District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Greenville Felon Pleads Guilty to String of Armed Robberies and CarjackingsRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Trevis L. Bland, a/k/a “HellRell,” a/k/a “Rell,” age 24, of Greenville, South Carolina entered a guilty plea in federal court to Conspiracy to Carry a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(o), Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), Felon in Possession of Firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), three counts of Carjacking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2119(1), two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and two counts of Hobbs Act Robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on April 13, 2016, Trevis Bland conspired to rob the Crown Plaza in Greenville, SC. On April 23, 2016, Bland and others planned the robbery of a woman at the Phoenix Inn, in Greenville, SC. Bland and others robbed the woman at gunpoint, forcibly removed her from her car, and stole her car. On April 24, 2016, Bland and others planned the robbery of a man outside his home in Greenville, SC. Bland and others robbed the man and another woman at gunpoint, and stole the man's car. On April 24, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed the Spinx Gas Station on East Washington Street, Greenville, SC, at gunpoint.
On April 27, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed three victims outside of the Phoenix Inn at gunpoint. On April 30, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed and carjacked two victims at Endel and Doe Street in Greenville, SC. Bland had asked the individuals for a ride, but once they were driving, he pointed the gun at the female driver and male passenger. After Bland took control of the car, the woman fought with Bland and secured the firearm, firing multiple shots at Bland as he drove away. On May 2, 2016, Trevis Bland robbed the Plez U Convenience Store in Easley, SC, at gunpoint. Bland has prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
U.S. Attorney Drake stated the minimum penalty for these convictions is 25 years imprisonment with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of ATF, the Greenville Police Department, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, and the Easley Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville USAO is prosecuting the case.
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Former South Carolina DJJ Lieutenant Indicted on Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction of Justice ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina--------United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned a three-count indictment charging Nicole Jenice Samples, of Columbia, with depravation of rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, and obstruction of justice under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1513(b)(3). Samples faces up to ten years on each Section 242 offense and twenty years on the Section 1513(b)(3) offense, along with a fine of $250,000.00 and three years of supervised release.
According the grand jury’s indictment, on January 1, 2017, Nicole Jenice Samples directed the use of excessive force as punishment for two juveniles housed at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). It is alleged that in response to juveniles making noise, Samples, a Lieutenant at DJJ, ordered two of her subordinate correctional officers to apply mechanical restraints to two juveniles, directing that the leg restraints be connected to the hand restraints, a practice known as “hog-tying.” In contravention of DJJ policy that limited use of restraints and specifically forbade any hog-tying of juveniles, Samples oversaw the application of the hog-tie restraints as punishment, leaving the juveniles face down on their stomachs for over two hours.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake thanked DJJ Acting Director Freddie Pough, SLED and the FBI: “These three law enforcement agencies have great, cooperative working relationships, and on matters of joint interest, their investigative work ensures that nobody is above or outside the law.”
Alphonso Norris, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI, added, “This matter was aggressively pursued by the FBI and our law enforcement partners. We continue to be committed to ensuring these violations are investigated and that the violators are brought to justice.”
Acting Director Freddie Pough stated, “We at DJJ make full review of allegations of abuse and/or mistreatment of all juveniles in our care, and we will not tolerate mistreatment by any staff or other residents. When this allegation was raised, after an initial review, we notified SLED, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in order that there was a full investigation. No officer is above the law. I would like to thank our State and Federal counterparts for their support and assistance with this investigation.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and SLED at the request of, and with the assistance of, the Department of Juvenile Justice and Acting Director Freddie Pough. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Jury Convicts Columbia Man of 11 Federal ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a federal jury in Columbia convicted Emanuel Cheeseboro, a/k/a “Mandoo”, age 35, of Columbia, South Carolina, of six (6) counts of possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), two (2) counts of felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), two (2) counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and one (1) count of possession of marijuana, a violation 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, presided over the three-day trial and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented during the trial established that after numerous citizen complaints, ATF and the Columbia Police Department began targeting drug dealers in the Martin Luther King Park area of Columbia. Law enforcement made multiple undercover purchases of crack cocaine from Cheeseboro in the spring of 2014. These purchases took place at different houses in the MLK Park area. In each case, Cheeseboro was captured on video selling crack cocaine. During one purchase, Cheeseboro bragged about and displayed a 9mm Taurus firearm with a laser sight that he kept during nighttime drug purchases.
Pursuant to a search warrant executed during the investigation on a house where Cheeseboro was present, police found crack cocaine, marijuana, and scales. Law enforcement was also able to locate a firearm sometime after the search warrant that they were able to link to Cheeseboro, a convicted felon.
On June 8, 2016, CPD officers detained Cheeseboro and a female who were both located in a vehicle at a residence in Columbia, known as “the Hole”. During their investigation and search of the car, officers found a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat, a quantity of crack cocaine on the female driver and a quantity of marijuana in the trunk of the car. According to the female occupant, Cheeseboro asked her to hide the crack cocaine on her person and shoved the gun under her seat when the police arrived.
Ms. Drake stated that Cheeseboro faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys William K. Witherspoon and Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project CeaseFire, a joint federal, state and local law enforcement partnership, which aggressively prosecutes gun cases.
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Dillon Man Sentenced on Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
Florence, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Florwer Carlin Lizano, Jr., age 41, of Dillon, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell of Florence sentenced Lizano to 48 months imprisonment and three-years’ supervised release.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that On August 5, 2016, Florwer Carlin Lizano, Jr., was arrested by the Dillon Police Department after he was found asleep in a parked car with a loaded firearm in his belt. As a convicted felon, Lizano is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The firearm had been reported stolen out of Lumberton, N.C.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and by the Dillon Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Alfred W. Bethea, Jr., of the Florence office prosecuted the case.
#####United States Attorney Announces Americans with Disabilities Act Restaurant InitiativeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA— United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing selected restaurants in Greenville to ensure that the restaurants provide the access required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”). The review stems from the Department of Justice’s Congressionally-mandated responsibility to ensure compliance with the ADA.
Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the owners and operators of places of public accommodation, which include restaurants, hotels, theatres, and other establishments. The ADA requires that these facilities be “designed, constructed, and altered in compliance with the accessibility standards established” by the ADA’s implementing regulations. The ADA also requires the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate places of public accommodation and undertake periodic review of compliance with the ADA, and to bring civil enforcement actions to obtain compliance and penalties as appropriate.
As part of this review, restaurant owners are first asked to complete a survey regarding the restaurant’s accessibility. A Department of Justice investigator may then visit the selected restaurants to evaluate ADA compliance. If the site visit reveals ADA noncompliance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will notify the owners and operators. The Department of Justice generally pursues voluntary compliance measures first. It may, however, commence a civil lawsuit in federal court if necessary. It does so, for example, in cases that involve a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raise issues of general public importance.
U.S. Attorney Drake noted that, “The ADA secures for people with disabilities access to our communities and the services that will allow them like every other American to reach their potential and be a contributing member of our society. Imagine, if you will, what life would be like if you could not get into a grocery store or a school or government office, or in this case, eat at a restaurant.” Drake added that the ADA is a critical tool in ensuring that people living with disabilities have access to our communities. “We look forward to working with our restaurants. If any restaurants are noncompliant, we will work with them to bring them into compliance, so that the entire community can enjoy their facilities.”
This initiative continues the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DOJ’s long commitment to enforcing the ADA, including: an agreement with the Richland County Election Board to ensure that Polling Places are ADA compliant; an agreement with the City of Columbia Police Department regarding treatment of arrestees who are deaf, and several ADA agreements with South Carolina municipalities as part of the DOJ project civic access.
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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Operation “Real Time”: Pickens Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Possession of a Pipe BombRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Matthew Joseph Kelly, age 29, of Pickens, South Carolina, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Kelly previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on January 18, 2017, for possessing a destructive device.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 19, 2016, agents with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force along with deputies from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office had an arrest warrant for an individual believed to be at a residence in Easley, SC. While at this residence, agents encountered Kelly and obtained permission to search his belongings. This search revealed a pipe bomb in a bag belonging to Kelly.
Kelly was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to possess firearms in the Upstate community.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Operation "Real Time": Anderson Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Nicholas Blake Cason, age 28, of Anderson, South Carolina, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Cason previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on July 21, 2016, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that, on February 22, 2016, a deputy with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) encountered Cason while looking for another individual. During that interface, GCSO discovered that Cason was in possession of drugs and a loaded 9mm pistol. Due to his prior criminal history and record, Cason is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Cason was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to possess firearms in the Upstate community.
In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services; the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that, a Federal Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
Mullins Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation. Jorge Hernandez-Gomez a/k/a Jorge Hernandez-Rodriguez, age 34, of Mullins, 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 Hernandez-Gomez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel of the Florence office for prosecution.
Myrtle Beach Man Indicted for Illegal Re-entry into the United States After Deportation. Gaudencio Morgado-Martinez, age 32, of Myrtle Beach, 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 Morgado-Martinez could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or two years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Operations. 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 these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Operation “Real Time”: Greenville Man Enters Guilty in Federal Court on Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Dominick Larenzo Johnson, age 30, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville to felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office. Due to his prior history of felony convictions, Johnson faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life.
Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that, on September 8, 2016, Johnson bailed out of his vehicle after fleeing an attempted traffic stop initiated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO). After locating the abandoned vehicle and while canvassing the area looking for Johnson, GCSO deputies learned from eyewitnesses that Johnson had discarded an object in a dumpster as he ran by it. GCSO arrested Johnson shortly thereafter and retrieved that object that Johnson discarded—a backpack containing a loaded 9mm pistol.
Johnson was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community.
In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling the case.
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Greenville Man, Charged in Federal Court for Conspiracy to Commit Six Armed Robberies of Local Businesses, Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Delmar Deshion Jackson, age 39, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville. Jackson pled guilty to conspiracy to commit six armed robberies in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951(a). United States District Judge Henry M. Herlong, Jr., of Greenville, accepted the plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Jackson conspired with Demiriao Trione Bonds, between October 26, 2015 and November 26, 2015, including on Thanksgiving day, to rob six area businesses. An investigation into the activity of the two men revealed that Jackson would provide transportation to the target businesses for Bonds. Bonds committed five of the six robberies with a firearm, which he brandished during the course of each, and a sixth, under threat of a firearm. During the course of the six robberies, the co-conspirators took from the targeted businesses cash, retail inventory, personal effects, and store cellular devices. At the time of his arrest, Jackson was found in possession of various items connected with the robberies, including one of the firearms, stolen pharmaceuticals, and a piece of distinctive winter apparel.
Ms. Drake stated that the maximum penalty the defendant can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100. Bonds had previously pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement, which stipulated to a sentence of 32 years.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) working in conjunction with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled 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 Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
Georgia Man Indicted for Extortion and Pretending to be an Attorney. Phillip Asher, a/k/a “Phillip Reynolds,” of Douglasville, Georgia, was charged in a 7-count indictment that related to his attempting to defraud and extort money from the owner of a Columbia restaurant by pretending to be an attorney. The indictment charges that Asher demanded amounts of $250,000 and $300,000, threatening legal action, economic harm, and immigration consequences if the money was not paid.
Asher is charged with Hobbs Act extortion, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1951, wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §1343, and traveling in interstate commerce to execute a fraud, a violation of Title 18, U. S. C. §2314. The maximum penalty Asher could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the extortion and wire fraud counts and 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 for the traveling in interstate commerce to commit fraud. The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and Alyssa Richardson of the Columbia office for prosecution.
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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Operation "Real Time": Greenville Man Enters Guilty Plea in Federal Court on Charges of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Courtney Eugene Harris, age 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(c). United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Harris faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years in federal prison and a maximum of life.
Evidence presented by the government during the plea established that on April 7, 2017, agents with United States Probation conducted a home visit at the Harris’ residence in Greenville. When the agents arrived, they were met in the yard by Harris. The agents observed Harris holding latex gloves and his shirt was covered in white powder. After Harris invited them into his home, agents observed white powder covering the kitchen counter along with several small baggies located beside the white powder. Agents then called the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) for assistance.
After GCSO arrived and advised Harris of his rights, Harris told GCSO that the substance observed in the kitchen earlier by US Probation agents was cocaine that he was mixing with caffeine. Pursuant to a search warrant obtained by GCSO, deputies seized the substance, which field-tested positive as cocaine, as well as more cocaine and a 9mm pistol from Harris’ bedroom
Harris was arrested federally as part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate.
In addition to the GCSO and ATF, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the DEA, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of approximately 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Probation Office, and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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Columbia Gang Member Sentenced on Federal Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Aaryon Brian Dowdy, a/k/a “Trouble,” age 27, of Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced today after earlier pleading guilty 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), 924(a), and 924(e). Chief United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced Dowdy to 75 months imprisonment with 3 years of federal supervised release to follow.
Evidence presented at the earlier change of plea hearing established that on January 3, 2014, Dowdy and another individual were involved in an altercation inside a convenience store on Farrow Road in Columbia. Evidence showed that during the altercation, Dowdy pulled a handgun and shot the other individual in the face. Dowdy then fled the scene. The incident was captured on videotape. The Columbia Police Department issued state warrants of attempted murder and possession of a firearm during a violent crime (those state charges remain pending and Mr. Dowdy is innocent until proven guilty).
Dowdy was apprehended in Orangeburg on January 14, 2014. At the time of his state arrest on January 14, 2014, Dowdy had a loaded .357 caliber handgun in his possession. The investigation revealed that the handgun was the same handgun used in the January 3, 2014, incident. Dowdy is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and/or ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd degree (2 separate offenses) and attempted burglary 2nd degree.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbia Police Department, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety 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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“Real Time”: Spartanburg Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Fred Deshawn Edwards, age 22, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today by United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks. Edwards previously entered a guilty plea in federal court on February 6, 2017, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on November 1, 2016, during a search of his residence by law enforcement, officers recovered four firearms and ammunition. Due to his prior criminal history and record, Edwards is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Edwards was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to possess firearms in the Upstate community.
In addition to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office.
Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 115 defendants and seizure of over 130 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case. “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Spartanburg Police Department, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Anderson Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Mail Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Cornelius N. Mattress., age 43, of Anderson, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville for his leadership in a conspiracy to commit mail theft, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks of Charleston sentenced Mattress to 40 months in the Bureau of Prisons, ordered that he pay $10,544.41 in restitution, and imposed a three-year term of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Mattress and his co-conspirators stole mail in and around Anderson County in an effort to obtain blank checks that are often sent to bank customers along with their statements. Once in possession of the checks, Mattress or a co-conspirator would open bank accounts, forge the checks, and deposit the checks into the accounts. Mattress would withdraw money from the accounts before the fraud was discovered. Mattress also recruited juveniles to cash checks and open accounts.
The case was investigated by agents of the Anderson Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled 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:
Fountain Inn Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. David Jerome Butler, age 42, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Butler could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.
Greenville County Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges. Travis Sanchez Hunt, age 32, of Greenville County, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack), a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). The maximum penalty Hunt could face is a fine of $1,500,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 450 years. The case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick 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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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 Resident Indicted on Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography. Micah R. Vickery, age 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a 2-count indictment with possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B) and distribution of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2). The maximum penalty Vickery could receive is 20 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by agents of ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr. of the Greenville office for prosecution.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Mauldin Resident Indicted on Federal Gun Charges. Alvin Andrae Drummond, age 41, of Mauldin, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and (g)(9). The maximum penalty Drummond could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office.
Individual Indicted on Federal Gun Charges. Nicholas La Shaun Finley, age 45, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and (g)(9). The maximum penalty Finley could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Schoen of the Greenville office.
Four Aliens Arrested and Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into the United States. Rigoberto Morales-Hernandez, Tomas De La Cruz-Chingo, Luis Mario Olmos Betancourt, and Pedro Antonio Medina were each charged in separate indictments with illegal re-entry to the United States, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326. The maximum penalty each could receive, depending on their prior criminal history, is two to twenty years imprisonment. These cases were investigated by agents of the ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.
Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges. Thomas Edward Norman, age 33, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). The maximum penalty Norman could face is a fine of $1,500,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 35 years. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.
Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Richard Lamar Chapman, age 24, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Chapman could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.
Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Brian Delquez Edwards, age 19, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); and possession of a stolen firearm, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(j). The maximum penalty Edwards could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.
Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Charles Alex Hamilton, age 47, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Hamilton could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.
Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charges. Vernard Buckman, Jr., age 32, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person previously charged with a criminal domestic violence conviction, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(g)(9). The maximum penalty Buckman could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells 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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Upstate Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit GoodsRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Joshua D. Korb., age 38, of Greenville, pled guilty in federal court in Greenville, to trafficking in counterfeit goods, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2320. 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 Korb ran an online EBay store called Steel-Town Memorabilia. The investigation was initiated from a request by the National Football League (NFL) because of numerous complaints received by EBay and PayPal that Korb sold counterfeit NFL merchandise and sports memorabilia.
Agents from the United States Postal Inspection Service made six undercover purchases from Steel-Town Memorabilia of NFL merchandise advertised as authentic. Experts examined all the merchandise and determined all of the items were counterfeit because they were not manufactured by the trademark holder, not licensed or authorized by the NFL, contained a fake certificate of authenticity, or contained a forged signature.
Based on the results from the undercover buys, federal agents obtained and executed a search warrant on Korb’s Greenville residence. Agents seized 2,911 pieces of NFL memorabilia. These items included counterfeit jerseys, forged signatures of current and former NFL players on NFL replica footballs and jerseys, and forged signatures of current and former NFL players on photos and posters. Agents also seized counterfeit certificate of authenticity seals.
In an interview with agents, Korb admitted that he purchased and sold counterfeit merchandise through his Steel-Town Memorabilia store. He told agents he signed the names of current and former NFL players to sports memorabilia and that he listed and sold some of the items as authentic NFL merchandise through Steel-Town Memorabilia. Korb started Steel-Town Memorabilia as a part-time business in 2006 after the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL but it expanded into a full-time business after the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
Law enforcement estimates that Korb trafficked in more than $4 million worth of counterfeit goods before the search warrant shut down his business.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty a defendant can receive is a fine of $2,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 10 years, three years of supervised release, and a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, representatives of the NFL, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball also assisted in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Two Chester Men Plead to Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Jacques Andre Jackson and Willie Joseph Roberts, of Chester, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to federal drug charges associated with their participation in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty pleas 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 during the guilty plea hearing established that, between April 2015 and March 2016, law enforcement utilized confidential sources to purchase quantities of crack cocaine from both Jackson and Roberts. There convictions were the product of a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chester Police Department. The investigation focused on significant drug dealers and violent gang members in and around Chester County and resulted in federal charges against eight defendants.
Jackson and Roberts each face a maximum of twenty years imprisonment, a fine of $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release on the drug charges.
Assistant United States Attorney Ben Garner of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Man Sentenced to 171 Months Imprisonment for Double ShootingRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Travis Donald Fender, 26, of Summerville, South Carolina, was sentenced to a total of one hundred and seventy-one months imprisonment for his involvement in a drug deal where he shot two people. Fender pled guilty in January, 2015, to one count of Discharge of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Offense and one Count of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Felon. The Discharge of a Firearm offense carries a mandatory consecutive ten-year imprisonment sentence; the Illegal Possession of a Firearm offense carries up to ten years imprisonment.
Information presented at Fender’s guilty plea and sentencing established that Fender engaged in a drug transaction with two individuals in June of 2013. When Fender arrived at the transaction he robbed and shot both individuals, using a Glock 9mm handgun. Both individuals survived the shooting. At the time, Fender was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. United States District Judge David C. Norton imposed the sentence.
The conviction and sentence are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Laurens Man Sentenced in Federal Court for Robbing Pharmacy at GunpointRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Iquill Wayne Morrison, age 22, of Laurens, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Greenville to 114 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release. Morrison pled guilty on February 28, 2017, to committing a Hobbs Act (armed) robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951, and for the use and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on August 25, 2016, Morrison entered the Drug-Lo Pharmacy located in Laurens brandishing a firearm and demanding money. Morrison pointed the gun at employees, robbed the store of approximately $305, and then fled on foot. Officers responded quickly and found Morrison hiding nearby in the woods. Post-arrest, Morrison confessed to the armed robbery. Morrison showed officers where he disposed of the firearm and a backpack after the robbery. The recovered firearm Morrison used in the robbery was a loaded .38 caliber revolver.
The Laurens Police Department, the Laurens County Sheriff's Office, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen in the Greenville U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Pleads to Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that Joshua Cain Sharpe, age 39, of Columbia, entered a guilty plea in federal court to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that on November 20, 2015, the Columbia Police Department responded to a call of shoplifting at a clothing store on Bush River Road. When officers arrived, they encountered a vehicle driven by a woman matching the description of one of the two shoplifters. Upon approaching the vehicle, the police detected a smell of marijuana. Officers removed the woman from the vehicle and began searching the vehicle. Near the steering wheel, inside the fuse panel, police found a silver Raven Arms P-25 .25 caliber pistol with a magazine containing two bullets. The safety switch of the firearm was in the off position. Officers also located 11.2 grams of methamphetamine under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Additionally, the police located a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia including a black digital scale covered in white residue.
Officers entered the store and made contact with a man matching the description of the second shoplifter, Joshua Cain Sharpe. After waiving his rights, Sharpe admitted that the firearm and methamphetamine belonged to him. Sharpe also admitted to hiding the firearm and drugs in the vehicle without the woman’s knowledge. The woman also waived her rights and confirmed that she had no knowledge of the firearm and drugs. Pursuant to a cell phone search warrant, officers also observed text messages on the defendant’s phone referring to the buying and selling of drugs.
Sharpe is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms based upon his prior state convictions for trafficking in cocaine, burglary (two separate counts), and armed robbery. Sharpe was out on bond when this incident occurred.
Sharpe faces a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and five years of supervised release on the offense of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the 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 Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office handled the case.
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Alien Located in Camden Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez, age 34, of Honduras, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2) and (b). 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 Ramon Orlando Alvarenga-Rodriguez was encountered by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations agents on February 27, 2017 at the Kershaw County Detention Center in Camden after he was arrested for unrelated charges. An investigation revealed that Alvarenga-Rodriguez is a citizen of Honduras. He had been deported three times pursuant to an order of removal and had been convicted of Improper Entry by an Alien, then re-entered the United States without permission.
U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 20 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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Columbia Man Pleads to Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Brandon LaChristopher Golson, age 35, of Columbia, plead guilty 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). 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 during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 2:30am on March 26, 2017, troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint near Ramblin Road and Lake Francis Road in Lexington County when they encountered Golson, the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that came through the checkpoint. Troopers discovered that Golson’s license was suspended and when they had Golson exit the vehicle, they saw a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun in his rear waistband. Golson was arrested on state charges and a search incident to that arrest revealed a small amount of marijuana in his pants pocket.
Golson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which include convictions for attempted burglary 2nd degree (2001), possession of a controlled substance (2005), possession with intent to distribute cocaine (2010), possession of cocaine (2011), and possession of controlled substance (2014). Additionally, Golson was previously convicted in Lexington County state court for unlawful carrying of a pistol in 2015 and in 2016.
Golson faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol 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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Columbia Man Pleads to Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Steven Don Martin, age 23, of Columbia, plead guilty 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). 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. Yesterday, Martin’s co-defendant, Melvin Cain Silas, Jr., plead guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition stemming from the same incident.
Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 10:28am on November 10, 2016, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on patrol on Farrow Road encountered a Jeep bearing Colorado license plates and learned that it had previously been reported stolen from Georgia. Once the deputy activated his blue lights and siren, the Jeep failed to stop and ultimately crashed. The four occupants attempted to flee on foot, but deputies were able to apprehend Martin, a passenger, and the driver, Silas. The other two passengers were able to get away. A search of the Jeep revealed that Martin had been in possession of a stolen loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun and a 30 round magazine. A third handgun was also found in the Jeep. Martin admitted, after waiving his rights, that he traded marijuana for the Glock handgun. A search incident to Silas’ arrest revealed a loaded Taurus .380 handgun in his front pants pocket. After waiving his rights, Silas admitted to stealing the Jeep from the side of the road in Blythewood and using a screwdriver to start it, and to buying the Taurus handgun off the street.
Martin is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for burglary 2nd (two separate counts). Like Silas, Martin was on state supervision when this incident occurred.
Martin and Silas each face a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.
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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Mooresboro, North Carolina, Woman Guilty of Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –------- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Kelly Sue Reynolds, age 51, of Mooresboro, North Carolina, pled guilty as charged in federal court this morning to five counts of income tax evasion. The plea was accepted by United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain. Reynolds faces a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000.00. Judge Cain will sentence Reynolds after the preparation of a Presentence Report.
Evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing established that Reynolds was the bookkeeper for a firm located in Cherokee County, South Carolina. As part of her duties, Reynolds paid bills for the firm, including the payment of various federal taxes. In 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducted an audit of the firm Reynolds worked for due to the fact that certain taxes had not been paid. During the course of that audit, Reynolds admitted that over a five-year period she had embezzled $439,459.97 from her employer.
Reynolds further stated that she had covered up the embezzlement by falsifying the books, showing that she had paid bills which she in fact had not paid. Included in the unpaid bills were the missing taxes, which started the investigation. It was further determined that Reynolds had not filed personal tax returns during those years that she was embezzling funds and that based upon her salary and the money she stole, she owed the IRS $117,300.06 in personal income taxes. U.S. Attorney Drake explained that income taxes are due both on illegally obtained funds as well as those legitimately earned. Reynolds has agreed to make restitution in full to both her employer and the IRS as well as agreeing to forfeit to the United States an amount equal to that which she stole from her employer.
U.S. Attorney Drake commended the IRS agents who investigated the case for their dedicated work in this and all of the cases they handle in South Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office prosecuted the case
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Irmo Man Shot by Police Pleads Guilty to Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Michael Jones, age 58, formerly of Irmo, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). 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 at the change of plea hearing established that on July 8, 2015 at approximately 1:00 am in the morning, the Irmo Police Department responded to a domestic dispute in Irmo, South Carolina. Upon arriving at the scene, a woman informed the officers that her husband, Michael Jones, the defendant, was trying to cut her grandson. The younger male, who was standing on the front stoop of the house, informed the officers that his grandfather was trying to cut him with a piece of glass. They told the officers the defendant was in the back bedroom. Through the open front door, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come outside, to which there was no response. The officers entered the home through a side door. They saw a closed doorway at the end of the hallway. Again, the officers repeatedly asked Jones to come out of the room, which Jones refused.
Other officers arrived and Jones partially opened the door with the left side of his body still concealed by the door. From his position, one officer was able to see that Jones had a rifle with a brown stock and a black barrel in his hand, with his finger on the trigger guard. The officer deployed his Taser hitting Jones who fell to the floor, but was able to stand up and pointed the gun at the officers. The officers fired their weapons and Jones was struck multiple times.
Upon entering the room, the officers located a .22 caliber Remington rifle loaded with .22 caliber ammunition lying next to Jones. At the time of this incident, Jones had been previously convicted of 2 counts of common law robbery, which prevented him from possessing a firearm.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for this offense is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Irmo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia is prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.
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Columbia Man Pleads to Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Melvin Cain Silas, Jr., age 27, of Columbia, plead guilty 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). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after she has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 10:28am on November 10, 2016, a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on patrol on Farrow Road encountered a Jeep bearing Colorado license plates and determined that it had previously been reported stolen from Georgia. Once the deputy activated his blue lights and siren, the Jeep failed to stop and ultimately crashed. The four occupants attempted to flee on foot, but deputies were able to apprehend Silas, the driver, and one of the passengers. The other two passengers were able to get away. A search incident to arrest revealed a loaded Taurus .380 handgun in Silas’ front pants pocket. A search of the Jeep revealed two additional firearms, one of which was linked to the passenger that was apprehended. That passenger has also been charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. After waiving his rights, Silas admitted to stealing the Jeep from the side of the road in Blythewood and using a screwdriver to start it. Silas also admitted to buying the Taurus handgun off the street.
Silas is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions, which includes assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (two separate counts), grand larceny, and burglary 2nd degree (two separate counts). Silas was on state supervision when this incident occurred.
Silas faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge.
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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Upstate Woman Pleads Guilty to Hydrocodone ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Precias K. Freeman., age 35, of Lyman, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court in Anderson, to a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute hydrocodone, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that beginning on October 2014 Freeman created fraudulent prescriptions and passed them in local pharmacies throughout the upstate of South Carolina. The investigation revealed that Freeman usually tried to fill three prescriptions per day. Freeman's prescriptions were almost exclusively for 120 tablets of 10mg hydrocodone per prescription and were sold for $4 per pill.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty Freeman can receive is a fine of $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.
The case was investigated by agents of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Three Members or Associates of Wildboys Gang in South Carolina Sentenced for Violent Crimes in Aid of RacketeeringRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – One member and two associates of the Wildboys gang were sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, after each pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering for their roles in retaliation attacks against a rival gang.
The announcement was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Hyman of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charlotte, North Carolina Field Division; Solicitor Duffie Stone of the 14th Judicial Circuit; Solicitor David Pascoe of the First Circuit; Sheriff R.A. Strickland of the Colleton County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Wade Marvin of the Walterboro, South Carolina Police Department; Sheriff Al Cannon, Jr. of the Charleston County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff L. C. Knight of the Dorchester County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office; Chief Jon Rogers of the Summerville, South Carolina Police Department; Director Jerry B. Adger of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and Chief Mark Keel of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
U.S. District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Brian Manigo, aka “B-Nasty,” of Green Pond, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison; Damien Robinson, aka “Sacked Up,” also of Green Pond, South Carolina, to 10 years in prison; and Kelvin Mitchell, aka “Kevy Boy,”of Ruffin, South Carolina, to 39 months in prison, after each pleaded guilty to attempted murder in aid of racketeering.
According to court documents, all three defendants were members or associates of the Wildboys gang, a violent street gang that originated in the Green Pond area of Walterboro, South Carolina. From 2009 to 2015, Wildboys gang members used Facebook and YouTube to communicate with each other; threaten rival gang members and the police; flaunt gang colors, tattoos, and hand signs; and post photographs and videos depicting firearms, large amounts of cash, and what purported to be controlled substances. Gang members also engaged in violent criminal activities, including robberies of convenience stores, attempted murders of rival gang members, and narcotics trafficking. The Wildboys gang was also, for a time, aligned with another violent street gang called the “Cowboys” that originated out of the Brittlebank, or Eastside, area of Walterboro, South Carolina. In addition to sharing a common interest in posting threats and photographs depicting firearms, large amounts of cash, and what purported to be narcotics on Facebook and YouTube, the Wildboys and the Cowboys gangs shared common enemies. These shared interests resulted in shootings aimed at rival gang members, which left innocent by-standers seriously injured.
Manigo and Mitchell were sentenced for their roles in a May 14, 2011, retaliation shooting aimed at a rival gang member. While Mitchell drove the vehicle, Manigo retrieved an AK-47 rifle from the trunk of the car and fired multiple shots at the gang member who was standing in a crowd of individuals. An innocent by-stander sustained serious bodily injury as a result of the shooting.
Robinson was sentenced for his role in the April 7, 2015, retaliation drive-by shooting aimed at members of a rival gang. Robinson was the driver of the vehicle containing two other members of the Wildboys gang. As Robinson drove past the residence of the known rival gang members, the two passengers fired multiple shots at the home using an AR-15 and an SKS rifle. Robinson gave the AR-15, which belonged to him, to his fellow gang member to use during the shooting. The shooting resulted in serious bodily injury to an innocent victim inside the residence.
As part of the sentence, Manigo, Mitchell and Robinson were ordered to serve a term of three years of supervised release and to pay the costs of medical care for the victims.
A fourth member of the Wildboys, Joshua Manigault, who pleaded guilty to the April 7, 2015, shooting, has yet to be sentenced.
Devin Brown, who was also charged in the indictment, is scheduled for a jury trial to begin on June 26. The charges against Brown contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was investigated by the ATF in Charleston, South Carolina, in partnership with the Walterboro Police Department; Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; Summerville Police Department; Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Leshia Lee-Dixon of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Tameaka A. Legette, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney from the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, Bluffton, South Carolina.
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Man Sentenced to 24 Years' Imprisonment for Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jordan Akeem McDaniel, 28, of St. Stephen, South Carolina, was sentenced to a total of two hundred and eight-eight months imprisonment for the armed robbery of Orvin’s Insurance Agency in St. Stephens. McDaniel pled guilty in November 2015, to one count of Robbery Affecting Interstate Commerce and one count of Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. The Robbery charge carries up to 20 years imprisonment; the Brandishing charge carries a mandatory sentence of 7 years imprisonment, to be served consecutive to any other sentence.
Information presented at McDaniel’s guilty plea established that McDaniel waited outside Orvin’s Insurance Agency around closing time, and when an employee exited the business McDaniel forced him back in at gunpoint. There, he forced the employee to the floor and held other employees at gunpoint. McDaniel then took cash and checks that were kept at the business. Information at McDaniel’s sentencing established that McDaniel had been released from prison in June 2012. Three months after his release, McDaniel committed Voluntary Manslaughter in September 2012, and then two months later, in December 2012, committed the armed robbery of Orvin’s Insurance Agency. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel imposed the sentence.
The conviction and sentence are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Williams of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
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Camden Man Pleads to Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition ChargeRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Richard Herman Roach, III, age 28, of Camden, plead guilty 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). 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 U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented in court during the guilty plea hearing established that at approximately 2:35 am on July 2, 2016, a deputy with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department tried to stop a speeding vehicle on Highway 34. The vehicle failed to stop and a chase ensued during which the vehicle reached speeds up to 100 mph. After the driver lost control trying to make a turn and the vehicle ended up in a ditch, the deputy approached and noticed Roach, the driver and sole occupant, reaching underneath the seat. After removing Roach from the vehicle, the deputy found a loaded Ruger .45 caliber pistol in the front area of the vehicle and a small bag of marijuana in Roach’s front pants pocket. Roach was placed under arrest for state charges. While in transport to the detention center, Roach escaped from deputies, but was apprehended shortly thereafter using a K-9 tracking team.
Roach is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon his prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 5 grams or more of crack cocaine and his prior state conviction for forgery. At the time of the incident, Roach was on supervised release for the federal drug conspiracy conviction after previously serving time.
Roach faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release on the felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge. Roach also faces a revocation of his federal supervised release sentence.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Kershaw County Detention Center 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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Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Aaron Vennefron of Hamilton, Ohio, pled guilty to his role in a conspiracy involving theft of government funds. Vennefron admitted that he and another man conspired to defraud the government by creating fraudulent invoices for payment of what appeared to be goods needed for work at the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility at the Savanah River Site. He further admitted that no goods were ever received and that the loss in the case was over $4,000,000.00.
The sentencing date will be set after the court reviews a pre-sentence report.
The case was investigated by Special Agents with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney John Potterfield is prosecuting the case.
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Duncan Woman Sentenced for Defrauding Columbia Health Care ProvidersRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Danielle Nicole Burroughs, age 35, of Duncan, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia for Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. She received 14 months incarceration and was ordered to pay $2.8 million in restitution. United States District Judge Mary J. Lewis of Columbia determined the sentence. Co-conspirators Gary Lee Joiner, age 56, and Timothy Weldon Arthur, age 39, both of Columbia, were sentenced on May 15th. Joiner was sentenced to two years’ incarceration and ordered to pay over $2.8 million in restitution. Arthur was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay $685,000 in restitution.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Joiner was the Director of Orthopedic Services for Moore Orthopedic Clinic between 2006 and 2015. In 2010, when Moore Orthopedic merged with Providence Hospital, Joiner established a fake durable medical equipment (DME) company, Creative Casting Concepts (CCC). He then proceeded to submit false invoices to Moore and Providence, representing that CCC was providing orthopedic boots, when they were not.
Burroughs was recruited by Joiner to put her name on CCC in order to keep Moore Orthopedic from learning of Joiner’s connection. She helped manage a bank account and post office box and received approximately $191,000 in compensation over five years. Arthur took Joiner’s position at Moore Orthopedic in January 2015, when Joiner retired. Arthur agreed to continue to submit fake invoices. He received approximately $24,000 in compensation before the scheme was discovered in June 2015. Overall, Joiner submitted $2.8 million in bogus invoices between 2011 and 2015.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr. of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced for Robbing Police InformantRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Maurice Darnell Geter, a/k/a “Rease”, age 35, of Columbia, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, for possession of a firearm during a violent crime or drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis of Columbia sentenced Geter to 262 months (21.8 years) incarceration followed by 5 years of supervised probation. Geter was also sentenced to 2 years’ incarceration for violation of a previous term of supervised probation. Both sentences to run concurrently.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on January 26, 2015, the Columbia Police Department utilized a confidential informant to make a purchase of crack cocaine and a gun from Geter. The informant was given money to make the purchases from Geter. The informant called and arranged to meet Geter at a bus station. When the informant arrived, Geter got into the car and directed him to a residence.
When they arrived at the location, Geter exited the vehicle to get the gun. He returned a short time later with a gun that he gave to the informant without the gun magazine. When the informant asked Geter for the magazine, Geter initially refused. The informant also asked Geter for some crack cocaine. Geter gave him a small amount of crack and the informant asked for more but Geter did not bring it with him. The informant told Geter to call him when he got more crack and refused to buy the crack.After discussing the issue about the gun, Geter agreed to provide the magazine for the gun. Geter took the gun and exited the car again. When he returned, he had the gun and the magazine. Geter ejected one of the bullets from the gun and began to wipe off his fingerprints. The informant told Geter that he did not need to do this. Geter got anxious and yelled at the informant. Geter then racked the slide of the gun, pointed it at the informant, and told him that someone is going to get shot. Geter then demanded all of the informant’s money and attempted to take the informant’s cellphone. The informant refused to give Geter his cellphone. Geter got out of the car and continued to order the informant to give him his cellphone. When he refused, Geter walked away and left with the money and the gun.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Columbia Police 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.
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Lancaster County Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Straw Purchase a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Adam Tyler Shrader, age 22, of Lancaster, South Carolina, was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia to conspiracy to straw purchase a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, sentenced Shrader to 21 months in federal prison followed by 2 years of supervised probation.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on October 21, 2014, a Lancaster County deputy met with Lillie Mae Govea about her pistol being stolen. According to Govea, someone had stolen her pistol out of the trunk of her car. She indicated that the only person who had been in the trunk of the car was her boyfriend, Adam Tyler Shrader.
The officer then contacted Shrader who told the officer that a friend of his named "Nick" had asked Govea to purchase a pistol for him. Nick gave Govea and Shrader the money and told them to make the purchase at a named local gun store. Govea and Shrader agreed.
Govea indicated that during the entire drive to the gun store, Shrader was on the telephone asking for directions. When they got to the store, Shrader showed her a picture of a specific pistol that had been previously advertised by the store. However, the store did not have the pistol in stock so they purchased a different pistol and ammunition instead.
On the way back home, Shrader was talking to someone on the telephone and told him they would be returning shortly. When they returned, a male that Govea did not know approached them, gave her additional money for the pistol and took the pistol out of the car. Shrader told Govea to wait three (3) days to report the pistol stolen in case Nick did something "bad" with it. Govea waited less than one (1) day to report the pistol stolen. The pistol was later found in the possession of a convicted felon during a search by another police jurisdiction. Govea previously had pled guilty and was sentenced on the same charge.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.
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Greenville Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Jimmy Brown, Jr., age 39, of Greenville, South Carolina, entered a guilty plea before United States District Court Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, this week, in Greenville, SC. Mr. Brown pled to counts for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in a violation of 18 U.S.C. § U.S.C. 922(g)(1); Possession with Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Cocaine Base, in violation of 21 U.S.C § U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(C); and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C § U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A). Judge Hendricks accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after review of the presentence report, as will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Mr. Brown was approached by Greenville County Sheriff’s Office deputies around 12:39 a.m., September 3, 2015, at a commercial venue off White Horse Road. Mr. Brown resisted efforts by law enforcement to investigate the circumstances of his presence there, and a subsequent and significant physical altercation ensued. During that altercation, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol fell from Mr. Brown’s possession. In addition to the firearm, Mr. Brown was found in possession of 3.3 grams of crack cocaine and approximately $1,767.00 in cash. He had previously served 15 years for a state voluntary manslaughter conviction.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000; the maximum penalty for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base is imprisonment for up to 20 years and/or a fine of $1,000,000; and the maximum penalty for Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Drug Trafficking Crime is imprisonment for life and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office is prosecuting the case.
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Federal Grand Jury IndictmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that on May 23, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in Florence, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
Man Indicted for Illegally Reentering the United States After Being Deported. Jose Alberto Nava-Reyes, age 34, of Horry County, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported, a violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a). The maximum penalty Nava-Reyes could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and 10 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Immigration and Custom Enforcement – Enforcement Removal Operations. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.
Three Myrtle Beach Men Indicted for Conducting an Illegal Gambling Business. Lawson Mangum, age 65, Anthony Todd, age 47, and Herbert Todd, age 49, all of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were charged in a one-count indictment with conducting an illegal gambling business, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1955. The maximum penalty Mangum, Todd and Todd could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and 5 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division and ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.
2 Florence Women Indicted for Conspiracy to Steal Mail and to Make Counterfeit Checks and Bank Fraud. Crystal Lynn Norris, age 26, and Emerald Jade Schamburek, age 18, both of Florence, South Carolina, were charged in a two-count indictment with stealing mail, and making forged and counterfeit checks, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Norris was also charged with bank fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344. The maximum penalty Norris and could receive is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and 30 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty Schamburek could receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and 5 years imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney A. Bradley Parham of the Florence office for prosecution.
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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Columbia Man Sentenced for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Johnny Willie Jones, age 30, of Columbia, South Carolina was sentenced today in federal court in Columbia for felon in possession of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, of Columbia, sentenced Jones to 84 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised probation.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on January 31, 2016, Jones was involved in a verbal altercation at a halfway house in Columbia. Under the rules of the halfway house, females are not allowed in the males’ rooms. The manager of the home confronted Jones about having a female in his room. A verbal altercation turned physical between Jones, the manager and her daughter. After it became physical, Jones stated, “I got something for you” and went up to his room and retrieved a sawed off shotgun, went back downstairs and shot in the direction of the two females. Both females were unharmed. Jones then left the halfway house after the police were called. The police found the shotgun in a lot behind the house. Jones fled the scene and was arrested in Arizona. Jones had previously been convicted of kidnapping and two (2) counts of armed robbery and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Columbia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project CeaseFire initiative, which aggressively prosecutes firearm cases.
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Anderson Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Daniel Neil Alexander, age 49, of Anderson, SC, was sentenced in federal court, in Greenville, SC, by United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks. Mr. Alexander had previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. Judge Hendricks sentenced Alexander to 100 months imprisonment on that count.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Mr. Alexander had helped to coordinate the distribution of methamphetamine, out of Georgia, from his co-defendant to individuals living in South Carolina and North Carolina. Mr. Alexander had aided the distribution of more than 5000 grams of methamphetamine over a four-month period.
The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.
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Alien Located in Lexington Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Bartolome Olivar-Barrera, age 40, of El Salvador, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2) and (b). United States District Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Olivar-Barrera was encountered by agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations on February 4, 2017, at the Lexington County Detention Center in Lexington, SC, after he was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. He was using the alias “Ever Hernandez “ when arrested but an investigation revealed his true name and that he is a citizen of El Salvador. It was also determined that Olivar-Barrera had been convicted of Common Law Robbery in 1998 in North Carolina while using the alias “ Jose Gomez-Olivar”. He had been deported on May 30, 1999, using this alias, pursuant to an order of removal then re-entered the United States without permission.
Ms. Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
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Charlotte Man Receives 30 Months for Simpsonville Gun Shop RobberyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina –--- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Juran Maghi Witherspoon, age 18, of Charlotte, was sentenced on a charge stemming from his involvement in the pre-dawn break-in and theft of firearms from The Gun Shop in Simpsonville in October of 2016. Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, of Charleston, sentenced Witherspoon to 30 months in the Bureau of Prisons and ordered him to pay over $48,000 in restitution.
Witherspoon was previously indicted on December 13, 2016, by a federal grand jury. Prior to his indictment, Witherspoon was arrested on federal arrest warrants in early November for the offense and has remained in custody, detained without bond, since that date.
The facts presented by AUSA Bill Watkins at the guilty plea hearing established that on October 13, 2016, at approximately 2:52 a.m., a burglary occurred at The Gun Shop and Indoor Range, a federal firearms licensee, located at 622 NE Main Street, Simpsonville, South Carolina, 29681. Surveillance camera footage from the store depicted a minivan driving though the front of the store and then three subjects (one of which was Witherspoon), wearing hooded sweatshirts, gloves and carrying bags, entering the store. Witherspoon and his associates used a sledge hammer and a baseball bat to break the glass from display cases containing firearms before loading handguns into the bags. The three men were in the store for just under one minute before they fled in a getaway car and abandoned the van at the scene. A subsequent inventory of the missing guns revealed that a total of forty-three (43) handguns had been stolen to include various models of Auto Ordnance, Bersa, Glock, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory and Taurus firearms. The van was identified as a white Chrysler Town & Country which had been reported stolen from Denver, North Carolina.
Ms. Drake also thanked law enforcement for the excellent police work: “The Simpsonville and Charlotte police, ATF, and the Lincoln County Sheriff, they pulled together to solve this one. Working together for safer communities is what it’s about.”
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance and cooperation of the Simpsonville Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the Lincoln County (North Carolina) Sheriff’s Department. The case has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins and First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick for prosecution. The investigation is still ongoing.
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Alien Located in Sumter Pleads Guilty to Illegal Re-EntryRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Martin Saquic-Larios, age 24, of Guatemala, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Columbia, to Illegal Re-Entry, a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(2) and (b). United States District Chief Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Columbia, accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Martin Saquic-Larios was encountered by agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations on January 26, 2017 at the Sumter-Lee County Detention Center in Sumter, after he was arrested for Forgery and Identity Fraud. An investigation revealed that Saquic-Larios is a citizen of Guatemala. He had been deported on October 9, 2013 pursuant to an order of removal then re-entered the United States without permission.
U.S. Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Illegal Re-Entry is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $250,000.
The case was investigated by agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Columbia office, is prosecuting the case.
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3 Indicted for North Myrtle Beach Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Lance Hardiman, Justin Pressley, and Rodrick Berklery of Longs, South Carolina, were charged in a 8-count federal indictment arising from the armed takeover of the South State Bank in North Myrtle Beach on May 4, 2016, and the ensuing high speed chase and exchange of gun fire that followed.
Hardiman, Pressley, and Berklery were charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §1951; armed bank robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §2113; two counts of use and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §924(c); obstruction of justice/witness tampering, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §1512; and, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §922(k). Hardiman and Pressley were also charged with felon in possession of a firearms counts, a violation of Title 18, United States Code §922(g). The maximum penalty the defendants could receive is a sentence of life and if convicted of the two counts of using and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the defendants face a mandatory 35 years, consecutive to all other sentences.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI , North Myrtle Beach Police Department, SLED, and Horry County Police Department. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorneys Jim May and JD Rowell of the Columbia office, as well as Special Assistant United States Attorney Scott Hixson from the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s 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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United States Announces Settlement with Richland County Board of Elections & Voter Registration to Ensure Compliance with Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ----- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today a settlement with the Richland County Board of Elections & Voter Registration to ensure accessibility of polling sites to persons with disabilities.
The agreement requires the Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration (Board) to ensure that every polling site is accessible to persons with disabilities by the 2018 primary election. The Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration will provide training to all precinct coordinators on how to install and maintain any temporary equipment and accessibility items, such as wheelchair ramps, accessible parking or the placement of mats over thresholds. On Election Day and during early-voting periods, the Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration must maintain in working order all facilities and equipment, including lifts, elevators and ramps, necessary to make polling sites accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to voluntarily reach the settlement agreement, which became effective on May 22, 2017, eliminating the need for a lawsuit.
“The right of individuals to participate in our democratic system of government includes full and equal access to polling sites,” said U.S. Attorney Drake. “This agreement represents an important step toward guaranteeing voting access to all of our citizens.”
In 2016, the Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration oversaw 150 polling sites. Pursuant to the ADA, all polling places must be accessible to voters with disabilities. In the June 2016 primary elections, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice reviewed more than 50 polling places in Richland County and concluded that many have architectural barriers that make them inaccessible to voters who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments, or voters who are blind or have vision impairments.
In response to the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s initial findings, the Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration expressed its commitment to making all polling locations accessible to voters with disabilities. The Board made some improvements by the November 2016 election, and continued to make improvements prior to the Settlement Agreement becoming finalized.
Title II of the ADA prohibits public entities, such as the Richland County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, from discriminating against people with disabilities in their programs, services, and activities. With respect to polling places, public entities are required to select and use polling places that are accessible. To learn more about the ADA and other laws protecting the rights of voters 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).
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Operation “REAL-TIME”: Spartanburg Felon Enters Guilty Plea in Federal Court on Ammunition ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Ray Anthony Kelly, age 55, of Spartanburg, pled guilty this morning in federal court in Anderson to possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. Kelly, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Kelly was arrested on federal firearms charges on June 16, 2016, and has remained in custody since his federal arrest.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing this morning established that on June 6, 2016, members of the Spartanburg Police Department (SPD) responded to a call regarding shots-fired in the parking lot of an auto repair store on John White Boulevard. When SPD officers arrived and began to process the scene, they recovered eight .9mm shell casings and interviewed multiple individuals present at the location. Based on those interviews, SPD officers determined that an earlier argument between two individuals in the parking lot led to an exchange of gun fire. Officers learned that during that exchange, Kelly returned fire, firing 9mm shots from a firearm. A firearm was not recovered however, as earlier noted, .9mm shell casings were collected by SPD. On June 9, 2016, during an interview with SPD officers, Kelly admitted to possession of the ammunition during the shooting.
Kelly was arrested federally as a part of “Operation Real-Time.” The goal of this program is to identify individuals for federal prosecution with significant criminal histories who continue to actively possess firearms in the Upstate community. In addition to the Spartanburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Real Time’s core partners include the Greenville Police Department, the Anderson Police Department, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, United States Probation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Since August of 2015, the initiative has resulted in the expedited federal prosecution of some 100 defendants and seizure of approximately 115 firearms as well as assorted ammunition from prohibited persons.
U.S. Attorney Beth Drake commended the partnership between the state and federal agencies that led to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office adopting the case, “We work best when we work together. This ‘real time’ identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.”
The Spartanburg Police Department along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen is prosecuting the case.
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Multiple Defendants Plead Guilty to Drug Conspiracy Charges in Federal Gang ProsecutionRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Deshawn Earl Chestnut, age 24, Matthew DeWitt, age 27, and Stacy Cambas, age 30, pled guilty on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, to participating in a drug conspiracy that operated in the Florence, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach areas of South Carolina. Timothy Singletary, age 22, also pled guilty on May 4, 2017, to participating in this drug conspiracy. Their respective convictions subject them to up to 20 years imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Moorman, lead Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Attorney for the District of South Carolina, noted that the prosecution is another OCDETF effort advanced in concert with local, state, and federal law enforcement. OCDETF is a program administered by the Department of Justice that targets large scale, multi-state drug trafficking organizations.
Moorman told the Court during proceedings that these Defendants, working with other co-defendants, distributed heroin, cocaine, and/or marijuana to customers in Florence and Myrtle Beach.
The investigation has targeted members of the Billie East Side Bloods, a set of the United Blood Nation, and others who formed an agreement to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana in South Carolina, and to traffic in and possess firearms for the purpose of advancing the drug conspiracy.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the DEA, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, the 15th Circuit’s Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Georgetown Police Department. The charges filed against the defendants in this operation are being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Andy Moorman and Lauren Hummel.
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Drug Distributor and Member of Upstate Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to Twelve Years ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Sergio Smith, age 31, was sentenced today in federal court to 12 years imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release. Smith was a member of a drug trafficking organization that operated for approximately 13 years in multiple states, including South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. During the course of the conspiracy, members of the conspiracy distributed millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.
This prosecution was part of the US Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) efforts. OCDETF is a program administered by the Department of Justice that targets large scale, multi-state drug trafficking organizations.
Smith worked for co-defendant Walter Lee, and distributed cocaine and crack cocaine in Anderson, South Carolina. Moorman told the Court during proceedings that Smith’s prior criminal history, his participation in the conspiracy, and his conduct after his arrest warranted a lengthy prison sentence.
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, 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 US Attorneys Andy Moorman, Bill Watkins, and Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.
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Mullins SC Man Sentenced on Drug and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Peter Allen Murphy, age 33, from Mullins, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for Possession With Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell, of Florence, sentenced Murphy to 60 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised released.
Evidence presented at the change of plea on January 9, 2017, and at the sentencing hearing established that, beginning in 2015, the Marion County Drug Unit (MCDU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were investigating illegal drug activity complaints concerning Murphy. As a result, agents made several controlled purchases of illegal drugs from Murphy. In March 2016, agents made a controlled purchase of heroin and as well as a firearm from Murphy at an apartment complex in Marion, South Carolina. Murphy was previously convicted of a felony offense and prohibited from possessing the firearm that he sold.
The case was investigated by agents from the Marion County Drug Unit (MCDU) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor of the Florence 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 Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:
Varnville Woman Charged with Embezzlement of Postal Funds. Cherrie Moore, age 40, of Varnville, SC, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Misappropriation of Funds by a Postal Employee in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1711. The maximum penalty that Moore could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by agents of the Postal Inspection Service, and it is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Summerville Woman Charged with Embezzlement of Postal Funds. Brittany Rollison, age 26, of Summerville, SC, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Misappropriation of Funds by a Postal Employee in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1711. The maximum penalty that Rollison could receive is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by agents of the Postal Inspection Service, and it is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
Eutawville Woman Charged with Theft of Mail by a Postal Employee. Michelle Craven, age 34, of Eutawville, SC, was charged in a 1-count Indictment with Theft of Mail by a Postal Employee in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1709. The maximum penalty that Craven could receive is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The case was investigated by agents of the Postal Inspection Service, and it is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Rhett DeHart of the Charleston office for prosecution.
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