/k/a “Solo Flex,” age 42 of Eutawville, Orangeburg County, South Carolina, was sentenced on all twelve of the charges in his federal indictment by United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. Brunson was convicted at trial earlier this year by a federal jury sitting in Columbia. After just four hours of deliberations, the jury returned verdicts convicting Brunson of being a member of a conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, four counts of use of a cell phone to further drug trafficking, money laundering conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and cocaine, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and perjury. Based on his two prior federal felony drug convictions, as well as his instant convictions for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, Brunson was sentenced to a statutory mandatory life sentence (without parole) plus 60 months consecutive for the firearms offenses.
Evidence presented at the trial included numerous wiretap calls between Brunson and his main source of supply Lamario Vincent Wright from June through October of 2013. In the calls, Brunson brazenly discussed beating another conspirator in an effort to recover cocaine that the conspirator had stolen from Wright. Repeatedly in the intercepted calls and texts, Brunson ordered drugs using coded language from his suppliers.
After Brunson was indicted in 2015, agents testified he went on the run and eluded capture by the FBI for almost two years. After receiving a tip from the Navy Federal Credit Union in Summerville, agents learned that Brunson was depositing between $3000.00 and $9000.00 cash regularly at multiple locations in late 2016 and 2017. On March 3, 2017, Summerville Police Officers responded to a call for service from one of the credit unions and arrested Brunson after a brief struggle. Agents searched the silver Suzuki he was driving and located cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and two firearms. Bank records proved that Brunson deposited over $90,000.00 in cash in multiple accounts while on the run from the FBI.
Evidence at trial also included testimony and pictures of a $30,000.00 Escalade truck that Brunson bought at the request of his supplier Lamario Wright. Records showed that Brunson used over $20,000.00 in drug money to purchase the truck and that he placed it in his name to hide the fact that the truck actually belonged to his partner Wright.
The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Summerville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshal’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Will Lewis and J.D. Rowell.
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West Columbia Resident Pleads Guilty to Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Felix Martinez-Melquisdes, age 35, of West Columbia, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to possessing a firearm while being an illegal alien in the United States, a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(a)(5)(A), 924(a)(2) and 924(e). United States District Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence was presented at the change of plea hearing to establish that Martinez was prohibited from possessing a firearm as the result of being a Mexican citizen who had entered and was living in the United States illegally. The investigation of Martinez began as the result of email and telephone conversations Martinez had with a girl in Kentucky that he had had a relationship with from 7th to 12th grade. The girl was about to graduate from high school and Martinez wanted to pick her up and take her to South Carolina but she did not want to go. Martinez responded by threatening to attend the graduation and shoot everyone there. This resulted in an arrest warrant for Terrorist Threats being issued in Kentucky. Graduation was scheduled for May 19, 2018 and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Martinez at his job on May 16. At the time of his arrest Martinez was carrying a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol. U. S. Attorney Lydon stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Alien in Possession of a Firearm is imprisonment for up to 10 years, supervised release of 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, the Department of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Robbery Crew Shooter Responsible for Killing Loris, SC Store Owner Sentenced to Fifty-Five Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that yesterday, United States District Judge Brian Harwell sentenced Jonathan Stefan Vanderhorst, age 23 of Tabor City NC, to 660 months (55 years) of incarceration as a result of his convictions for Conspiring to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951; Hobbs Act Robbery, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951; Felon in Possession of Ammunition, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922(g); and Discharging a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). In addition to Vandershorst, his co-conspirators, Jim Tracy Miller age 28, and Demetrius Altman age 39, both of Tabor City, NC, were sentenced to 262 months and 168 months respectively for violations of Conspiring to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951 and Hobbs Act Robbery, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea and sentencing hearings established that on May 3, 2016, Altman drove Miller and Vanderhorst to rob the Clarendon, NC Post Office. Upon arrival, Altman waited in the vehicle and Miller and Vanderhorst entered the Post Office. Vanderhorst jumped the counter, brandished a firearm, and struck the Post Office Clerk, the sole occupant of the post office. Ultimately, Vanderhorst and Miller stole $284.00 and the Clerk’s cell phone and left in Altman’s vehicle.
Thirteen days later, on May 16, 2016, Altman drove Miller and Vanderhorst from Tabor City, NC to Loris, SC to rob the Loris Market and Beverage store. Again, Altman stayed in the vehicle and Vanderhorst and Miller entered the store. The only occupants of the store were the owners, a husband and his wife, both of whom were working behind the checkout counter. After entering, Vanderhorst fired a shot at the female victim, fortunately missing her. Vanderhorst then approached the counter and fired another shot up into the ceiling. Thereafter, the store owner took the money out of the register and passed it to Vanderhorst who took the money handed it to Miller. Vanderhorst then turned and fired two shots, striking and ultimately killing the store owner.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Horry County Police Department, and the Loris City Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorneys Will Lewis, Jim May and Special Assistant United States Attorney and Chief Deputy of the Horry County Solicitor’s Office Scott Hixon prosecuted the case.
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Myrtle Beach Man Arrested Following Federal Indictment for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina ------- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Jadarius Oshar McCray, age 22, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested following a single-count federal Indictment charging felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). The maximum penalty McCray could receive is ten years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Myrtle Beach Police Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Lancaster County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Lamonta Roberts, age 25, of Lancaster, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on May 4, 2017, the Lancaster County SWAT team executed a search warrant at the home that Roberts and his brother shared. The search warrant was for clothing that the brother wore during a robbery. As the officers entered the residence, they saw cocaine in plain view. The officers obtained a second search warrant for the drugs. During their search, the officers found two (2) Glock pistols (one under a pillow on the bed and the other in a safe that also contained cash), narcotics and a digital scale from Roberts’ dresser with his identification. Following his arrest, the police heard Roberts’ state “the police got both of my guns”. Also, Roberts’ girlfriend gave a statement that she later retracted claiming ownership of everything in the house. The drugs were tested and determined to be methamphetamine and cocaine.
Ms. Lydon stated the maximum penalty for these charges is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lancaster County Sheriff's Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Camden Resident Enters Guilty Plea in Federal Court for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Darrin Paul George, age 30, of Camden, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony, a violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(a)(1), 924(a)(2) and 924(e). United States District Cameron McGowan Currie of Columbia accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence was presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 2, 2017, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was operating a traffic safety check point in Bishopville when Deputies saw George throw something out of his car as he approached the checkpoint. Further investigation revealed that George had thrown a loaded pistol out of his car. George is prohibited from possessing firearms because he was convict for Armed Robbery in 2008 and Distribution of Cocaine in 2010 and 2011.
U.S. Attorney Lydon stated the maximum penalty for Felon in Possession of a Firearm is imprisonment for a minimum of 15 years up to life imprisonment, supervised release of 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
This case was investigated by Agents of the Lee County Sherriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney William E Day, II of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.
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Thomas Lawton Evans Jr. Enters Guilty Plea in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Thomas Lawton Evans Jr., 37, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, pled guilty to all counts contained in a three count federal indictment. Count One charged Kidnapping Involving a Person Under the Age of 18, a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(a)(1) and (g), punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and up to life. Count Two charged Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a), punishable by a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to life. Count Three charged Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Person under the age of Twelve, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c), punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a maximum sentence of life. United States District Court Judge David Norton will sentence Evans at a later date.
Facts presented at Evans’ guilty plea hearing established that Evans followed a family into their Johns Island, South Carolina, home on February 13, 2018 and brutally assaulted and injured an adult resident and kidnapped her four-year-old daughter. Evans then took the child to Alabama, where the child was recovered by the Riverside Police Department. Evans was arrested later the same day in Jackson, Mississippi, after a police pursuit.
The convictions are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case.
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Gaffney Man Sentenced on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Steven Ray Garner, age 44, of Gaffney, was sentenced in federal court to 60 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow. Garner previously pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks imposed the sentence.
Evidence presented in court established that on January 22, 2017 a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol and noticed Garner and another individual sitting in a vehicle parked in front of a vacant house. The deputy recognized the person in the passenger seat as someone with outstanding warrants and took that individual into custody.
The deputy then patted down Garner to check him for weapons. During that search, the deputy located a loaded Colt .357 magnum in Garner’s waistband. A check of NCIC revealed that the gun had been reported stolen out of Spartanburg County. Garner was also found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine.
Further NCIC check revealed that Garner had been previously convicted of second degree burglary (violent) in 2002 and manufacturing methamphetamine in 2012 and was thus prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Sloan Ellis of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
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Newberry Felon Sentenced to 327 Months Imprisonment for Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Distribution of Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Javis Royale Wise, age 29, of Newberry, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Wise to 327 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea and sentencing hearings established that in the Spring of 2016, Wise made numerous sales of crack cocaine from his residence in Newberry, South Carolina. Newberry Police Department, Newberry Sheriff’s Office, and SLED executed a search warrant at the home in July of 2016. Law enforcement recovered crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, over 50 rounds of ammunition, and a stolen, loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun. Wise had numerous prior convictions including Robbery, Assault Upon an Employee of a Correctional Facility, Assault and Battery First Degree, Assault and Battery Second Degree, Distribution of Crack Cocaine, Resisting Arrest, and Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon.
The case was investigated by ATF, the Newberry Police Department, Newberry Sheriff’s Office, and SLED. Assistant United States Attorneys Jamie Lea Schoen prosecuted to case.
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Justice Department Announces Fourth Settlement Protecting U.S. Workers from DiscriminationRead the Press Release
NOTE: The settlement agreement can be found here.
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today reached a settlement agreement with Palmetto Beach Hospitality LLC (Palmetto), a company that provides housekeeping services to hotels in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. The agreement resolves the Department’s investigation into whether Palmetto unlawfully denied employment to qualified and available U.S. workers because it preferred to hire temporary foreign workers with H-2B visas. It is the fourth settlement under the Civil Rights Division’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement actions against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of temporary visa workers.
The Department’s investigation determined that Palmetto failed to consider applications from qualified U.S. workers for its housekeeper positions, even though employers are required to recruit and hire available and qualified U.S. workers before they receive permission to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2B visa program. After ignoring applications from U.S. workers, Palmetto represented to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that it could not find qualified U.S. workers and obtained authorization to employ temporary visa workers.
“The Department of Justice will fight to ensure that U.S. workers are not denied jobs because an employer has a discriminatory preference for hiring temporary visa workers,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. “I commend Palmetto for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, and its agreement to engage in domestic recruitment efforts far surpassing the minimal recruiting requirements to participate in the H-2B visa worker program.”
Failing to consider or hire qualified U.S. workers based on their citizenship status violates the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), regardless of whether an employer has complied with other rules governing the use of temporary employment-based visa programs.
Under the settlement, Palmetto must engage in several types of enhanced recruiting and job advertising efforts to attract qualified U.S. workers, far beyond those required by the H-2B visa rules. Palmetto also must set aside $35,000 to pay any wages lost by U.S. workers whose applications it improperly rejected or ignored, pay $42,000 in civil penalties to the United States, and be subject to departmental monitoring.
Under the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, the Civil Rights Division has opened dozens of investigations, filed one lawsuit, and reached settlement agreements with four employers. Since the Initiative’s inception, employers have agreed to pay or have distributed over $320,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers. The Division has also increased its collaboration with other federal agencies, including a new formalized partnership with DOL to combat discrimination and abuse by employers using foreign visa workers.
The Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; and retaliation and intimidation.
More information on how employers can avoid unlawful citizenship status discrimination is available here. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email [email protected]; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe to GovDelivery to receive updates from IER.
Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to: discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; discrimination in the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify) based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin; or retaliation can file a charge or contact IER’s worker hotline for assistance.
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Greenville Man Sentenced on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Travis Lamond Simpson, age 36, of Greenville, was sentenced in federal court to 70 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release to follow. Simpson previously pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain imposed the sentence.
Evidence presented in court established that on September 21, 2017, an officer with the Greenville Police Department was patrolling the area of 207 Shaw Street near Rutherford Road and Pete Hollis Boulevard, when the officer detected the odor of marijuana emanating from several individuals loitering on the sidewalk. After stopping to investigate, Simpson told the officer that he had a small amount of cocaine base in his pocket. Other officers soon arrived, and Simpson was arrested without incident on the state charge of possession of cocaine base. While clearing the area, the officers then located a loaded Phoenix Arms .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol in Simpson’s nearby vicinity. Simpson initially denied ownership of the pistol; however, diligent investigative work days later uncovered jail phone calls between Simpson and a third party, in which Simpson indicated ownership of the firearm.
Simpson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior state and federal convictions. Simpson has prior state convictions for possession of cocaine base (2002) and breaking into a motor vehicle (two counts, 2003). Simpson also has a prior federal conviction for use or carry of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (2006).
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenville Police Department and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire – a joint federal, state, and local initiative focused on aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Special Assistant United States Attorney Justin Holloway with the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Fifth Circuit Solicitor and Director of Communications Indicted for FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that Daniel Edward Johnson, age 47, Fifth Circuit Solicitor a resident of Blythewood, and Nicole Halliett Holland, age 49, Director of Communications a resident of Columbia, were charged in a 26-count Indictment by a Grand Jury in Columbia for Wire Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1343; Mail Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1341; Conspiracy to Commit Wire & Mail Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349; and Theft of Federal Funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 666.
Ms. Lydon stated the penalty faced by the Defendants for violations of Title 18, United States Code, §§ 1341, 1343, and 1349 is imprisonment not exceeding twenty years, with a potential fine up to $250,000. The penalty faced by the Defendants for a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 666 is imprisonment not exceeding ten years, with a potential fine up to $250,000.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Winston D. Holliday, Jr., Alyssa L. Richardson, and William C. Lewis of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.
A copy of the Indictment is attached to this email.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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163110130790.pdfRock Hill Man Sentenced to 150 Months on Federal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Zadgery Collins McNeil, age 32, of Rock Hill, was sentenced in federal court to a total of 150 months imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release. McNeil plead guilty earlier this year to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 851. Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia imposed the sentence, which consisted of 100 months imprisonment on the firearm charge and a consecutive 50 months imprisonment on the marijuana charge.
Evidence presented in court established that at approximately 1:25 pm on December 6, 2016, Rock Hill Police Department received numerous 911 calls regarding a shooting on Jones Avenue, at McNeil’s residence. Investigation revealed that individuals were shooting at McNeil, when he went around the corner of the house and came back with a handgun. Thereafter, the other individuals fled from the scene in an SUV and McNeil fled in his car. An officer responding to the shooting encountered McNeil’s car at the intersection of South Stonewall Street and Arch Drive. The officer observed McNeil step out of his car, fire a handgun several times at an SUV that was approaching, and then speed away. Officers attempted a traffic stop and McNeil pulled into the driveway of a residence. McNeil bailed from his car, which then crashed into the porch of the house. A footchase ensued during which McNeil threw down the handgun. McNeil ran into a nearby home and the residents, who had children in the home, alerted law enforcement. McNeil was placed under arrest a short time later and officers recovered $550 and the discarded loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun. A search of McNeil’s vehicle revealed approximately 348 grams of marijuana and a spent shell casing along with other items linked to McNeil.
McNeil is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior separate South Carolina state convictions for possession of crack cocaine (2006), assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (2007), possession with intent to distribute marijuana (2012), possession with intent to distribute marijuana near a park (2014), and distribution of marijuana 2nd offense (2014). At the time of the instant offense, McNeil was on state probation for a North Carolina conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon (2014).
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Rock Hill Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project CeaseFire is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 15 Years on Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Marcus Terrelle Marsh, age 34, of Columbia, was sentenced in federal court to 180 months imprisonment (15 years) with 3 years of supervised release to follow. Marsh plead guilty earlier this year to felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, imposed the sentence after determining that Marsh was an armed career criminal based upon his extensive prior record.
Evidence presented in court established that on July 25, 2017, at approximately 5:50 pm, an officer with the Benedict College Police Department was on patrol when he observed a black male, later identified as Marsh, walking on the sidewalk of the 2600 block of Elmwood Avenue in front of the Benedict College Business Development Center, approaching Two Notch Road. The officer observed Marsh, who was clad in jean shorts and a white t-shirt, wearing a GPS ankle monitor on his lower leg and noticed what appeared to be a handgun on Marsh’s right hip area underneath the t-shirt. After the officer pulled his car around, Marsh turned and walked in the opposite direction, stopping on the porch of a nearby home[1]. When approached by the officer, Marsh refused a patdown and ran. As Marsh began to flee, the officer’s body cam footage showed the firearm on Marsh’s right hip area. The officer gave chase and observed Marsh discard the firearm. Marsh was apprehended and the firearm was recovered. Marsh provided the officer with his brother’s name, but his identity was later discovered.
Marsh is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions. Marsh has prior state convictions for unlawful carrying of a weapon, possession of crack cocaine, resisting arrest/assault on an officer while resisting arrest, failure to stop for blue light and siren (3 separate convictions), possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine (2 separate convictions), possession with intent to distribute marijuana within the proximity of a park, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense (2 separate convictions), trafficking crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine within proximity of a park, and possession with intent to distribute ecstacy 2nd offense.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Benedict College Police Department and was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local initiative focused upon aggressively prosecuting firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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[1] The resident later advised officers that they did not know Marsh.
Six Illegal Aliens Guilty in Federal Court of Social Security Number FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that six individuals, illegally in the United States, entered pleas of guilty before District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr., in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The names of the Defendants are as follows:
From Honduras:
Luis Alberto Isaguirre-Cortes
Jose Santos Martinez
Noe De La Cruz Galvez-Munguia
From Guatemala:
Fredin Orlando Cordon-Gonzalez
Julio Cesar Rojas Vasquez
Josue Eduardo Maas-Aparicio
Each Defendant entered a plea of guilty to one count of using a false Social Security number in order to acquire health insurance in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408. Sentencing will occur after the preparation of a Presentence Report by the United States Probation Office. Each Defendant faces a possible sentence of up to five (5) years in prison.
At the guilty plea hearing Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens advised the Court that in the course of a wide ranging investigation the personnel records of the Defendants’ employer were reviewed. During this review it was discovered that the six were working under false Social Security numbers and that using these numbers each had applied for and received health insurance. Stephens declined to go further in to details of the referenced investigation. Stephens further advised the Court that each of the six Defendants were cooperating with the Government concerning their employment and their use of false Social Security numbers.
USA Lydon stated that the case had been investigated by agents from the Department of Labor, Department of Transportation, and ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and she commended all of them for their hard work and close cooperation and support for each other.
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Columbia Man Sentenced on Heroin and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated that Abdullah Jabbar Aquil, a/k/a “Wap,” age 42, of Columbia, was sentenced in federal court to 92 months’ imprisonment to be followed by 6 years of supervised release. Aquil plead guilty in January to possession with intent to distribute heroin and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 851 and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, imposed the sentence and ordered that it run consecutive to a 24 months’ imprisonment sentence Aquil is currently serving.
Evidence presented in court established on February 3, 2017, after making several controlled buys of heroin from Aquil, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department executed a state search warrant upon one of Aquil’s residences. Inside they found a Glock .40 caliber firearm, ammunition, and digital scales. A further search of Aquil’s vehicle revealed a little over 9 grams of heroin.
Aquil is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions and a prior federal conviction. Aquil has prior state convictions for possession of cocaine, possession of pistol by person under 21 years of age, carrying pistol unlawfully (two separate counts), distribution of cocaine, criminal domestic violence, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, possession of stolen pistol, and possession of crack cocaine 2nd offense. At the time of the incident, Aquil was on federal supervised release for a 2009 federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, for which he previously served 70 months’ imprisonment. Aquil’s federal supervised release was revoked in May 2017, and he is currently serving 24 months’ term of imprisonment for that revocation. Today’s sentence will run consecutive to that term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases in an effort to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Project CeaseFire is South Carolina’s implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a crime reduction strategy originally launched in 2001. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority and reinstituted PSN nationwide. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Spartanburg Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ------ United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Tory Ray Watkins, age 40, of Spartanburg, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson for distribution of controlled substances. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Watkins to 210 months in federal prison followed by 6 years supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing and sentencing hearing established that on September 24, 2016, Spartanburg Police officers were on routine patrol when they observed Tory Watkins driving a white van. Officers confirmed that Watkins had a suspended driver’s license, then initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. Watkins was detained and gave consent to search his person. Officers found a small plastic baggie in his right change pocket containing a tan substance. This substance was submitted to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab for analysis. This was determined to be .43 grams of fentanyl.
On May 26, 2017, Investigators with the Spartanburg Police Department met with a confidential, reliable, informant, to discuss the purchase of U-47700, also commonly referred to as “pink”, from Watkins. The informant, acting under the direction of law enforcement, placed a consensual recorded telephone call to Watkins. Watkins instructed the informant during the phone call to meet at a location in Spartanburg. The informant next began travelling to the aforementioned meet location and was contacted by Watkins telephonically who informed the informant that they would need to travel with Watkins to another location in Spartanburg in order to complete the purchase of “pink”. After arrival at the other location, the informant gave Watkins the recorded US currency and Watkins walked to an unknown apartment. A short while later, Watkins was observed by members of law enforcement walking back to and entering the informant’s vehicle. Watkins provided the informant with the purchased product once inside the vehicle. The informant was next followed to a pre-determined location where they turned over a quantity of substance believed to be U-47700 or “pink” to Spartanburg Police Department. The substance purchased from Watkins was submitted to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) for further testing and chemical analysis. The SCSO lab report indicated that Ketamine, Tramadol, and Fentanyl were all discovered in the substance that Watkins sold to the informant.
On June 29, 2017, investigators with the SCSO met with an informant working at the direction of the SCSO to make a controlled purchase of heroin from a subject known to the informant as “Chewy.” The informant was searched both before and after the controlled purchase with negative results. The informant was equipped with a recording device and provided with US Currency to facilitate the purchase. The buy took place at a restaurant parking lot on Reidville Road in Spartanburg. The informant returned with a clear plastic bag containing a brown powder substance. The informant was shown a photo of Watkins and confirmed that Watkins was the individual from which the informant made the controlled purchase. The powder was tested by the SCSO Crime lab and was confirmed to be .36 grams of heroin.
On June 29, 2017, deputies with the SCSO received a call about an unconscious individual in a roadway. The person died as a result of a drug overdose. The boyfriend of the individual told deputies that he knew the heroin the individual ingested prior to their death came from Watkins.
The case was investigated by agents of the Spartanburg Police Department and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
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