District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lancaster County Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Firearms and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jimmy Hunter, age 48, of Lancaster County, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for felon in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, sentenced Hunter to 78 months incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on September 1, 2017, the Lancaster County Drug Task Force was following up on a drug overdose investigation that involved Hunter. Officers went to Hunter’s residence located in Lancaster to speak to him concerning the overdose. After knocking on the door several times, a guest of Hunter opened the door and walked onto the front porch. As she opened the door, an investigator smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence. The guest was interviewed about the overdose on the porch of the residence. After investigators finished speaking to the guest, she was advised that officers had detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the residence. She was asked if anyone else was at the residence, and she stated that it was Hunter’s residence and that he was still next door. Officers then obtained a search warrant for the residence.
When the officers entered the residence, several illegal items were immediately located out in the open on the master bedroom bed such as marijuana, scales, and crystal methamphetamine in a clear plastic bag and on a tray. A thorough search also revealed crystal methamphetamine, syringes, and spoons throughout the residence. These items were located in almost every room of the residence to include the living room desk, under the bar, the bathroom, the master bedroom dresser as well as on the master bedroom bed. The officers also located several firearms and ammunition in an open gun safe located in the master bedroom. When officers searched the bedroom closet, they observed several cases of ammunition, a ballistic vest, holsters, and several ammunition cans of firearm magazines.
Officers recovered the following firearms: an Anderson model AM15, .223 caliber rifle, a Mossberg (Companhia Brasiliera) model 702 Plinkster, .22 caliber rifle, a Romarm/Cugir model M-10, 7.62 caliber rifle, a Mossberg Maverick model 88, 12 gauge shotgun, a Springfield/Stevens 12 gauge shotgun, and a Gerstenberger U. Eberwein .32 caliber revolver. At least 3300 rounds of ammunition were found in the gun safe and the master bedroom closet.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lancaster County Sheriff's Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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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Joint Investigation Leads to the Arrest of Six Defendants Involved in Significant Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested six defendants who are charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl in the midlands of South Carolina. Based on the investigation, agents seized over sixteen pounds of methamphetamine, nine pounds of heroin, and three pounds of fentanyl.
The defendants named in the criminal complaint are Endira Torres, Devon Tremain Thomas, Matias Castro Hernandez, Leslie Geraldene Gutierrez, Alan Alberto Maldonado-Dominguez, and Luis Antonio Cruz-Gonzales. All defendants appeared this week for bond hearings at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia, South Carolina, before the Honorable Shiva V. Hodges, United States Magistrate Judge, and remain in federal custody.
Multiple law enforcement agencies participated in this case, including the DEA Columbia Provisional Task Force, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
This case represents another example of the fine work being done by Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies working together in South Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this case are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Goose Creek Woman Sentenced for Receiving KickbacksRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Barbara Powell, age 59, of Charleston, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for bribery of a public employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 201. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Powell to 6 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a $12,500 fine.
The investigation in this case proved the existence of public corruption in construction contracts at the Joint Base in Charleston (JBC). JBC was formed in 2010 when the Naval Weapons Station and the Charleston Air Force base merged. As a large and aging military base, JBC hires private companies on a regular basis to renovate and/or build facilities.
Barbara Powell was a government-contracting officer at JBC, and her duties included awarding and administering construction contracts to private companies for the federal government. From 2011 until 2015, Powell solicited and received dozens of bribes from subcontractors at JBC. The value of the bribes exceeded $15,000. In return for these bribes, Powell steered projects to some subcontractors to the detriment of other subcontractors, and she forwarded the bid proposals of some subcontractors to other subcontractors that paid her bribes. As a contracting officer for the federal government, it was illegal for Powell to provide confidential pricing information to anyone outside the government.
The case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Goose Creek Man Sentenced for Receiving KickbacksRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Joseph Hamrick, age 68, of Goose Creek, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for receiving kickbacks involving federal contracts, in violation of 41 U.S.C. § 8702. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Hamrick to 12 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and a $50,000 fine.
The investigation in this case proved the existence of public corruption in construction contracts at the Joint Base in Charleston (JBC). JBC was formed in 2010 when the Naval Weapons Station and the Charleston Air Force base merged. As a large and aging military base, JBC hires private companies on a regular basis to renovate and/or build facilities.
Joseph Hamrick was a quality control officer for Chugach, Inc., which was the prime contractor at JBC from 2007 through 2014. Later in the scheme, Hamrick served in the same position at Aspen Construction, another contractor at JBC.
Beginning in 2011, Hamrick demanded that subcontractors pay him kickbacks to approve their work at JBC. As a quality control officer for a prime contractor, Hamrick had the authority to approve or disapprove a subcontractor’s work at JBC and to slow the payments to subcontractors. Hamrick’s position gave him power over subcontractors, which he used to solicit kickbacks.
From 2011 until 2015, Hamrick solicited and received more than 40 kickbacks at JBC. The value of the kickbacks exceeded $40,000. In addition to these kickbacks, Hamrick received hundreds of free lunches and other gifts provided by subcontractors over which he had authority. These kickbacks related to federal contracts at JBC. In return for these kickbacks, Hamrick steered subcontracting jobs at JBC to various subcontractors.
The case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Greenville Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Dustin Gregory Martin, age 47, of Greenville, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). United States District Judge Michelle Childs imposed a sentence of 115 months followed by three years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 5, 2017, Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a motel room on Augusta Road in reference to locating a wanted person. Martin was in the room when the Deputies arrived and a Glock .9mm pistol was seized from under the pillow on the bed in the room.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. This case is part of the Real Time initiative. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
The Real Time initiative is part of South Carolina’s continued application 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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Atlanta Man Sentenced in Federal Court on Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Fareed Abdul Jabar, age 34, of Atlanta, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g). United States District Judge Michelle Childs imposed a sentence of 46 months followed by three years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 29, 2017, a Greenville County Sheriff’s Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a car driven by Jabar. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol and marijuana.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. This case is part of the Real Time initiative. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
The Real Time Initiative is part of South Carolina’s continued application 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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Alien Located in Columbia Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Marcial Esteban-Vasquez , age 39, of Mexico, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). United States District Judge 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 presented at the change of plea hearing established that Esteban was encountered by ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations Deportation Officers on December 13, 2017 while they were assisting DEA agents in an investigation concerning Esteban. The investigation revealed that Esteban is a citizen of Mexico who had been deported three times pursuant to an order of removal. U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for up to 20 years, a term of supervised release of not more than three years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by officers of the ICE-Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Wellford Woman Sentenced for Forging PrescriptionsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Felicia L. Prysock, age 41, of Wellford, South Carolina, was sentenced to 24 months and one day in prison for Aggravated Identity Theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1028A; and Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, § 843(a)(3). Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten presided at the hearing and also ordered restitution to Medicaid of $1,132.12.
Evidence presented at the change of plea established that Prysock filled ten different prescriptions forged in the names of a doctor and her children and had Medicaid pay for them. The conduct occurred between July 2016 and April 2017. The investigation revealed that these prescriptions were for Schedule II opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Adderall.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, along with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Owner of Basketball Academy Pleads Guilty to Visa FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael A. Rawson, age 48, of the United Kingdom, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Senior United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Rawson and other associates made false statements to the United States in an effort to get an L1 Visa, which allows for intra-company transfers if certain criteria are met, to aid in the establishment of a for-profit basketball academy in the United States: 22ft Basketball Academy. At one time 22ft Basketball Academy had relationships with Shannon Forrest Christian School and Anderson Christian School. A key false statement was that 22ft Dutch, a related entity, was operational in Europe and would remain so after Rawson immigrated to the United States to work with 22ft US. In truth, 22ft Dutch had no operational office and ceased to do business while Rawson was in the United States. Thus, there could be no legitimate intra-company transfer.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Rawson can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, supervised release of 3 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents with the ICE – Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Area Man Sentenced for Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Desmond Lamar Williams was sentenced for Preparation of False Tax Returns, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, § 7206(2). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, sentenced Williams to 24 months in jail after a sentencing hearing.
Facts presented in court established that Williams was an active duty member of the United States Army for many years, and that for the tax years 2011-2014, he also worked as a tax preparer. An investigation by the Internal Revenue Service revealed that many of the returns Williams prepared contained false information. As a result of Williams’ fraudulent actions, the government suffered a loss of $712,728.00.
The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney John C. Potterfield, of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
Greenville County Resident Indicted for Assaulting a Federal Employee. Kenneth David Sipple, age 58, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina, was charged in a one count indictment with assaulting a federal employee, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111. The maximum penalty Sipple could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 20 years. The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protective Service, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.
Two Aliens Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States. Jorge Luis Silva-Aguiar, age 44, and Jose Pineda-Flores, age 47, were each charged in separate indictments with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326. The maximum penalty each could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment up to 10 years depending on their record. The cases were investigated by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville Office.
Individual Charged with False Claim to be a US Citizen. Fermin Jimenez-Virelas, age 38, was charged in a two count indictment with false claim to be a United States citizen, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 911, and false use of a social security number, a violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B). The maximum penalty he could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 5 years. The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville Office.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Georgia Prisoner Pleads Guilty to Phone ScamRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jay Byron Wright, age 42, of the Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1349. Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the plea and will sentence Wright at a later date.
Evidence presented at the hearing established that Jay Byron Wright and other prisoners called citizens of Oregon using a cell phone smuggled into their prison, told the Oregonians they were in contempt of court for not showing up for jury duty, and that they owed the court money. The Oregonians could pay this money by obtaining Money Pak Green Dot cards for the specified value and providing the numbers on the cards to the callers. The numbers gave the callers access to the value on the card, which could then be transferred onto other Green Dot cards. At least three people in Oregon fell for this scam, and they transferred values slightly less than $1,000 to cards used by various co-conspirators in South Carolina.
The maximum penalty faced by Wright is imprisonment for twenty years, with a potential fine up to $250,000.
The Deschutes County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Office and SLED (South Carolina) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Myrtle Beach Man Charged in Federal Indictment for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Leroy Anthony Griffin, age 30, of Myrtle Beach, was charged in a single-count indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. Griffin faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tactical Diversion Squad and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, assisted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration Florence Office, and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit. 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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Moncks Corner Man Sentenced to 210 months for Possession of Child Pornography Involving Prepubescent MinorsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Kenneth Wayne Richardson, age 36, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Possession of Child Pornography involving Prepubescent Minors, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B). United States District Judge David C. Norton, of Charleston, sentenced Richardson to 210 months (17.5 years), $8,500 restitution, and supervised release for life.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on two different occasions Richardson posted web-links containing child pornography videos to internet chat rooms. Law enforcement agents traced the postings to internet protocol (IP) addresses associated with Richardson. Agents executed a search warrant at Richardson’s residence and seized a computer tablet belonging to Richardson that contained multiple images of child pornography. Richardson admitted that he possessed child pornography, including on his internet “cloud” account. He also admitted to posting web-links to chat rooms. Agents also executed a search warrant on Richardson’s internet “cloud” account and discovered over 4,000 images and 3,000 videos containing child pornography. These images and videos included adults engaged in sexual acts with prepubescent minors as well as sadistic and masochistic conduct.
The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the execution of the residential search warrant. Assistant United States Attorney Dean H. Secor of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
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Anderson County Man Guilty of Making False Statements in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) InvestigationRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Jeffery Michael Patterson entered a plea of guilty on charges of making a false statement to federal agents. Patterson faces a maximum sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Patterson will be sentenced by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain after the completion of a presentence investigation.
The facts presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Patterson was employed at a local FAA approved airplane repair and service facility. During the course of a routine evaluation of employees, Patterson represented that he had FAA certifications to do certain work on airplanes. The repair facility tried to verify this information through the FAA and was advised that Patterson held none of the certifications that he claimed to have. The matter was then referred to the Inspector General (IG) of the Federal Department of Transportation for investigation. IG Special Agents interviewed Patterson, and he made false statements to them to include the false statement that he had the FAA certifications but that they were under other names because his name had been changed numerous times by the Treasury department to protect his family from drug dealers who had been investigated by his father while working as a drug enforcement officer. At the guilty plea hearing, Patterson admitted that this story was bogus.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville Office.
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Leader of Beaufort Gun and Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More than Twenty Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Brandon Singleton, age 34, of Seabrook, South Carolina, to 248 months in federal prison, without the possibility of parole, in federal court in Charleston. Singleton and his five co-defendants were charged in a twenty-two count indictment involving cocaine and gun trafficking activities in the Beaufort, South Carolina area. In July 2017, Singleton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses.
During the course of the investigation, state and federal agents made undercover buys of nine firearms and more than 700 grams of cocaine from Singleton and his co-defendants. As the leader of the organization, Singleton arranged and directed all of the undercover purchases. In total, law enforcement seized 14 firearms from Singleton and his codefendants throughout the investigation, including stolen firearms, semi-automatic firearms, and high capacity magazines.
Singleton’s conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and investigators with the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. In response to the sentence, U.S. Attorney Drake stated, “ We work best when we work together. Many thanks to the Beaufort County Sheriff and to ATF. Your great work enabled us to make the case and make South Carolina safer.” ATF Resident Agent in Charge Scott Perala stated, “This significant sentence is the result of the outstanding partnership between ATF and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office working together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to remove the most violent offenders involved in the criminal use of firearms and drug trafficking activities from the community.” Assistant United States Attorney Emily Limehouse and Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson prosecuted the case.
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Greater Upstate Reentry Job Fair & Expo to Help People with Criminal Records to Find JobsRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina – The United States Attorney’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; SC Works; SC Vocational Rehabilitation; SC Department of Employment and Workforce; 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 Second Annual Greater Upstate Reentry Job Fair & Expo is being held Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the McAlister Square, located at 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC.
This fair, which is especially intended as a resource for Upstate residents, is part of a series of fairs, including Florence, the Midlands, and the Lowcountry, held annually. The partner organizations believe that a tailored expo for people with a criminal background will provide some focused help for the particular obstacles individuals face after returning home.“Studies have demonstrated the essential role a job plays in the success of individuals returning from prison. Our state partners have tremendous expertise in hosting resource fairs and it is our privilege to partner with them in developing job fairs specifically for individuals with a criminal background,” said U.S. Attorney Beth Drake.
The fair and expo will include area employers friendly to hiring individuals with a criminal background and other organizations who participate with, and provide resources for, returning citizens. Any interested employers or vendors should inquire with Diana Goldwire at (864) 315-9751 or [email protected].
Professional dress is required. As always, the event will feature workshops on how to seek expungements and pardons of prior criminal convictions.
“We are excited to connect South Carolinians to job opportunities. Where formerly incarcerated South Carolinians have stable jobs and lives, they are less likely to get in trouble with the law. Employment is crime prevention and a part of community health, vitality and safety,” said USA Drake.
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North Charleston Man Sentenced on Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Sinclair Gibbs, age 31, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Gibbs to 57 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on March 22, 2016, the North Charleston Police Department went to Gibbs’ residence to serve an arrest warrant on him. Inside Gibb’s residence, officers found a loaded .45 caliber handgun, along with cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. Gibbs’ prior record includes multiple felony drug convictions
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Federal Jury Finds Greenville Man Guilty in Firearms TrialRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that a jury returned a guilty verdict following a two-day jury trial in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, finding Harvest Maurice Sloan, age 38, of Greenville, guilty of possession by a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The trial wrapped up yesterday afternoon and was held before United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia. Judge Lewis will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
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.
The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Forensic Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen prosecuted the case.
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Midlands Area Man Found Liable for $51 Million in Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that a federal jury found Floyd Calhoun “Cal” Dent, III, of Lexington, South Carolina, and his two co-conspirators liable for defrauding the federal healthcare programs Medicare and Tricare of over $51 million. The unanimous verdict was handed down on January 31, 2018, by a federal jury in Charleston, South Carolina.
The United States alleged that Mr. Dent, along with his co-conspirators, paid illegal kickbacks to physicians across the country in order to get them to order medically unnecessary blood tests from Health Diagnostics Laboratory, Inc. (“HDL”) of Richmond, Virginia, and laboratory Singulex, Inc. of Alameda, California, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act.
“This jury verdict sends a strong message of accountability to those who would seek to take advantage of federal health care programs,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Crick. “The District of South Carolina will continue to battle against Medicare and Tricare fraud.”
Over the course of the two week trial, the United States presented evidence that the defendants Cal Dent, Robert Bradford “Brad” Johnson of Hanceville, Alabama, and LaTonya “Tonya” Mallory of Richmond, Virginia, conspired to pay kickbacks to induce physicians to refer patients to HDL and Singulex. The defendants arranged for “process and handling fees” of $17 to be paid to the physicians per referral and for the routine waiving of patient co-pays and deductibles. As a result of those kickbacks, physicians referred patients’ blood samples to HDL and Singulex for medically unnecessary blood tests. HDL and Singulex then submitted fraudulent claims to federal health care programs Medicare and Tricare for payment for the medically unnecessary tests.
The verdict illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential health care fraud, waste, and abuse can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 900-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This case was investigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Leventis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina; the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia; Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; the FBI; the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General; and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
The civil lawsuit was filed in the District of South Carolina and is captioned United States of America et al v. BlueWave Healthcare Consultants Inc., 9:14-cv-00230-RMG.
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Federal Gun Defendant Sentenced to 72 MonthsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Frank “Kilo” Odom, age 30, of North Charleston, South Carolina, to 72 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Odom was convicted at trial earlier this year in federal court in Charleston on charges of felon in possession of a firearm and of selling cocaine to an undercover ATF agent. The investigation, which began in 2015, was launched to investigate gun and drug-trafficking activities in the Charleston-metropolitan area. During this investigation, agents made undercover buys from Odom, to include the purchase of cocaine and a .40 caliber pistol.
Ms. Drake commended the agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work on this case. Assistant United States Attorney Sean Kittrell prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as 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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Columbia Man Pleads to Federal Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Cedric K. Reddick, age 24, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to conspiracy to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee and to being a felon in possession of a firearm, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371, 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). United States District Judge Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court established on August 5, 2016, Tony’s Guns and Police Supplies, a federal firearms licensee, in Sumter, was burglarized and 69 handguns stolen. The investigation revealed similarities between that burglary and other burglaries of liquor stores in several counties. Through the investigation, law enforcement was able to identify Reddick as one of the suspects after a DNA match linked him to a burglary of one of the liquor stores. Additionally, a search warrant at Reddick’s apartment revealed a 9mm handgun stolen during the burglary of Tony’s Guns and Police Supplies. Reddick’s co-defendant’s case is still pending in federal court and he remains innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
Reddick is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon a prior state conviction for burglary 2nd degree and a prior New Jersey federal conviction for transportation of stolen firearms. At the time of this incident, Reddick was on federal supervised release after serving time on the 2013 federal conviction.
Reddick faces a maximum of 5 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release on the conspiracy charge. On the felon in possession of a firearm charge, Reddick faces a maximum of 10 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), the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Clinton Police Department, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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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Augusta Doctor Pleads Guilty to Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Fred Gilliard, a/k/a “Dr. Gilliard,” age 76, of Augusta, Georgia, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to drug distribution, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed a presentence report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Following the guilty plea, United States Magistrate Judge Paige Jones Gossett denied Gilliard a bond, ordering he be detained pending sentencing.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that through the investigation into the Travelers of Murphy Village, located in North Augusta, the FBI and US Marshals Service learned that a doctor in the area was providing Travelers prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances that were then being sold throughout Murphy Village. Investigative efforts identified the defendant, Dr. Gilliard, as the doctor. The defendant’s background revealed two federal criminal convictions, once for illegal distribution of drugs – as a result of that conviction the defendant had an agreement with the DEA about the proper distribution of drugs. Law enforcement interviews with patients revealed that the defendant prescribed them various types of drugs, often accompanied with a sexual proposition. Using one cooperating witness to buy opioids from a source of pills, law enforcement then approached the person selling opioids. The pill seller agreed to cooperate and explained that Dr. Gilliard would proposition her for sexual favors in exchange for prescriptions and that Dr. Gilliard would contact her at all hours of the night. A review of Dr. Gilliard’s phone records showed an abnormal pattern of contacting his female patients. The cooperating individual selling the pills began to record telephone calls with Dr. Gilliard. In the recordings, Dr. Gilliard requested sexual favors from the cooperating witness in exchange for prescriptions. On June 14, 2017, the cooperating seller of pills recorded a meeting with Dr. Gilliard at a restaurant off exit 5 in South Carolina. Dr. Gilliard recounted that he knew that the cooperator’s mother had sold the last set of pills that Dr. Gilliard had prescribed to the mother. Dr. Gilliard further discussed providing the witness with a prescription only if the cooperating witness would have sex with him and described how he now had to go back to his office to make up notes to justify the prescription – the prescription was for hydrocodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for drug distribution is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $500,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.
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West Columbia Man Pleads to Federal Drug ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Harry Lee Goodwin, age 44, of West Columbia, pled guilty today in federal court to possessing heroin and “crack” cocaine with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court established that in April 2017, a confidential informant, acting under the supervision and direction of West Columbia Police Department agents, made three controlled buys of heroin from Mr. Goodwin at his home on Augusta Street.
As a result of the controlled buys, agents executed a search warrant at the home on April 13, 2017. Agents seized approximately $1500 in cash, including a $20 bill used in one of the earlier controlled purchases. Agents also recovered eight (8) foil packages containing heroin, as well as a small amount of “crack” cocaine, digital scales, and other drug paraphernalia.
Goodwin admitted to agents that he sold approximately 30 – 40 bags of heroin each day, between 6 a.m. and noon, and made between $1200- $1500 each day. After noon, he then went to Columbia to continue selling drugs from another location.
Goodwin faces a maximum of 20 years, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the West Columbia Police Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Nancy C. Wicker of the Columbia office handled the case.
Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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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United States Attorney's Office Provides Speaker at ADA Workshop for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing CommunityRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the United States Attorney’s Office continued its firm commitment to upholding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The U.S. Attorney’s Office provided the presenter on 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) and the South Carolina Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf (SCRID). 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. SCRID provides local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the profession of signed language interpretation. Lead organizers for the event included Ms. Anita M. Steichen-McDaniel, SCAD’s Executive Director, and Ms. Susie Spainhour, SCRID President. This event was held at the University Center of Greenville on Saturday, January 27, 2018. AUSA Rob Sneed provided an overview of federal disability laws and focused on those aspects of the ADA of great 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.
According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, 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 supports her office’s ongoing support of the DOJ’s Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, which is an initiative that will include 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.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina enforces federal civil rights laws, including the Fair Housing Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Civil remedies under these statutes include monetary penalties, injunctions, civil judgments and more.
To learn more about the ADA and other laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities, log on to www.ada.gov/ta-pubs-pg2.htm or call the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD). The U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Program webpages are located at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/civil-rights.
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Member of Multi-State Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Life in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Antonio Crawley, age 40, was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in federal court in Anderson. The Court also imposed a money judgment against Crawley in the amount of approximately $231,000.
The evidence at trial showed that Crawley participated in a drug conspiracy that spanned 13 years, beginning in 2003. Members of the conspiracy operated in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana. Testimony from numerous witnesses established that during the course of the conspiracy, members of the conspiracy distributed in excess of 100 kilograms of cocaine, over 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and in excess of 5 kilograms of crack cocaine.
Crawley operated primarily in Anderson, South Carolina, as a local distributor. The evidence showed that Crawley utilized multiple sources of supply for cocaine from Atlanta, Georgia and the Upstate of South Carolina. Crawley participated in the conspiracy for approximately nine years.
Law enforcement officers utilized remote surveillance, wiretaps, confidential sources and other investigative techniques to ultimately charge in excess of 20 defendants in the case. Crawley and co-defendant Eric Scott were the only defendants who went to trial.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized in excess of $1.5 million in U.S. Currency, over 5 kilograms of cocaine, quantities of marijuana and crack cocaine, and numerous firearms.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Franklin County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, and the Douglas County (GA) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Head of the Narcotics Unit, was the lead prosecutor.
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Illegal Alien Located in Columbia Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Carmen Flores-Bautista, age 39, of Mexico, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Flores-Bautista was encountered by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations agents on January 10, 2017, at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia after she was arrested for Homicide by Child Abuse. An investigation revealed that Flores-Bautista is a citizen of Mexico who had been deported two times pursuant to an order of removal. U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 2 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Illegal Alien Located in Columbia Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-entryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Juan Arturo Ramirez-Rojo, age 39, of Mexico, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Ramirez-Rojo was encountered by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations agents on January 10, 2017, at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia after he was arrested for Trafficking Cocaine. An investigation revealed that Ramirez-Rojo is a citizen of Mexico who had been deported two times pursuant to an order of removal. U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 2 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Sumter Video Poker Operator Pleads Guilty to Gambling and Tax ViolationsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Terry Land, of Sumter, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, to tax evasion, a violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201. Additionally, Land entered a guilty plea to operating a gambling business, in violation of 18 U.S.C § 1955. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after Judge Anderson 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 Land became a target of an investigation due to a public corruption investigation that involved the video poker industry. The investigation revealed that several video poker companies were operating in and around the midlands, with Terry Land being involved with Lucky’s Cyber Center, Gamecock I, and Gamecock II. The investigation into these businesses found that Land had never filed any taxes as related to these businesses, in an interview he confessed. Moreover, the investigation found that Land would deposit money from his gambling business into his roofing business; that he failed to keep records of the money the gambling businesses made, and dealt solely in cash in operating the gambling business. A calculation of the criminal tax owing is $17,264, $36,918, and $4,221 for tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013 – totaling $58,304.
The gambling business operated machines in numerous locations over the period of time from 2011 to 2014. The purveyors of the different locations received a portion of the winnings of the machines. The machines that were operated are in violation of State gambling statute. Mrs. Drake stated the maximum penalty for tax evasion is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $100,000, and the maximum penalty for operating a gambling business is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, IRS-CID, SLED, and the South Carolina Attorney General's Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia Office are prosecuting the case.
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Camden Man Pleads to Federal Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Swan Nicoyis Jackson, age 22, of Camden, plead guilty yesterday in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e) and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(D), and 851. Senior United States District Judge 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 United States Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court established that on morning of June 2, 2017, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department deputies encountered Jackson and another male walking down railroad tracks near a neighborhood that had recent thefts. When deputies asked Jackson and the other male to stop, they both ran. Deputies could smell marijuana emanating from their direction. During the chase, Jackson fell and deputies were able to catch up to him and found a 9mm handgun in his pants pocket, along with marijuana. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen from a residence.
Jackson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior separate state convictions for possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of crack cocaine (2 counts), distribution of crack cocaine near a school, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, and possession of crack cocaine 3rd offense or more.
On the firearm charge, Jackson faces 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. However, if he is deemed an armed career criminal in light of his extensive prior convictions for serious drug offenses, he would face a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, and 5 years of supervised release on the firearm charge. Jackson faces a maximum of 10 years, a fine of $4,000,000 and 4 years of supervised release on the marijuana charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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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United States Attorney Ongoing Commitment to Supporting Service MembersRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that the United States Attorney’s Office demonstrated its commitment to support our nation’s men and women in uniform, including the protections for service members with disabilities under the Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act or the USERRA.
USERRA is a 1994 Federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers. Its origins date back to earlier statutes first enacted in 1940 shortly before the United States entered World War II, when so many Americans were ‘called to the colors’ in defense of our country. USERRA is intended to encourage non-career uniformed service so the United States can enjoy the protection of those Services, staffed by qualified people, while maintaining a balance with the needs of private and public employers who also depend on these same individuals.
On January 24, 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office participated in training in Greenville, South Carolina, for Human Resource (HR) professionals on a wide variety of Federal Disability Employment laws. The event was sponsored by Touch the Future, Greenville CAN, Greenville Technical College, and Greenville chapter of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). This highly successful, well-attended program was held at the Center for Manufacturing Innovation in Greenville.
AUSA Rob Sneed provided training on the USERRA, focusing on the rights of returning service members with disabilities. There were several other presenters, including from the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission (SCHAC), Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Department of Labor Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
The lead organizer for the event was Ms. Sandy Hanebrink, Executive Director of Touch the Future, which is a non-profit organization that provides a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities, as well as those in the public and private sector. AUSA Rob Sneed worked with Ms. Hanebrink in organizing the event and recruiting speakers from the above-mentioned agencies that work in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in civil rights matters.
U.S. Attorney Drake stated that, “Over twenty years ago, in 1994 Congress passed, and the President signed the USERRA, following Desert Storm.” She added that USERRA strengthened and clarified protections for service members from prior federal statutes regarding military leave. According to U.S. Attorney Beth Drake, “Preventative law training events such as this are a win-win situation for both employers and service members in South Carolina. Employers benefit by becoming more knowledgeable about the law. Service members benefit when their companies avoid missteps.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office participation in this event demonstrates the continued commitment from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to the Service Member and Veterans Initiative and civil rights program under federal disability laws.
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Former Chairman of Board of Trustees for South Carolina State Resentenced to 4 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Jonathan Pinson, age 47, of Greenville, South Carolina, was resentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud (Counts 12, 18), Mail Fraud (Counts 25, 26), Wire Fraud (Counts 27-34), Money Laundering (Counts 35-41) and False Statements (Counts 43-46 and 48-50). United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Mr. Pinson to 48 months concurrent on each count of conviction, to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Judge Norton imposed restitution in the amount of $337,843.05.
In June 2014, a jury convicted Mr. Pinson for his involvement in four different schemes. One scheme revolved around the 2011 homecoming concert at SCSU and Mr. Pinson’s efforts to steer the concert promotion contract to his close friend and former SCSU roommate in exchange for a kickback.
Other schemes included Mr. Pinson’s theft of government funds earmarked for the installation of a diaper plant in Marion County. Evidence showed that proceeds from the grant, intended to create jobs in rural Marion County, were instead pocketed by Mr. Pinson and his associates, Lance Wright, Tony Williams, and Phil Mims, each of whom pled guilty to charges related to the fraud.
Mr. Pinson was also convicted of theft of government funds received from a 10 million dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant (commonly known as stimulus money) intended for the development known as the Village at Rivers Edge (VRE).
In the final scheme Mr. Pinson again used his position as Chairman of the Board of SCSU to influence officials at SCSU to purchase land known as “Sportsman’s Retreat”. The seller of the property, Richard Zahn, Pinson’s business partner, testified that he agreed to pay a kickback to Mr. Pinson in the form of a new Porsche Cayenne, an SUV valued at approximately 90 thousand dollars.
During the two and one-half week trial, the Government called twenty witnesses, introduced approximately 200 exhibits and played 118 secretly recorded telephone calls. The calls, authorized by a court ordered wiretap, covered from July 21 to November 20, 2011.
Mr. Pinson was originally sentenced on May 20, 2015. He appealed and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated his conviction on three of the counts of conviction, necessitating a resentencing hearing.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorneys Dewayne Pearson, J.D. Rowell, Jane Taylor, and Nancy Wicker of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned an Indictment against the following:
Murrells Inlet Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation. Jesus Patino-Lopez, age 31, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was charged in a single-count indictment with illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). The maximum penalty Patino-Lopez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.Two South Carolina Men Indicted in Connection with Conspiracy to Import Cocaine. Kemo Jason Smith, age 39, of Camden, South Carolina, and Deandre Adarias Jenkins, age 27, of Conway, South Carolina, were both charged in a multi-count indictment with Conspiracy to Import Cocaine and Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 963. Jenkins was additionally charged with Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, Possession With Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, and Unlawful Use of U.S. Mail, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 843(b). The maximum penalty they could receive for the conspiracy charges is a fine of $5,000,000.00 and/or 40 years imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with assistance by the Horry County Police Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian 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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Conspirator in Multi-State Drug Trafficking Organization to be Sentenced on MondayRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Antonio Crawley, age 39, will be sentenced on Monday, January 29th, at 9:30 A.M. The sentencing hearing will take place in the G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Federal Courthouse, 315 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, South Carolina, before the Honorable Timothy M. Cain, U.S. District Judge.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Department of Public Safety, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Franklin County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, and the Douglas County (GA) Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
This case is assigned to Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, Deputy Criminal Chief for the Narcotics Unit.
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Chapin Woman Sentenced for Bank FraudRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Yvonne Sanchez, age 40, of Chapin, was sentenced to fifteen months in jail for committing Bank Fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 1344. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, of Columbia, also ordered her to pay restitution of $121,461.76 to the victim.
From July 2014 through June 2016, Sanchez was the bookkeeper for EveryWord, Inc., a court reporting business in the Columbia area. Sanchez opened fake accounts in the name of EveryWord at All South Federal Credit Union. As part of her duties, Sanchez was supposed to be depositing checks made payable to EveryWord into the legitimate business account at First Community. Instead, she diverted the checks into her own accounts for her personal use. Overall, Sanchez defrauded EveryWord of $121,461.76.
The United States Department of Homeland Security investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Rock Hill Woman Pleads Guilty to ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that E'Shellah Calhoun, age 52, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to conspiracy, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. United States District 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 the defendant and others agreed to defraud people across the country. The victims were contacted by members of the conspiracy who purported to be officials with the Internal Revenue Service – it appears from the investigation that these co-conspirators were operating out of India. The co-conspirators would threaten criminal prosecution if the victim did not pay a certain amount of money. The victims would be instructed to wire certain sums of money to a bank account in order to satisfy the debt. The investigation found that money was being sent to a South Carolina account operated by the defendant. Bank documents and bank surveillance, show that the defendant and associates would go to various banks and ATMs the day that money was deposited by the victims. The three would withdraw the full amount. The total amount that they received is approximately 50k. Additionally, the co-conspirators other times would demand gift cards; there is surveillance of the defendant redeeming thousands of dollars in gift cards within an hour of the victims transferring the funds.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for conspiracy is imprisonment for 5 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury. Assistant United States Attorney Jim May of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Lexington County Hells Angel Pleads Guilty to Murder for Hire of Ex-WifeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jerry Oliver, age 52, of Lexington County, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Murder for Hire, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958. United States District 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 the defendant was a member of the Hells Angels and it was through this membership that the defendant met a person who was a FBI informant. The informant was working as a driver at the defendant’s place of work. The informant was charged with DUI and worried that he would lose his job as a driver, so the informant approached Oliver for help. Oliver recommended an attorney who Oliver knew and Oliver offered to cover the cost of the attorney if the informant would kill Oliver’s ex-wife. Oliver was involved in a contested family court proceeding where a hearing was scheduled regarding Oliver’s failure to comply with the divorce decree with his ex-wife. Oliver stated that the murder needed to occur before Oliver’s next family court appearance. The informant contacted the FBI who provided recording materials to the informant to record the interactions with Oliver. Numerous recordings of in-person and over the phone discussions of killing the ex-wife were captured. The informant told Oliver numerous times that he was a felon and the two discussed how to make the killing look like a robbery gone bad.
On September 29, the informant again told Oliver that he was a felon and needed help getting a firearm to do the murder. Oliver stated he would put a Glock in a truck on Oliver's property. The informant contacted Oliver who confirmed the weapon was in place for the informant to retrieve. The informant recorded his retrieval of a loaded Glock. The informant and Oliver discussed locating pictures of the ex-wife on Facebook, a recording of Oliver accessing the ex-wife's Facebook was captured – when Oliver told the informant to monitor the ex-wife’s location using Facebook.
Mrs. Drake stated the maximum penalty for Murder for Hire is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000, the defendant agreed to a negotiated maximum 10-year sentence.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Jay Richardson of the Columbia office are prosecuting the case.
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Florence Man Pleads to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Jackie Tyrell Kennedy, age 24, of Florence, plead guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Chief United States District 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 in court established on October 13, 2017, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with officers and deputies from the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department executed a sting operation as part of “Operation Cross County,” targeting human sex trafficking. While investigating sex trafficking at a Columbia motel, agents encountered Kennedy, who fled on foot and dropped a Cobra .380 caliber handgun along the way. Agents were able to locate the firearm and also additional ammunition, which belonged to Kennedy.
Kennedy is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his August 2017 Virginia conviction for possession of ecstasy.
Kennedy faces 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.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
Project Ceasefire is South Carolina’s continued application 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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Two Marijuana Dealers SentencedRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Shareef Williams and Dylon David Alextro Downer were sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for conspiring to distribute and distributing marijuana. Williams was also sentenced for money laundering. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Williams to 70 months imprisonment, three years supervised release, and ordered Williams to forfeit a house he had purchased in Columbia, S.C. Downer was sentenced to 51 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Williams purchased marijuana from Downer from January 2013 to July 2015. Downer lived in California and sent the marijuana through the mail to various locations in Florence for Williams. Williams used the profits he made from selling the marijuana to purchase money orders from the United States Postal Service then sent the money orders to Downer and others in California to purchase more marijuana. Williams purchased approximately 253 money orders valued at $248,900 and Downer sent approximately 235 pounds of marijuana to Williams.
The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department and the United States Postal Service. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Two Florence Residents Plead Guilty in Federal Court to Manufacturing and Passing Counterfeit MoneyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Shanteley Latrice Howard, age 33, and Kermit Lee Smith, age 29, both of Florence, S.C., pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina. Howard pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit money, and Smith pled guilty to conspiracy to pass counterfeit money, both in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell of Florence accepted the pleas and will impose sentences after he has reviewed the presentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Howard and Smith were involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and pass counterfeit $100 and $50 bills in multiple states including South Carolina and North Carolina. This conspiracy, which began in 2015, included at least nine co-defendants who were responsible for making and passing over $100,000 in counterfeit money. During the search of a residence in Florence, agents seized an Epson Workforce printer and a genuine $100 “parent note”, both of which belonged to Howard and were used to print counterfeit $100 bills. In fact, over one thousand counterfeit $100 bills bearing the same serial number as this “parent note” were passed during the course of the conspiracy. Howard also passed counterfeit $100 and $50 bills on multiple occasions at businesses in Florence and other locations in South Carolina. Smith, Howard and another co-defendant traveled together to the Upstate area of South Carolina where, on October 23, 2016, they each passed counterfeit $100 bills at a grocery store in Easley.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Howard and Smith can receive is imprisonment for 5 years and a fine of $250,000.00.
The case was investigated by agents of United States Secret Service with the assistance of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the Florence Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case.
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Horry County Man Pled Guilty to Illegal Re-entry ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Miguel Pedroza-Naquid, age 29, from Horry County, pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, to Illegal Re-Entry into the United States after deportation, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2). United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, 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 on August 20, 2017, ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations Officers in Charleston, SC, discovered Miguel Pedroza-Naquid, while he was in custody at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on state charges. Records checks revealed that Pedroza-Naquid was a native and citizen of Mexico who had previously been deported from the United States. Pedroza-Naquid has never received permission to enter or remain in the U.S.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Miguel Pedroza-Naquid can receive is imprisonment for 2 years and a fine of $250,000.00.
The case was investigated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department and agents of ICE-Enforcement Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
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Horry County Man Pled Guilty in Federal Court to Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Artemio Bustos Solano, age 40, of Horry County, S.C., pled guilty in federal court in Florence, South Carolina. Solano pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, 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 guilty plea hearing established that in the later part of 2010, agents learned from a confidential informant that Solano and a co-defendant, who previously pled guilty and has been sentenced, were involved in the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine in the Horry County area. The informant was able to approach Solano and the co-defendant and arrange for the controlled purchase of two kilograms of cocaine from them. Solano negotiated the details of the deal which was to take place on April 8, 2011, in the parking lot of a grocery store on Highway 701N in Conway. On April 8, the informant brought the “buy money” to the grocery store parking lot and showed it to the co-defendant who then left to retrieve the cocaine from Solano’s residence. After the co-defendant returned to the grocery store with the cocaine, agents arrested the co-defendant and seized the two kilograms. However, agents were not able to apprehend Solano at the scene. He was not arrested until September 2017.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Solano can receive is imprisonment for 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000.00.
The case was investigated by agents of ICE- Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office handled the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Bobby Joe Drakeford, Jr., age 27, of Wallace, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Drakeford to 84 months in federal prison with 3 years of supervised release to follow.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that on January 5, 2017, deputies with the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle involved in an attempted sale of suspected stolen firearms. After deputies attempted to make a stop on the vehicle, Drakeford, who was driving the vehicle, failed to stop, and a vehicle chase ensued. During the vehicle chase, Drakeford ran a stop sign, slammed the driver side of his car into the passenger side of a deputy’s patrol vehicle, struck a metal light pole, and caused his vehicle to roll into a parked car after exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. During the foot chase, a deputy observed Drakeford throw a small pistol over a fence and then climb over the fence. Eventually, Drakeford succumbed to verbal commands to stop, and deputies were able to detain Drakeford and recover the pistol he had thrown over the fence. The evidence presented also established that Drakeford had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cheraw Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as 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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Columbia Man Pleads to Heroin and Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Abdullah Jabbar Aquil, a/k/a “Wap,” age 42, of Columbia, plead guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin and to being a 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, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court 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 for distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd offense, possession of crack cocaine 2nd offense, and possession of a stolen pistol. At the time of the incident, Aquil was on federal supervised release for a 2009 federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm, for which he previously served a 70 months’ term of imprisonment. Aquil’s federal supervised release was revoked in April 2017, and he is currently serving 24 months’ term of imprisonment for that revocation.
Aquil faces 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. On the heroin charge, Aquil faces maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000, and 6 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Myrtle Beach Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Chris Anthony Bellamy, age 34, and Andre Matrel Rogers, age 40, both of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence, accepted the guilty pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that, pursuant to a joint federal and state drug trafficking investigation in the Myrtle Beach area, law enforcement officers made a controlled purchase of cocaine base from Bellamy on August 20, 2015. Investigators later made a controlled purchase of cocaine base from Rogers on September 18, 2015.
Both men both face enhanced penalties on the drug charges based on prior state convictions for drug trafficking crimes. Bellamy and Rogers each face a maximum of 30 years imprisonment, a fine of $2,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 6 years on the drug charges.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence office handled the case.
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Jury Convicts Spartanburg Brothers in Federal Court of Drug and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina------United States Attorney, Beth Drake, announced today Soeuth Ath, 45 and Sean Ath 53, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, were convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 846 and Title 18, United States Code Section 1956(h), in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina, following a week-long trial. The indictment also alleges the brothers used the United States Mail to facilitate a felony drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b) and felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). Soeuth Ath and Sean Ath each face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and maximum sentence of life in prison. Both men are await sentencing.
In September 2016, federal, state and local law enforcement executed multiple search and arrest warrants in Spartanburg County, Greenville County, and in Bakersfield, California, which led to the arrests of sixteen individuals, including six South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) inmates, for their roles in the wide-ranging drug and money laundering conspiracy that stretched from South Carolina to Los Angeles, Fresno and Bakersfield, California. In September 2017, after a week-long trial, two Department of Corrections inmates, Sok Bun, 28, and James Robert Peterson, 29, were found guilty of conspiring to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine following a week-long trial in federal court. In that case, the defendants also used the mail to facilitate felony drug offenses. The Ath brothers are the last two defendants to be convicted. All other defendants pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
The convictions are a result of a multi-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF Program is a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Its principal mission is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug-trafficking organizations primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of the United States Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg City Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Leesa Washington and Jeanne Howard, of the Greenville office, are prosecuting the case.
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Greer Woman Pleads Guilty to Mail theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Donna Arledge, age 43, of Greer, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Arledge and others stole mail in and around Greenville County in an effort to obtain bank account numbers, routing numbers, and identification information. Once in possession of this material they would create counterfeit checks, or simply alter legitimate checks taken from the mail, and negotiate them to obtain money.
The conspirators opened bank accounts in the names of others and used the accounts to deposit and withdraw stolen money.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Arledge can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 5 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Former Upstate Attorney Pleads Guilty to Defrauding ClientsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Philip E. Williams, age 57, of Williamston, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to mail fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341. United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks, of Charleston, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that prior to his disbarment, Williams was an attorney practicing in the upstate of South Carolina. A large part of his practice was the probate of estates. Records indicate that he used money in his trust account to pay for living and personal expenses rather than to pay devisees and others for estates that he was handling. To try to hide his wrongdoing, he would wait for another estate’s funds to be deposited and then try to pay off the devisees from the first estate. This happened with at least four or five estates and snowballed into something of a pyramid scheme where he depended on estates from new clients to pay off the devisees of previous clients.
For example, on October 24, 2012, Williams mailed in an accounting of an estate wherein he reported to the probate court that his trust account was flush with client money. This was false because he had taken most of the money to pay personal living expenses. In fact, what money he did have in the account came from another estate that had nothing to do with the estate he was reporting on.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Williams 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 United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Former Berkeley County School District CFO Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement, Money Laundering and Public CorruptionRead the Press Release
Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Brantley Thomas, 61, of Hanahan, South Carolina, pled guilty to a total of twenty federal charges involving Embezzlement, Money Laundering and Public Corruption. Evidence provided at the guilty plea established that Thomas, as the Berkeley County School District (BCSD) CFO, was responsible for paying BCSD vendors. When payment was due to certain vendors, Thomas would intentionally overpay the vendors so that a refund check would be issued back to BCSD by the vendor. Thomas then converted the refund checks issued to BCSD to his own use. Thomas’ scheme involved sometimes depositing the refund checks into a personal bank account, and other times converting the checks into money orders, which he would then deposit into a personal account. Thomas converted approximately $450,000.00 of School District money this way, spending the money on things such as travel and private club memberships.
Thomas also pleaded guilty to ten counts of Public Corruption. Thomas admitted to taking sixteen kickbacks of $2,000.00 each, for a total of $32,000.00, from an insurance vendor in exchange for BCSD business.
The Embezzlement and Money Laundering counts each carry up to ten years imprisonment. The Public Corruption charges each carry up to twenty years imprisonment. United States District Court Judge David C. Norton took the plea. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams and Assistant Attorney General Creighton Waters are prosecuting the case.
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National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ------- In recognition of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, United States Attorney Beth Drake provides the following statement:
This January, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with its federal, state, and local partners, renews its commitment to working to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and to prosecuting those responsible for these human rights abuses. We cannot simply stand on our past successes as these victories have illuminated how much more work we have to do.
Last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted human trafficking cases from the coast to the midlands to the upstate. Each case opened one more window into this shadowy world. We have learned that many victims of human trafficking are encountering South Carolinians in their places of work and leisure, yet they remain unseen or unnoticed. Traffickers prey on men, women, and children - both foreign nationals and United States citizens, the rich and the poor, the black and the white, the young and the old, the educated and the uneducated. The exploitation of these individuals varies from the forced labor of workers in the agricultural and service industries to the forced commercial sex trade and many other forms - all yielding shameful profits to the traffickers. We each have a role to play in lifting the veil on this crime. We at the Department of Justice encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the warning signs of human trafficking, www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/recognize-signs, and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.
Congress has provided the U. S. Attorney’s Office and its partners with strong and effective tools to bring to justice those who commit these most offensive human rights violations. Through the vigorous prosecution of human traffickers working in conjunction with the FBI and DHS HSI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work to make South Carolina an area inhospitable to and intolerant of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and our partner agencies,” said Atlanta Special Agent in Charge of Nick Annan. “HSI human trafficking investigations follow a victim-centered approach, ensuring the victims of this terrible crime are rescued and get the care they need, while at the same time investigating and seeking prosecution of the criminal perpetrators of this modern-day slavery.”
The FBI stated: “The FBI and our federal, state, and local partners have made great progress in identifying human trafficking operations, prosecuting offenders, and helping victims, but much work remains to be done. It is all our hope that as more people become aware of the magnitude of this problem, more critical information will be provided to us. Therefore, we ask anyone with information about human trafficking to contact their nearest FBI office.” (Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge, FBI-Columbia Division).
In 2017, the United States Attorney’s office in conjunction with its law enforcement partners prosecuted the following noteworthy cases:
United States v. Damon Taquan Jackson, a/k/a “Daddy Frost”, et al – 2:16-cr-00054
This ten person sex trafficking conspiracy exploited its victims throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia through the use of backpage.com. The defendants raped and beat their victims who were both adults and minors to force them to engage in commercial sex acts.
United States v. Alshura Tabil Annessa Frazier, 3:16-cr-00559
Frazier was convicted of sex trafficking of a minor and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 420 months imprisonment and supervised release for life. This case illustrates the overlap between drug trafficking organizations and commercial; sex trafficking.
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