District of South Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Midlands Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Role in a Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. - William Larry Javis, Jr., 46, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Evidence gathered during the investigation showed that, beginning in 2023, members of the organization distributed kilograms of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana throughout the Columbia and Lexington County areas. Investigators identified Javis as one of the organization’s leaders. He managed two stash houses, as well as hotel rooms on occasion, to store and distribute narcotics.
The investigation further revealed that Javis, despite being a convicted felon, possessed multiple firearms and facilitated their sale. At sentencing, he was held responsible for distributing more than 19,000 grams of methamphetamine, 8,000 grams of cocaine, 172 grams of marijuana, and 34 grams of fentanyl between September 2023 and January 2025.
Javis has a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base. He also has previous convictions for failure to stop for blue lights, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of the conspiracy, Javis was on probation for a prior drug conviction.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Javis to 240 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the City of Columbia Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the West Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Members of a Midlands Drug Conspiracy Sentenced to Federal Prison in Homeland Security Task Force InvestigationRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twelve members of a Midlands drug conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison. In total, over 15 kilograms of fentanyl, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of crystal meth, 1 kilogram of crack cocaine, and 500 grams of meth were attributed to the conspiracy.
The following individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl, meth, cocaine, and crack cocaine drug trafficking conspiracy:
- Devin Terell Faulk, 36, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 275 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
- Winner Cheerbinson Cherisol, 65, of Columbia, was sentenced to 85 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
- Willie Geiger, 35, of Gaston, was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
- Bradley Jamal Foster, 31, of Gaston, was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
- Darryl Pou, 52, of Columbia, was sentenced to 63 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.
- Dasia Mischell Reed, 24, of Gaston, was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
- Kevin Jerrod Mungin, 34, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
- Wade Jerome Jenkins, 70, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
- Allison Way, 53, of Gaston, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
- Darryl Lewis Brown, 48, of Columbia, was sentenced to time served and a term of supervised release of three years.
- Shyterria Shianne Shonta Suber, 32, of Columbia, was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
- Donna L. Parks 49, of West Columbia, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
Evidence presented to the court revealed that on March 25, 2021, Lexington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Faulk on an outstanding warrant and booked him into the Lexington County Detention Center. In October of 2023, Faulk was sentenced to prison for assault and battery 1st degree and trafficking cocaine. During his time in the detention center and continuing until August of 2024 after Faulk was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, he ran a complex and multi-faceted drug operation.
Cherisol was Faulk’s main supplier of fentanyl and cocaine. Cherisol, a Haitian national, had been previously deported for a federal drug trafficking conviction and was living in the United States unlawfully under a false identity, including false passports and driver’s licenses. Faulk would use contraband phones to set up the quantity of drugs to be purchased from Cherisol. Faulk would then contact his sister, Dasia Reed, to meet Cherisol and purchase the drugs. Reed sometimes obtained money for the purchases from codefendants Parks and Suber, who Faulk used to store his drug proceeds. Faulk then coordinated sales with customers and instructed Reed and her boyfriend, Geiger, to deliver the drugs purchased from Cherisol and other suppliers to various customers.
Investigators infiltrated Faulk’s drug trafficking organization and conducted several controlled purchases of large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ice, also known as crystal meth, from Reed and Geiger as directed by Faulk while Faulk was incarcerated. Investigators learned Faulk exchanged money and narcotics to a network of drug traffickers including Foster, Way, Mungin and Pou. In addition to supplying Faulk, Cherisol supplied Brown with cocaine and Jenkins with fentanyl. Jenkins acted as a middleman between Cherisol and other drug traffickers.
“Faulk and Cherisol continued to fuel dangerous drugs into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to marshal the full force of federal resources with the Homeland Security Task Force to attack drug trafficking at every level.”
“These significant sentences send a clear message to anyone flooding our communities with dangerous drugs,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Anish Shukla. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners at every level are committed to dismantling criminal drug networks from top to bottom and bringing those responsible to justice. Together, we are working to make our neighborhoods safer places for everyone.”
“This investigation exposed a complex and multi-faceted drug trafficking organization that operated with no regard for the devastating impact its drugs had on our communities,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The fact that one of the defendants continued to direct this operation from inside a corrections facility demonstrates the lengths these traffickers will go to continue their criminal enterprise. Through the dedication and collaboration of our Homeland Security Task Force partners and our local law enforcement partners, we dismantled this organization and held its members accountable. These sentences are an important step toward protecting our communities from dangerous drugs.”
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over the case and sentenced each of the defendants. A final codefendant, Donat Telcy, has not yet been sentenced. There is no parole in the federal system.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lamar J. Fyall and Mike O’Mara are prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Bookkeeper Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing $250K from Local BusinessRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Isha Yumakia Warr, 53, of Columbia, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for wire fraud.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Warr worked as a bookkeeper for a small business in Lexington County from June 2023 to July 2024. Shortly after starting work, Warr convinced the business to change their accounting software to a new system. The new software enabled Warr to pay money directly to herself, rather than paying company invoices. The business later discovered a series of unauthorized payments and unpaid invoices during a routine financial review. With the assistance of a forensic accountant, the business discovered a total of $253,855.48 in unauthorized transfers were made from the business account into Warr’s personal account.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Warr to 37 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Ms. Warr was ordered to pay $253,855.48 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews prosecuted the case.###
Sumter County Woman Pleads Guilty in Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Sha’Juan Princess Johnson, 24, of Sumter County, has pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a drug conspiracy involving Johnson’s co-defendant Jalik Tucker, after narcotics agents made several undercover buys of methamphetamine and fentanyl from him. During this same time, law enforcement identified two locations in Sumter County and one location in Richland County that the co-defendant was using to distribute drugs. They obtained search warrants for all three locations. One of the locations was Johnson’s home in Sumter.
During the execution of a search warrant at the address, officers found Johnson in the residence. In one of the bedroom’s closets, the police found fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, a glass measuring cup with a powder residue, multiple digital food scales, a box of baking soda, an electric mixer with a powder residue, and sandwich bags. Further investigation revealed that neighbors had observed a car, driven by Johnson’s co-defendant, coming and going from the residence.
Johnson’s cellphone contained pictures of illegal narcotics and text messages she had with others referring to illegal narcotics.
Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. She also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Johnson after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Pearish Pierre Pretty, 43, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Pretty was a major cocaine and methamphetamine supplier for a drug trafficking organization operating in the Columbia and Lexington County areas. Pretty was held responsible for distributing more than 18,000 grams of methamphetamine and 9,000 grams of cocaine between November 2022 and December 2024.
Pretty has prior federal convictions for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Pretty committed the offenses while on federal supervise release.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Pretty to 250 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Summerville Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Straw Purchasing Firearms for Her Felon SonRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Sheree Michelle Alexander, 50, of Summerville, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to making a false statement on a firearm purchase form.
Evidence presented in court showed that between January 2020 and September 2023, Sheree Alexander purchased at least 11 firearms for her son, Jaidan Latrell Alexander, who had a prior felony conviction and was prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms. Law enforcement later recovered 10 of those firearms from Jaidan Alexander. An eleventh firearm was recovered from another prohibited person associated with him.
Court records established that Sheree Alexander knew Jaidan Alexander was prohibited from possessing firearms but continued to buy them for him. Over a four-year period, law enforcement repeatedly recovered firearms purchased by Sheree Alexander from Jaidan Alexander’s possession. Sheree Alexander was present during some of these encounters and later retrieved firearms from law enforcement after they had been seized.
Social media messages and recorded jail calls also showed that Sheree Alexander knew Jaidan Alexander was distributing drugs and engaging in violent conduct. On April 13, 2023, Jaidan Alexander was involved in a shooting outside his Ladson apartment complex. Law enforcement later recovered firearms purchased by Sheree Alexander from the apartment, along with drugs, a money counter, digital scales, and cash. About five months after the shooting, Sheree Alexander purchased another firearm for him.
On Aug. 30, 2024, ATF agents arrested Sheree and Jaidan Alexander at their residence. Agents obtained a search warrant and found a stolen pistol and a loaded rifle in Sheree Alexander's bedroom.
Jaidan Latrell Alexander, 26, of Ladson, was previously sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in the offense conduct.United States District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks sentenced Sheree Alexander to 46 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow prosecuted the case.###
Richland County Man Sentenced for Illegally Possessing GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Carlos Antwon Lewis, 46, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 4, 2025, a Richland County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on an SUV and contacted the driver. Lewis was the front passenger. The deputy smelled the odor of marijuana, which the occupants admitted to smoking before leaving their residence. The deputy asked both occupants to step out and asked Lewis if he had any firearms or narcotics on his person. Lewis admitted that he had a firearm, and the deputy recovered a loaded 9mm pistol from his waistband.
Lewis is prohibited from possessing a firearm based upon prior convictions for arson, burglary, criminal domestic violence, unlawful carrying of a firearm, possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance near a school, and distribution of methamphetamine or cocaine base.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Lewis to 57 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Georgia Man Sentenced for Gun Charge from 2023 S.C. Trooper ShootingRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Derrick Gathers, 40, of Augusta, Georgia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm when he shot a patrolman. Eighty months of his 180-month sentence will be served consecutively to his current state sentence.
According to statements made in court, on Aug. 16, 2023, Lance Corporal Frazier with the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) stopped Gathers for speeding on Highway 78 in Bamberg County. Gathers gave Trooper Frazier a license and vehicle registration, and Trooper Frazier took those items back to his patrol vehicle to run a routine records check. Trooper Frazier had concerns about the authenticity of the driver’s license, and when Trooper Frazier reapproached the driver’s side of the vehicle to investigate, Gathers pulled out a firearm, shot trooper Frazier in the face, and sped away. Trooper Frazier’s injuries were non-life threatening. A Bamberg County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD) deputy was providing support during the traffic stop, and both officers returned fire at Gather’s fleeing vehicle. Gather’s vehicle was located by law enforcement, including by members of the Bamberg Police Department, SCHP, and BCSD. During the chase, Gathers lost control of the vehicle and crashed in Branchville. Gathers was thereafter taken into custody.
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant on the vehicle and found a pistol loaded with 9mm ammunition under the brake pedal. SLED confirmed that the pistol found on Gather’s floorboard matched the firearm used to shoot Trooper Frazier.
“This case highlights two realities: law enforcement put their lives at risk every day, and felons with guns pose a serious threat to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to support our law enforcement partners by federally prosecuting offenders that put law enforcement and the public’s lives at risk.”
“An attack on law enforcement is an attack on the entire community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Threats against our law enforcement cannot be tolerated, and ATF will apply every resource we have available to help protect our partners.”
Gathers has previous felony convictions for 3rd degree rape and 2nd degree criminal possession of a weapon out of New York, both of which prevent him from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Gathers to 180 months in federal prison. Eighty months of his 180-month sentence will be served consecutively to his current state sentence. One hundred months of the federal sentence will be served concurrently to the state sentence. He will also have a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bamberg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Fyall prosecuted the case.###
Richland County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nathan Johnson, Jr., 45, of Richland County, has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on April 20, 2024, a Richland County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a service call at a residence in Richland County. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a vehicle sitting in the middle of the road with the brake lights on. The deputy approached and found Johnson asleep in the car with the car in drive and Johnson’s foot on the brake. After the deputy woke Johnson up, the deputy told him to put the car in park, but Johnson put the car in reverse and struck the marked unit. After getting Johnson out of the vehicle, the deputy searched him and found more than 100 grams of cocaine in his pocket and a .45 caliber pistol in the glove compartment.Johnson faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Johnson after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Lexington County Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison on Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Trevor Jerremy Jones, 36, of Lexington County, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a stolen firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Nov. 6, 2021, a University of South Carolina patrolman conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after determining that the car tag had expired. The officer made contact with the driver, Trevor Jones and smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Jones denied that there was any marijuana in the car, but the officer searched the car and located a clear plastic bag containing marijuana in the driver’s side door and a large clear plastic bag containing a large amount of marijuana in the center console. Jones was arrested and stated that the property in the vehicle belonged to him.
Officers also found a .40 caliber pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition in the glove box. The gun had been reported stolen. Jones claimed he bought the firearm from a friend. Jones also had a large amount of money, grouped into small denominations consistent with the sale of narcotics.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Jones to 24 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a two-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the University of South Carolina Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.
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Former Oak Ridge National Laboratory Program Director Sentenced to 19 Years for Sexual Exploitation of A Child in Two Federal DistrictsRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On August 12, 2026, Andrew Worrall, 56, a citizen of the United Kingdom currently residing in Knox County, Tennessee, was sentenced to 235 months imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Following his imprisonment, Worrall will be on lifetime supervised release, will be required to register with state sex offender registries, comply with special sex offender conditions, and will be deported back to the United Kingdom following his sentence. As part of his sentence, Worrall was also required to sell his Farragut, Tennessee home where he conducted the offenses of conviction. Criminal forfeiture was ordered in the amount of $249,805.29, which is his equity from the sale of the property.
As part of the universal plea agreement filed with the Eastern District of Tennessee (EDTN) and the District of South Carolina (DSC), Worrall agreed to plead guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e) for the EDTN indictment, and one count of production of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a) and (e) for the DSC indictment.
While at his home on July 7, 2025, Worrall contacted a 17-year-old minor female on the Snapchat application using the internet. Knowing the age of the child, Worrall requested nude pictures of her, to which the child complied. Worrall then requested the child send a video of her inserting a foreign object into her body, again, to which the child complied.
On the same day, and continuing into July 8, 2025, Worrall contacted another 17-year-old minor female, who resided in DSC, using his Snapchat account. Worrall had similar communication with the child, asking to prove she was real by sending him pictures. After the victim complied, he requested that she engage in sexual activity on video for Worrall’s pleasure, to which the child complied.
“The 19-year sentence in this case hopefully brings a sense of justice and dignity to Worrall’s victims and deters others from committing similar crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “With our federal, state, and local partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute criminals who prey on and sexually exploit minors.”
“Worrall’s exploitation of minors is reprehensible,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “This case is yet another example of how U.S. Attorney’s Offices will work together with law enforcement agencies – across this country - to ensure child predators are brought to justice.”
“Our investigators will continue doing everything they can to identify and investigate instances of child exploitation within the Department. We know all too well the damage caused by these crimes to our communities, and we will continue working with the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country to investigate and prosecute the offenders,” said Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions.
The criminal indictments were the result of an investigation by the United States Department of Energy, Office of the Inspector General, led by Special Agents Paul Gilbride and Owen Igo.
AUSA Jennifer Kolman of the Eastern District of Tennessee and AUSA Dean H. Secor of the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
For more information about PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click the tab "resources.”
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Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer Indicted for Bribery, Drug SchemeRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Florence returned a three-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Joseph Templeton, 30, of Elgin, for bribery, money laundering, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The indictment alleges that while employed as a correctional officer at the Bennettsville Federal Correctional Institution, Templeton accepted more than $60,000 in bribes from a BOP inmate and others associated with the inmate. The indictment further alleges that in exchange for those bribes, Templeton smuggled contraband into FCI Bennettsville, including cell phones, cell phone accessories, cigarettes, and THC. Templeton falsely processed the contraband as a contraband seizure before distributing the contraband within FCI Bennettsville.
Templeton faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment. He was arraigned in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge Kaymani D. West.
The case was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, the FBI Columbia Field Office, and the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Columbia Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Guns and DrugsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Paubon Ojo, 27, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on May 27, 2023, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to a store on Decker Blvd after receiving a call about a man shoplifting, later determined to be Ojo. When officers arrived, Ojo attempted to flee from the store and was detained. Officers search Ojo and found a stolen firearm in Ojo’s pocket and 447.3 grams of marijuana and a scale in his backpack.
Ojo has prior convictions for shoplifting, burglary, grand larceny, and strong-arm robbery, all of which prevent him from possessing a weapon under federal law.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Ojo to 100 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case.###
International Fugitive Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud Conspiracy and Failure to AppearRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Herbert Leon Kimble, 60, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and failure to appear.
In 2019, Kimble was charged for his role in a $1.2 billion telemedicine and durable medical equipment scheme. Kimble previously plead guilty to conspiring to commit healthcare fraud, violate the anti-kickback statute, and defraud the United States. Kimble was scheduled to be sentenced in Fall 2024, but he failed to appear in federal court on three separate occasions. He fled to the Philippines and remained a fugitive.
On June 4, 2026, the FBI announced the creation of the Most Wanted Fraudsters List and identified Kimble as one of FBI’s eight most wanted fraudsters. On June 8—just four days later—Kimble was apprehended in the Philippines and sent back to the United States. Shortly thereafter, he was charged with three counts of failing to appear for a statute conference and two sentencing hearings, as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
As part of the plea agreement, Kimble and the United States stipulate that the Court should impose a sentence between 15 and 20 years’ imprisonment. Kimble has further agreed to pay nearly $200 million in restitution, including $9 million at his sentencing. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Kimble after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the IRS Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Usher is prosecuting the case.
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Former Rock Hill Teacher Indicted for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a five-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Douglas Melvin MacAlpine, 38, of York, for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The indictment alleges that Douglas MacAlpine used the Kik social media application at least four times to distribute files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to other Kik users in the fall of 2024. Subsequent state and federal search warrants revealed MacAlpine’s cell phone and Kik accounts contained hundreds of CSAM files. The indictment further alleges that MacAlpine possessed CSAM material in March 2025.
MacAlpine faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, special assessments of up to $40,000, and lifetime supervision. He also faces sex offender registry requirements, if convicted. MacAlpine is currently detained pending trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the York County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Matthews is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
After Runaway Ship Incident in 2024 in Charleston, South Carolina, Vessel Operator and Chief Engineer SentencedRead the Press Release
Today, a vessel operating company pleaded guilty and was sentenced, and the company’s chief engineer was sentenced to pay a fine, following a June 2024 incident where the vessel MSC Michigan VII caused the evacuation of a large bridge in Charleston, South Carolina, and created a large wake that injured two people, damaged ships and piers, and led to the clearing of local beaches.
MSC Shipmanagement Limited (MSC), a vessel operating company, was sentenced to pay a criminal fine of $6 million and to serve a four-year term of probation for failing to report a hazardous condition on board the containership MSC Michigan VII and to obstructing a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) investigation. MSC must also conduct a root-cause analysis of the circumstances relating to the hazardous conditions onboard the MSC Michigan VII.
MSC’s chief engineer, Fernando San Diego San Juan, was sentenced to pay a $2,000 fine. He previously pleaded guilty, also for failing to report a hazardous condition and obstructing the investigation.
“The hazardous condition onboard this vessel, and MSC’s failure to report it, could have ended in a fatal bridge strike as occurred months earlier in Baltimore. Had the MSC Michigan VII been heading into port instead of out to sea, the result would likely have been catastrophic,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By their reckless actions, these defendants put a coastal community, critical infrastructure, and the marine environment at risk. Congress made clear in the Ports and Waterways Safety Act that safe navigation and the protection of our waterways are matters of national importance. The Department of Justice will continue to ensure that vessel operators who violate these obligations are held accountable.”
“The Charleston Harbor is the lifeblood of the iconic Lowcountry coastal region, facilitating $88 billion in economic impact to our state each year, serving thousands of local residents and welcoming millions of visitors each year,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The defendants’ actions put all of that and lives in grave danger when it disregarded maritime law in a time of potential crisis. The true heroes here are our local law enforcement, who evacuated the Ravenel bridge and local beaches, and the harbor pilot who navigated the vessel safely out to sea. Today’s sentencing reminds mariners and their operating companies that they have a responsibility to protect our waterways and communities when operating these enormous vessels.”
“This guilty plea highlights the vital role that independent, rigorous law enforcement investigations play in protecting our nation's infrastructure,” said Supervisory Special Agent Brian O’Sullivan of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. “This guilty plea is a direct result of the meticulous work of CGIS special agents working closely with the Department of Justice and the local Captain of the Port. We will continue to dedicate our resources to ensuring the safety and security of the Port of Charleston.”
On June 5, 2024, the MSC Michigan VII departed from Charleston. The vessel intended to travel up the Cooper River to a turning basin. Once it turned around, it was to proceed down along the Cooper River, beneath the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and through Charleston Harbor and out to sea. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is an eight-lane, major thoroughfare that spans two-and-a-half miles and connects Charleston with Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
During this outbound transit, the linkage rod disconnected from the vessel’s governor after the MSC Michigan VII’s crew made a manual adjustment to it. The governor regulates engine speed. Because it was not connected to its governor, the MSC Michigan VII’s main engine could not be slowed and the vessel sped along at approximately 16-17 knots. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge was evacuated over concern the vessel could strike the bridge, though it was successfully navigated under the bridge and out to sea. Local beaches were also cleared because of concern that the wake of the MSC Michigan VII could cause injuries to people on the beach, and it did injure two people. The vessel’s wake also damaged ships and piers.
In pleading guilty, MSC and San Diego San Juan admitted that, on occasion, the exact revolutions per minute (rpms) ordered by the MSC Michigan VII’s bridge telegraph could only be achieved if the length of the linkage rod between the governor and fuel rack was manually adjusted. Only trained technicians should manually adjust a vessel’s governor and linkage rod, and none of the engineering crew onboard the MSC Michigan VII were qualified to make the adjustments. Despite this, when the vessel was maneuvering (entering or departing a port) the engineering crew had to pay attention to the bridge telegraph order that could be seen in the engine control room. As needed, they would go to the governor and manually adjust the length of the linkage rod until the desired rpm was reached.
Additionally, bridge crewmembers would occasionally call the engine control room and request the rpms be raised or lowered to match the telegraph order. San Diego San Juan admitted that he knew that this practice was hazardous because manually adjusting the length of the linkage rod could cause it to fail. Nevertheless, he allowed the practice to continue. The nuts on both ends of the linkage rod were loosened by the MSC Michigan VII’s engine department crew so that the rod could be more easily turned to adjust its length and, therefore, the main engine rpms. The system was designed so that on each end of the linkage rod was a locking washer that would hold the nuts in place so they could not back out. However, on the M/V MSC Michigan VII, both the upper and lower locking washers were removed and the USCG found one of the locking washers on the deck beneath the governor.
Both the failure of the engine to achieve the rpms dictated by the bridge telegraph and the manual adjustment to the linkage rod during maneuvering constituted hazardous conditions that should have been but were not reported to the USCG.
During their investigation, the USCG and the NTSB interviewed San Diego San Juan and asked him if the linkage rod was ever adjusted. He lied and said that the crew never adjusted the linkage rod and only a qualified technician would adjust the linkage rod. The NTSB and USCG later interviewed San Diego San Juan again and asked him whether there had been a delay between the bridge telegraph and the main engine response in the past. He lied and said there had not been. However, when he made that statement, he knew that the governor linkage rod had at previous times been manually adjusted to match the engine order telegraph input which caused a delay for the main engine to reach the desired rpm. San Diego San Juan was asked again if anyone had ever adjusted the linkage rod and he falsely answered “no.” He also stated that the crew should never adjust the linkage rod and that only a technician should adjust the linkage rod. He was asked whether he knew that the crew were making manual adjustments to the linkage rod and he lied and said that he was unaware.
During the USCG inspection of the MSC Michigan VII after the incident, San Diego San Juan told another crew member that he had said to the USCG that he did not see anyone adjust the linkage rod. He told that crew member and two others to say what he had said to the USCG so they would be on “the same page.” In doing this, he was attempting to persuade these witnesses not to admit to the USCG that there had been manual adjustments to the linkage rod.
The USCG Sector Charleston, the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the NTSB investigated the case.
Assistant Section Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dean H. Secor and W. Cole Shannon for the District of South Carolina prosecuted the case.
Clarendon County Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Everett Sabb, 37, of Summerton, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Sabb was a supplier of cocaine, crack, and marijuana in the Clarendon County area. On at least one occasion, he traveled to California to meet with potential drug suppliers on behalf of his coconspirator.
Law enforcement discovered Sabb with firearms or ammunition on two occasions. Sabb was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to his prior state felony convictions, which included convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, Distribution of Cocaine Base with the Proximality of a School or Park, and Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. sentenced Anderson to 240 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.
Kershaw County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Davon Jermaine Mickle, 40, of Kershaw, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Aug. 19, 2023, the Camden Police Department responded to a shooting near a nightclub. Three victims reported that they were at the nightclub when Mickle began harassing one of them. They saw Mickle walking around the parking lot with an AR-style rifle and then place the rifle in a car. After a short argument with Mickle, the three victims left together. As they were leaving, they saw Mickle run back to the car, return with the rifle, and shoot at their car nearly two dozen times. During the investigation, officers found 23 cartridges in the road near the shooting. The victims’ car had one bullet hole in the bumper.
The victims identified Mickle as the shooter, and investigators determined he had an outstanding arrest warrant. Deputies from the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office located Mickle sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle at his residence and saw an AR-style rifle in the passenger seat. The police detained Mickle and secured the firearm. The police reviewed surveillance footage of the shooting and observed that the shooter was wearing the same shoes, blue jean shorts and black boxers that Mickle was wearing. Investigators determined the gun in the vehicle was not the same gun used in the shooting, however a gun residue test proved that Mickle had recently fired a firearm.
Mickle is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon previous convictions for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of crack cocaine near a school, distribution of crack cocaine 1st, and distribution of cocaine base 3rd.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Mickle to 180 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, and the Camden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Former Columbia Teacher Indicted for Attempted Production, Distribution, and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a nine-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Jonathan Andrew Monk, 44, of Columbia, for attempted production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Monk faces a maximum penalty of 30 years’ imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If you have any information to report to law enforcement, please contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or (803) 551-4200.
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* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Richland County Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Davante Jamar Moore, 34, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 29, 2024, officers with the Columbia Police Department (CPD) conducted a lawful traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Moore. Moore was the driver and sole occupant. During the stop, a CPD K9 alerted to the scent of narcotics.
When officers searched the vehicle, they located a yellow backpack with a plastic bag containing marijuana, various bags, a scale, container with white powder inside, and a loaded firearm.
Moore is prohibited from possessing firearms based upon previous convictions for strong arm robbery and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Moore to 57 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###
Charleston Felon Arrested for Illegal Ammunition Possession Following Violent Fourth of July Block PartyRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. —According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Dejuan Ravenel, 21, of Charleston, has been charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition.
According to court documents, on July 4, 2026, North Charleston Police officers responded to a large disturbance on Spruill Avenue. While NCPD officers and officers from assisting law enforcement agencies were attempting to disperse the crowd and restore order, several individuals, including juveniles, became combative and physically assaulted responding officers.
While one officer was being violently assaulted by multiple juveniles, their department-issued taser and two firearm magazines, each containing 13 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, became dislodged and unsecured from their duty holster. Following the assault, law enforcement was unable to locate the officer’s taser or loaded firearm magazines.
Investigators reviewed body worn camera and surveillance footage and identified Ravenel taking the taser and magazines. Officers arrested Ravenel and during a search of his home located the taser and magazines.
Ravenel has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law. At the time of the crime, Ravenel was on probation for a previous conviction and out on bonds for possession of stolen vehicle, possession of stolen gun, financial transaction card theft, and receiving stolen goods from a December 2024 incident and burglary 2nd degree from September 2025.
“Federal investigators, assisted by SLED task force officers, immediately assisted with this multi-agency investigation and found the appropriate charge to bring against Ravenel, whose actions as convicted felon were a violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners will resolutely support our local law enforcement in keeping our communities safe.”
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Ravenel faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by FBI Columbia Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra Henderson is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Goose Creek Felon Sentenced to More than 9 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Thomas Lamont Ancrum, 37, of Goose Creek, has been sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison for possessing two firearms as a convicted felon.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Ancrum led officers with the North Charleston Police Department on a dangerous highspeed chase on the night of Aug. 12, 2024. During the chase, Ancrum reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour, weaving in and out of interstate traffic. Eventually, officers used stop sticks to puncture the vehicle’s tires which quickly ended the pursuit. Ancrum then exited the vehicle, dropped a book bag, and ran across the interstate. He was quickly apprehended by a police K9 and arrested. Inside the backpack, officers found two firearms and small quantities of cocaine and marijuana.
As a previously convicted felon, Ancrum is prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition. He was indicted in federal court on one count of felon in possession of a firearm in 2025.
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Ancrum to 115 months' imprisonment—the maximum term called for by the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Ancrum will be under court supervision for three years upon his release from federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
This case was investigated by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the North Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cole Shannon prosecuted the case.###
Former SCDC Guard, Co-Defendants Plead Guilty in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Five individuals charged in a $550K prison bribery scheme entered guilty pleas in federal court this week.
- Lowanda Atkinson, 52, of Kershaw County, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Atkinson served as a corrections officer in SCDC and was assigned to Lee Correctional Institution.
- Jason Brown, 43, an SCDC inmate, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Adriana Conyers, 37, of Sumter County, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Christopher Hickman, 46, of Richland County, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Mary Ann Hickman-Brown, 64, of Clarendon County, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Lowanda Atkinson, a 16-year corrections officer with SCDC, accepted more than $550,000 in bribes from inmates Larry Williamson and Jason Brown, along with Jason Brown’s mother Mary Ann Hickman Brown, Jason Brown’s brother Christopher Hickman, Jason Brown’s nephew’s mother Adrianna Conyers, and Jason Brown’s friend Courtney Briggs.
In exchange for the bribes, Atkinson smuggled contraband, including cell phones, cell phone accessories, tobacco, and controlled substances, into Lee Correctional Institution. The contraband was later sold to other inmates by Brown and Williamson and the proceeds of the contraband sales were split between Brown, Williamson, and Atkinson. Atkinson later spent the proceeds on designer purchases, plastic surgery, and a luxury SUV.
Larry Williamson and Courtney Briggs were charged in a separate Indictment. Briggs was arraigned on July 7, 2026 on count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of honest services wire fraud. Williamson is pending arraignment on one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, five counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of use of an interstate facility to facilitate bribery, and one count of drug conspiracy.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with SCDC to root out corruption within our correctional system, whether it originates inside the walls or through networks that support it from the outside,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Atkinson’s scheme is an example of law enforcement corruption, and we will not tolerate that in South Carolina.”
“This person took advantage of the trust given to her and conspired with inmates and their families to flood our prison with deadly contraband,” SCDC Director Joel Anderson said. “I'm glad they are all being held accountable for their crimes. Her conduct is not characteristic of our values or of the people who work in our department.”
Each of the defendants faces up to 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea and will sentence the defendants after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Samantha Usher are prosecuting the case.###
Mexican National Sentenced for 28-Year Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Marco Antonio Lopez Gutierrez, an illegal alien residing in Lancaster, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for a decades-long aggravated identity fraud scheme.
The defendant’s crimes involved an elaborate and extensive identity theft scheme that spanned approximately 28 years while living in three separate states. Gutierrez used the victim’s Puerto Rican birth certificate and social security number to obtain a U.S. Passport, multiple state drivers licenses, credit cards and even an FHA loan all under the victim’s information. In the mid-1990s the defendant was convicted of fraud, larceny, and assault and served time in a North Carolina state prison under the victim’s identity.
Gutierrez’s victim estimated that he spent thousands of hours contacting banks, law enforcement, and creditors before Gutierrez’s arrest trying to clear his name and establish that he was a victim and not a debtor.
Gutierrez’s scheme negatively affected his victim’s ability to borrow from financial institutions, prevented his victim from obtaining a state driver’s license, because one was already issued in his name, and Gutierrez caused his victim, a United States citizen, to be questioned by law enforcement on at least two occasions after Gutierrez falsely reported to the police that Gutierrez was the identity theft victim and that the victim had stolen his identity.
After Gutierrez was arrested on federal charges, he lied to the presiding United States Magistrate, and the United States Probation Office, about his identity, so that he could obtain appointed counsel at the taxpayer’s expense under the victim’s identity.
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Gutierrez to 48 months’ imprisonment. The Court also ordered Gutierrez to pay $79,010.44 in restitution to the victim of his crimes. Following his incarceration, he will be deported.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Diplomatic Security Services and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry B. McTigue prosecuted the case.###
Federal Jury Convicts Duncan Credit Repair Operator for Wire Fraud and Credit Card FraudRead the Press Release
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Joseph F. Wallace, 51, of Duncan, has been convicted by a federal jury following four days of trial. Wallace was found guilty on nine counts of wire fraud and one count of credit card fraud.
Evidence introduced at trial showed that Wallace marketed himself as “a self-made serial entrepreneur leading multiple business entities and living the American Dream in Upstate, South Carolina.” He owned and operated YMA Financial through which he offered various services such as credit repair, business planning, and establishment of business credit. Beginning in late 2022, Wallace overextended himself in his pursuit of other business endeavors and he needed substantial infusions of cash to pay back previous clients. This precarious financial situation led Wallace to make misrepresentations to new clients and to withhold material information.
Wallace would direct clients to obtain various credit cards in aid of establishing the clients’ business credit. To ensure the clients qualified for the new cards, Wallace often directed them to provide false information to the credit card companies. The clients followed the instructions without questioning him because of his claimed expertise and involvement in community organizations.
Wallace would then obtain large cash advances on the new credit cards and the clients’ existing credit cards. (Some of the advances were made with the clients’ permission, others were not.) Wallace explained to clients that he would pay off the newly acquired balances within 30 days. By paying off the advances promptly, Wallace told clients that this would demonstrate to creditors the clients’ trustworthiness and thus boost their credit scores and borrowing potential. However, when the credit card bills came due, Wallace did not pay the balances in full as he had promised. Often Wallace would pay the minimum due or nothing at all. He provided the victims with multiple excuses. The victims later learned that Wallace had used the credit card advances to pay other debts or to make purchases for other businesses.
In total, Wallace stole more than $971,051.44 from the affected clients.“Fraud is not a victimless crime,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “It undermines trust, devastates families, and steals from hardworking people who have done nothing wrong. Our office is committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who exploit others for financial gain. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and protect our communities from these serious crimes.”
Wallace faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. U.S. District Judge Donald C. Coggins, Jr. presided over the trial and will sentence Wallace after receiving and reviewed a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Watkins and Elle E. Klein are prosecuting the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 16 years in Federal Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Johnny Lee Dickerson, 45, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense involving methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.
According to the facts presented in court, the Columbia Police Department and long with the DEA, launched an investigation identifying Dickerson as a supplier of multiple controlled substances in Columbia and Lexington County. Between February and June 2024, Dickerson sold approximately 453.6 grams of methamphetamine to confidential informants and undercover officers.
At the sentencing hearing, Dickerson was held responsible for approximately 3,906 grams of cocaine, 56.7 grams of crack cocaine, 453.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 43 grams of marijuana.
Dickerson has prior felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute within proximity of a school, criminal domestic violence, and distribution of crack cocaine. Based on his prior controlled substance convictions, he was designated a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Dickerson to 200 months in federal prison, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, City of Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.Sumter County Men Sentenced to More than 17 years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three Sumter County men have been sentenced to a combined 205 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl.
- Zuri Laxenda Cokley, 23, of Sumter
- Jashai Dyrell Mellette, 26, of Sumter
- Denetrick Devontae Holland, 24, of Sumter
According to facts presented in court, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, launched an investigation in 2023 after receiving a tip that the men were operating a stash house containing large quantities of various narcotics. Agents determined that Cokley was managing the drug operation and that Mellette and Holland used the stash house to sell narcotics. Agents utilized confidential informants to conduct controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from the residence. Cokley, Mellette, and Holland each sold informants fentanyl and crack cocaine during those transactions.
On Aug. 31, 2023, agents executed a search warrant at the property. During the search, investigators recovered 45 grams of fentanyl, 109 grams of crack cocaine, 415 grams of marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, cash, a stolen pistol, and a semiautomatic firearm. Cokley and Mellette were present and arrested at the scene.
Cokley was released on bond in October 2023 but continued distributing narcotics. In April 2024, he sold additional fentanyl to an informant while on bond. He was arrested again in June 2024 and charged with distribution of a controlled substance.
All three defendants had prior criminal histories. Cokley had multiple prior drug‑related convictions and convictions for failure to stop for blue light, driving under suspension, and hit-and-run resulting in property damage and minor injury. Mellette had prior convictions for failure to stop for a blue light, driving under suspension, unlawful distribution to a minor, and public disorderly conduct. Holland had multiple convictions for assault and battery, possession of marijuana, and unlawful firearm possession.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Cokley to 78 months’ imprisonment, Holland to 70 months’ imprisonment, and Mellette to 57 months’ imprisonment, each to be followed by a three-year term of court ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.
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South Carolina Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Racially Motivated ShootingRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina to 9 years in prison for violating the housing rights of his black neighbor, J.M., in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3631.
“Today, we have delivered justice for Jonathan Andrew Felkel’s disturbing, racially motivated attack on the victim,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Hate crimes not only harm individuals, but undermine the fabric of our communities. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute such cases to restore safety and confidence in our neighborhoods.”
“Racially motivated violence will not be tolerated in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina.
“The defendant’s violent actions last July caused irreparable harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “It is our hope that the victim and this community can begin to heal, knowing that we remain fully committed to their safety. Anyone who commits a crime motivated by race or by any other class under the Fair Housing Act will be met with the full weight of the justice system.”
At his earlier plea hearing, Felkel admitted that on July 17, 2025, he was driving into the community where both he and J.M. lived when he fired a gun and shouted at J.M., “You better keep running, boy!” while J.M. was standing at the community gate. During the investigation, Felkel admitted to law enforcement officers that he believed black people were committing crimes in his neighborhood, that he had assumed J.M. was a criminal due to his race, and that he had hoped to convey to J.M. that he should “leave” and “not be around this area.”
The FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar Fyall of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Racially Motivated ShootingRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. —The Justice Department announced that Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Columbia, South Carolina to nine years in federal prison for violating the housing rights of his black neighbor, J.M., in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3631.
“Today, we have delivered justice for Jonathan Andrew Felkel’s disturbing, racially motivated attack on the victim,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Hate crimes not only harm individuals, but undermine the fabric of our communities. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute such cases to restore safety and confidence in our neighborhoods.”
“Racially motivated violence will not be tolerated in South Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina.
“The defendant’s violent actions last July caused irreparable harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “It is our hope that the victim and this community can begin to heal, knowing that we remain fully committed to their safety. Anyone who commits a crime motivated by race or by any other class under the Fair Housing Act will be met with the full weight of the justice system.”
“It’s sad that we’ve got individuals, like Felkel, who have hate in their heart,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “Today, justice was served. Our partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows that crimes like this are not going to be tolerated.”
At his earlier plea hearing, Felkel admitted that on July 17, 2025, he was driving into the community where both he and J.M. lived when he fired a gun and shouted at J.M., “You better keep running, boy!” while J.M. was standing at the community gate. During the investigation, Felkel admitted to law enforcement officers that he believed black people were committing crimes in his neighborhood, that he had assumed J.M. was a criminal due to his race, and that he had hoped to convey to J.M. that he should “leave” and “not be around this area.”
The FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar Fyall of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.###
Former Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office “No Show” Cousin and Chaplain Sentenced in Public Corruption Scheme Orchestrated by former Sheriff Chuck WrightRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Lawson B. Watson, 74, of Reidville, and Amos Durham, 62, of Woodruff, were sentenced for their roles in a public corruption scheme led by former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, who was sentenced on Tuesday to 41 months in federal prison.
Chief District Court Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Watson to 16 months in federal prison, the top end of the recommended sentencing range under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, as well as a three-year term of supervised release. Watson was also ordered to pay $349,885.22 in restitution. The Court also ordered that Watson make monthly payments of $2,000 in restitution payments upon his release from federal prison, and he was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution by the close of business on the day of his sentencing.
Durham was the only defendant of the three who was eligible for a probationary sentence pursuant to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. Judge Cain sentenced Durham to five years of probation, the maximum term of probation allowed by statute. Durham was also ordered to pay $95,442.39 in restitution. Durham will begin paying $3,000 a month towards restitution until it is satisfied within the next 60 days.“The taxpayers of Spartanburg County and the members of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deserved better, and these defendants have now been held accountable for their roles in Chuck Wright’s schemes,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office as well as our state and federal law enforcement partners will remain ‘at the ready,’ continuing to investigate and prosecute public corruption in South Carolina.”
According to court documents, from 2021-2025, Watson receiving an annual salary of $57,000 with full benefits, a county-issued Chevrolet Tahoe maintained by the county, with unlimited access to taxpayer-funded gas. In return, Watson was a no-show employee for four years, failing to work in his county capacity. Instead, Watson used his county-issued Tahoe and phone to run his own grading business, including by listing his county-issued phone as the contact number for his private business, and he had a county employee prepare quotes and bids for his grading business. As the record revealed, Watson did not check his county email, he did not know how to submit a time sheet, and employees reported not seeing him at the sheriff’s office for several years.
Durham, while serving as the senior chaplain for SCSO, in another fraudulent scheme led by Wright, oversaw the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund. The Benevolence Fund is non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to SCSO deputies and their families during times of need, such as bereavement, financial difficulties, and traumatic line-of-duty events. Wright directed Durham to withdraw cash from the fund and cut checks to Wright, which Wright used for his own personal enrichment, to include the purchase of illegal opioids instead of assisting deputies and their families in need.
When one employee’s family approached the chaplain seeking assistance to cover hospice bills from the Benevolence Fund for help covering hospice bills, they were turned away because the fund was empty. When a deputy asked for assistance with bills associated with a tree that fell on the deputy’s house, they were also turned away. Around the same time, Wright took more than $89,000 donated cash from the Benevolence Fund for his private use. Wright also used the fund for personal purchases and expenses, to include hotel rooms, food, and travel bills. Durham also used the fund for pay for just over $3,000 for his own personal expenses, to include payments to Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Discount Tire, and Lenscrafters.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the office of 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lothrop Morris and Criminal Chief Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.###
Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison in Public Corruption SchemeRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Charles Wright, 61, of Wellford, the former sheriff of Spartanburg County, has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to SCSO deputies and their families during times of need, such as bereavement, financial difficulties, and traumatic line-of-duty events. Wright, in his capacity as sheriff, hired Amos Durham as the director of the Benevolence Fund. In that position, Durham was responsible for overseeing the fund. Wright then directed Durham to withdraw cash and right checks to Wright, which Wright used for his own personal enrichment and not for deputies and their families in need. When one employee’s family approached the Benevolence Fund for help covering hospice bills, they were turned away because the fund was empty. When another deputy asked for assistance with bills associated with a tree that fell on the deputy’s house, they were also turned away. Around the same time, Wright took more than $89,000 donated cash from the Benevolence Fund for his private use. Wright used for personal purchases and expenses, to include hotel rooms, food, and travel bills. Wright also charged more than $17,000 in personal expense on the county credit card, including for fitness programs, Apple products, online games, and streaming platform subscriptions.
Wright also employed and paid his cousin, Lawson Watson, at least $200,000 in taxpayer funds for a no-show job across a four-year period. In March 2005, Wright hired Watson as an employee of the SCSO. Watson received a full salary and benefits for work that he did not perform from at least January 2021 through March 2025. Wright knew that his cousin was not working and he allowed Watson to continue to fraudulently receive a paycheck and benefits for work that he did not perform. Wright further provided his cousin the use of a county vehicle and county phone for the cousin to use at a private job.
Wright also obtained controlled substances under false pretenses. Wright repeatedly obtained oxycodone and hydrocodone pills fraudulently by misleading numerous employees and members of the public, seeking them out to turn over prescription pills over to Wright for what he claimed was part of the SCSO “take back” narcotic disposal program. In truth, Wright obtained the narcotics for his own personal use. He targeted many at SCSO and in his community who were suffering loss and medical hardship—including at funerals, at church, and following surgery—whom he knew would have pills. Wright, while in uniform, badge on chest and service weapon on his hip, purchased drugs from a street-level pill dealer on several occasions in the SCSO parking lot.“Wright’s abuses represent a grave violation of public trust. He let down the people who elected him to serve,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate public corruption and hold those who abuse their positions of power accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing reaffirms that honor and integrity remain core traits of wearing a law enforcement badge,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. “There is a real cost for tarnishing the badge and the trust it represents, and former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright will now face that consequence. The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure elected officials are held accountable for crimes—especially when their actions erode the public’s trust.”
“My office was proud to partner with law enforcement at SLED and the FBI who investigated this matter as well as our counterparts at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute this case and ensure that justice was done,” stated 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black. “Public trust in our institutions cannot be undermined, and today’s sentence should send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”Chief United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain sentenced Wright to 41 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Wright’s two co-defendants, Amos Durham and Lawson Watson, are scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, July 9.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lothrop Morris and Criminal Chief Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.###
Former Charleston County Magistrate Pleads Guilty to Possessing, Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — James Benjamin Gosnell, Jr., 69, of Charleston, has pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).*
In summer 2025, agents with Homeland Security Investigations received a CyberTip from PayPal that showed payments made from PayPal accounts belonging to James Benjamin Gosnell, Jr. to a known CSAM vendor. Based upon that information, agents obtained a federal search warrant for Gosnell’s residence, which they executed on Sept. 16, 2025.
During the execution of the search warrant, Gosnell confessed to possessing CSAM, and gave agents a flash drive that he admitted contained hundreds of CSAM videos. Agents seized more than a dozen additional electronic devices and flash drives. Forensic analysis confirmed that Gosnell possessed thousands of CSAM files.
Further investigation revealed that in December 2023, Gosnell began communicating with a man in Florida named John Thorpe via text message and encrypted apps. Gosnell and Thorpe discussed their shared sexual preference for minors, primarily the violent sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. In the summer of 2024, Gosnell traveled to Thorpe’s home in Florida, where Gosnell distributed and shared a flash drive containing CSAM. Gosnell left the thumb drive of CSAM with Thorpe, who later sent it back to Gosnell in Charleston via FedEx.
“Gosnell, a public official and judicial officer, was a man entrusted with carrying out justice in the Charleston community yet was doing exactly the opposite,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Thank you to our partners at HSI for their tireless pursuit of accountability in this case. And thank you to our community who came forward with tips and information to assist in protecting our children.”
“The evil actions uncovered in this case represent the worst form of criminal behavior—targeting the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Carolinas. “Homeland Security Investigations will relentlessly pursue those who engage in the exploitation of children, no matter their status or profession. Our commitment is unwavering: we will use every resource at our disposal to protect children, bring offenders to justice, and ensure they face the full consequences of their crimes.”
Gosnell faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and up to a lifetime of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. He will be required to register as a sex offender for life. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Gosnell after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Orville and Emily Limehouse are prosecuting the case.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Columbia Man Sentenced to 16 years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery with a Machine GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tah’Kel Ar’Key Wilson, 21, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for robbing a federal informant at gunpoint during a firearms and narcotics investigation.
Evidence presented in court revealed that on Aug.9, 2024, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives utilized a confidential informant to coordinate the purchase of a firearm and cocaine from an identified target. When the victim arrived at the agreed‑upon location, Wilson approached the victim’s vehicle, introduced himself, and directed the victim to drive to a secluded area to pick up additional items.There, Wilson removed a firearm equipped with a Glock switch from his waistband, pointed it at the victim, and threatened to “switch” the informant if he/she did not comply. Wilson then stole approximately $3,400 in documented funds and two cell phones from the victim before fleeing on foot.
ATF agents who had been stationed approximately 50 yards away conducting surveillance immediately responded. Wilson was observed fleeing toward a wooded area and was apprehended a short time later after agents located him hiding inside a backyard shed. Investigators recovered the loaded firearm equipped with the machine‑gun conversion device, the stolen funds, and both cell phones. The robbery was captured on audio and video recording.
At the time of the offense, Wilson was on state bond for murder and was wearing a GPS monitoring device.
United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Wilson to 192 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Former N. Charleston Councilmen, Co-conspirators Sentenced in Public Corruption SchemeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Four more defendants charged in a North Charleston public corruption scheme have been sentenced.
- Jerome Sydney Heyward, 63, a former North Charleston City Councilmember, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for extortion, bribery, and money laundering.
- Mike A. Brown, 47, former North Charleston City Council Member, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for accepting a bribe from Aaron Hicks in exchange for his support of a rezoning application.
- Michelle Stent-Hilton, 58, of North Charleston, and Donavan Laval Moten, 48, founder of Core4Success Foundation, were each sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for paying Heyward $20,000 kickbacks in exchange for his support of their applications for grant funds.
“These defendants, who broke the public trust, have been held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Thank you to our law enforcement partners at the FBI and SLED for thoroughly investigating these instances of public corruption.”
“Public corruption undermines the trust that citizens place in people with power and tarnishes the goodwill of those who use their positions to act in good faith,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. “The FBI and our partners are committed to rooting out public corruption and bringing accountability to the bodies of government and organizations meant to serve the people.”
“Pay to play politics is an egregious abuse of the public’s trust,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “Elected officials should be serving the community – not lining their own pockets. SLED is proud to work together with our state and federal partners to bring those who unlawfully profit off their positions to justice.”
Heyward was charged in three separate schemes with corruptly using his position as a North Charleston City Councilman to personally enrich himself through bribes, kickbacks, and extortion and to deprive the citizens and the government of North Charleston of their intangible right to the honest services of the North Charleston City Council. In the first scheme, Heyward extorted a businessman by soliciting payments in exchange for his official action as a City Councilman. In the second scheme, Heyward conspired with Mike A. Brown and Aaron Hicks to solicit and accept bribes from Aaron Hicks—working on behalf of a company with business before North Charleston City Council—in exchange for his support of the rezoning of the Baker Hospital site. In the third scheme, Heyward conspired with Donavan Moten and Michelle Stent-Hilton to embezzle taxpayer funds from North Charleston. Heyward agreed to support Moten and Stent-Hilton’s applications, submitted on behalf of their non-profits, for violence reduction grants. In exchange, Moten and Stent-Hilton each agreed to pay Heyward $20,000. Thereafter, Heyward conspired with Rose Lorenzo to launder the funds to conceal the nature and source of the kickbacks.
Previously, co-defendants Aaron Charles-Lee Hicks and Hason Fields were sentenced. Rose Lorenzo pleaded guilty for her role in the conspiracy, and her sentencing will be scheduled at a future date.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Heyward to 72 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. He was ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse prosecuted the case.
###
7 Charged in $550K SCDC Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a nine-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging two people in a $550,000 bribery scheme involving an SCDC corrections officer and two SCDC inmates and their family members and acquaintances. Five others have waived indictment and agreed to plead guilty to their roles in the in the scheme.
The following individuals were charged in the Indictment:- Courtney Briggs, 39, of Sumter County, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Larry Williamson, 51, a former inmate incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, five counts of honest services wire fraud, one count of using an interstate facility to facilitate bribery, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of marijuana.
The following individuals were charged by Information and have agreed to plead guilty:
- Lowanda Atkinson, 52, of Kershaw County, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Atkinson served as a corrections officer in SCDC and was assigned to Lee Correctional Institution.
- Jason Brown, 43, an SCDC inmate, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Adriana Conyers, 37, of Sumter County, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Christopher Hickman, 46, of Richland County, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
- Mary Ann Hickman-Brown, 64, of Clarendon County, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.
According to court documents, Lowanda Atkinson worked as a corrections officer at SCDC from 2007 until 2023. At the time of her resignation, she held the rank of Corporal and was assigned to the property room at Lee Correctional Institution (Lee), where she was entrusted to maintain inmate property, search the property for contraband, and enforce contraband laws and policy.
Atkinson is alleged to have accepted more than $550,000 in bribes from inmates Jason Brown and Williamson, and Jason Brown’s family and associates in exchange for smuggling contraband. Atkinson allegedly smuggled phones, phone accessories, tobacco, and marijuana into Lee so that Jason Brown and Williamson could sell and distribute the contraband to other inmates. Atkinson is alleged to have received a portion of the cash proceeds from the contraband sales and bribes through Cash App, Zelle, and Apple Cash. It is alleged that Atkinson spent the money on a luxury SUV, designer purchases, and thousands of dollars in cosmetic procedures.
Each of the defendants face up to 20 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Samantha Usher are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
North Charleston Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Leonard Bernard Gregory, 40, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a federal drug trafficking offense involving methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Evidence presented in court showed that on Oct. 29, 2024, investigators conducting surveillance in Charleston County stopped a vehicle Gregory was riding in. During the stop, officers found Gregory carrying bagged quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cocaine, along with more than $2,000 in cash. Gregory repeatedly attempted to destroy the drugs as officers took him into custody.
That same day, investigators searched a residence Gregory used on Bonaparte Street in North Charleston. Inside, they found additional methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine on top of the kitchen cabinets, a mechanical pill press and molds used to manufacture drugs, digital scales, and additional cash. Officers also recovered three firearms concealed in a duffel bag in the residence.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel sentenced Gregory to 180 months in federal prison, to be followed by four years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Charleston Police Department, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, and the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow prosecuted the case.###
Williston Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Demetrius McIlwain, 52, of Williston, has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that deputies with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office responded to a location looking for a suspect alleged to have committed domestic violence. During their investigation, deputies found McIlwain in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle and a woman in the passenger seat. The deputy attempted to identify McIlwain to determine if he was involved in the incident, but McIlwain refused to cooperate. When deputies asked McIlwain to step out of the vehicle, he told them that there was a shotgun in the vehicle, then he immediately drove away. After McIlwain tried to evade the deputies, he wrecked his truck and ran.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies found an AR style pistol in the front seat, a shotgun in the back seat, and a third firearm in a toolbox in the vehicle. Deputies also found a small amount of fentanyl in the driver’s side cupholder. The passenger later identified McIlwain as the driver, and deputies further connected him to the vehicle from paperwork found inside of the truck. McIlwain was later arrested and admitted he was the driver of the vehicle.
McIlwain was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based upon prior criminal convictions for grand larceny, burglary, criminal sexual conduct, malicious injury to personal property, and assault and battery with intent to kill.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced McIlwain to 135 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.###
Richland County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — David Omar Echevarria, 41, of Richland County has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for drug conspiracy.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the FBI learned that Echevarria was receiving cocaine shipments from Puerto Rico to North and South Carolina. Once the packages were received, Echevarria would distribute both small and large amounts of cocaine to local dealers. During their investigation, the FBI made several purchases of cocaine from Echevarria. In total, the FBI estimates that Echevarria distributed more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
United States District Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Echevarria to 120 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.###
Columbia Felon Indicted for Illegally Possessing Gun Connected to 2025 Shooting IncidentRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Columbia returned a single-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Jeremiah Antwon Tyleek Drawhorn, 23, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to statements made in court, on June 27, 2025, Drawhorn fired multiple rounds at a group of individuals in the Colony Apartments. When arrested on warrants for charges stemming from that incident, Drawhorn had a 9 mm pistol and ammunition in the car he was driving. Further investigation revealed that Drawhorn’s girlfriend had recently purchased the firearm and that the firearm had been used in the June 27 shooting.
Drawhorn has prior convictions for domestic violence, unlawful carrying of a firearm, assault and battery, among other offenses. His criminal history prohibits Drawhorn from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Drawhorn faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. Drawhorn is currently detained pending trial.
Drawhorn also participated in the April 2025 Ceasefire program hosted by the City of Columbia Police Department. The Ceasefire program identifies prior offenders who are at risk of future firearms offenses and introduces them to community resources such as substance abuse treatment and employment services. During participation in the program, law enforcement emphasizes the likelihood of future state and federal prosecution if participants, like Drawhorn, reoffend.
This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Columbia Police Department, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Timmons is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Horry County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Guns and DrugsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Quentin Raymar Price, 32, of Longs, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl and possession of firearms by a felon.
In late 2024 and early 2025, the Horry County Police Department (HCPD) conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Price during a drug trafficking investigation. In total, Price sold 60 grams of fentanyl to the HCPD.
On March 24, 2025, members of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force went to an apartment on Polo Rd. in Columbia to arrest Price on warrants related to the HCPD investigation. While arresting Price, officers observed marijuana in the apartment and obtained a search warrant. During the search warrant, officers recovered two firearms, 53 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, $7,250 in cash and personal items belonging to Price.
Price has a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine which prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. During the investigation, the FBI determined Price was an active gang member.
United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Price to 80 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Price was also required to forfeit $7,250.00 in cash and over $90,000.00 worth of jewelry.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Horry County Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case.###
Lexington County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — De’Marionne Zaquann Miller, 22, of Lexington, has been sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing the firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on June 14, 2025, deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to an apartment after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident.
While deputies were on their way to the location, they learned that Miller had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. As law enforcement arrived on scene, Miller ran out of the apartment with an AK-style rifle and a backpack. When deputies caught up with Miller, he did not have the rifle, but after arresting Miller, the deputies retraced his steps and located the AK-style firearm.
In the seized backpack, deputies located cash, numerous individual bags of marijuana, and two cellphones. A subsequent search of the apartment revealed a large vacuum sealed bag of marijuana, a digital drug scale, and ammunition. Miller is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon prior convictions for escape and unlawful carrying of a pistol.
United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Miller to 111 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.Federal Jury Convicts Saluda County Man and Charlotte, NC Woman for $25M Wire Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Demani Jawara Bosket, 51, of Saluda, South Carolina and his niece, Tanya Lashawn Bosket, 53, of Charlotte, North Carolina have been convicted by a federal jury following seven days of trial. Both Boskets were found guilty of one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Demani Bosket was found guilty of six separate counts of wire fraud, and Tanya Bosket was found guilty of four counts of wire fraud.
Evidence introduced at trial showed that foreign entities conducted a campaign of business email compromises (BECs) targeting companies across the United States. In these BEC frauds, the foreign entities would gain access to a business user’s email account. The foreign entities would monitor email communications in search of upcoming large transactions. Once they identified a large transaction, the foreign entities would send false email messages to the companies and direct payments to bank accounts controlled by the fraudsters. Multiple victims testified during the trial that a variety of real estate transactions, vendor payments, loan disbursements, and even an inheritance transfer were compromised and diverted away from the intended recipient.
The scheme was dependent on US-based bank accounts to receive the fraudulently obtained funds. Evidence produced during the trial showed that Demani Bosket was a US-based recruiter and manager of the fraud ring. Demani Bosket instructed other individuals, including Tanya Bosket, to register sham businesses with state authorities and then open business accounts at multiple banks. Once a business was targeted in a BEC scheme, the funds would be deposited or transferred into bank accounts controlled by the fraud ring. Demani Bosket would then direct the others to quickly drain the funds from the account by cash withdrawal and cashier’s checks. The funds would be transferred and withdrawn through multiple accounts to stymie the banks and victims of the fraud from recovering the funds. Demani Bosket and other members of the fraud ring would retain a portion of the funds before sending the funds overseas. Between 2020 and 2024, the scheme bilked over $25 million from individuals and businesses in the United States. The United States Secret Service was able to recover approximately $2.5 million to return to victims.“This case involved a sophisticated transnational fraud ring that stole more than $25 million from victims across the country – targeting everything from real estate closings to inheritance transfers,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The jury saw through this scheme and rendered the right verdict. Our office will always prioritize protecting South Carolinians and all Americans from financial predators who exploit trust and technology for person gain.”
“This verdict underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting American businesses and individuals from complex, organized cyber enabled fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The Boskets were part of a scheme that siphoned more than $25 million from victims across the country, exploiting trust, technology, and the financial system for personal gain. Thanks to the diligent work of IRS-CI special agents and our law enforcement partners, the perpetrators will be held accountable. We will continue to pursue those who engage in business email compromise schemes and ensure they face justice.”
The majority of those indicted in the conspiracy entered guilty pleas to wire fraud conspiracy for their roles in the fraud ring prior to the end of trial. Those defendants are Jahbir Rolando Fowle, 45, of Charlotte, North Carolina; Raymone Tyshay Scott Sr., 49, of Jacksonville, Florida; Michael Bevans-Silva, 39, of Savannah, Georgia; Carlise Roland, 33, of Auburn, Washington; Daniel Alexander Edwards, 52, of Jacksonville, Florida; Danny Heard, 42, of Jacksonville, Florida; and Jamian Butler, 36, of Jacksonville, Florida.
Demani Bosket faces a maximum penalty of 30 years, a fine of up to $50,000,000 and restitution. Tanya Bosket faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, a fine of up to $50,000,000 and restitution. U.S. District Judge Sherri Lydon presided over the trial and will sentence Demani and Tanya Bosket after receiving and reviewed a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development – Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI Columbia Field Office, and United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. DeWayne Pearson and A. Lothrop Morris prosecuted the case.Legal Permanent Resident Indicted for Illegally Voting in 2024 ElectionRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Ekam Monfum, 38, a legal permanent resident and non-citizen living in Rock Hill, for illegally voting as an alien.
The indictment alleges that Monfum came to the United States in December 2022 and obtained status as a legal permanent resident because he is married to a United States citizen. Despite not being a citizen, in August 2024, a registration to vote was submitted through the registration portal with the South Carolina Election Commission in Monfum’s name. The process requires the registrant to affirm that they are a United States citizen. Therefore, Monfum voted in the 2024 election.
Monfum faces a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Monfum will have an arraignment scheduled in the next few weeks.
The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield is prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Guns and DrugsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Christopher Kentrell Jones, 33, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine and two controlled purchases of firearms from Jones at a residence on Colleton St. in Columbia. During one of the purchases, Jones sold both a firearm and approximately one ounce of cocaine in a single transaction. A grand jury indicted Jones for charges related to the controlled purchase, and when members of the ATF and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jones on that indictment, he was found in possession of 125 oxycodone pills and approximately 1 ounce of crack cocaine.
While Jones was in custody on his federal charges, he used phone calls and messages to recruit a coconspirator to continue to traffic cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana on his behalf from his residence in Columbia. ATF executed a search warrant on Jones’ residence and found approximately 1 ounce of crack cocaine, 5 ounces of cocaine, 22 ounces of marijuana, and five firearms.
Jones has prior convictions for possession of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Christopher Jones to 148 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall is prosecuting the case.###
Columbia Men Sentenced to Federal Prison After Breaking into Cars, Stealing Guns During ConcertRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Damion Walker, 25, and Malcolm Price, 38, both of Columbia have been sentenced to federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on Nov. 18, 2022, Price and Walker were present on the campus of the University of South Carolina during a concert at the Colonial Life Arena. An officer with the University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD) patrolled the area near the arena and saw Walker and Price near a vehicle with a broken window. The officer entered the parking lot to investigate, and Price and Walker left the parking lot with Price driving. USCPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found Price and Walker in possession of four firearms, a window punch tool, and various personal effects stolen from multiple vehicles. Further investigation by USCPD found that Price, Walker, and a co-conspirator traveled to various parking lots around the Colonial Life Arena, broke into multiple vehicles, and stole firearms and other personal items belonging to attendees of the concert.
Price had prior convictions for strong arm robbery and domestic violence 2nd degree. Walker had prior convictions for failure to stop for a blue light and multiple convictions for breaking into motor vehicles and grand larceny of $10,000 or more. These convictions prevented them both from possessing firearms under federal law.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Damion Walker to 27 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Judge Lydon sentenced Malcolm Price to 70 months imprisonment to be followed by a two-year term of court ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives., the University of South Carolina Police Department, and the City of Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case.###
Member of an International Money Laundering Organization Pleads Guilty to Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking.
According to court documents and proceedings, since at least 2021, Puquan Huang, 50, a Chinese national residing in Buford, Georgia, was a member of an international money laundering organization that engaged in a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme.
Huang and his co-conspirators routinely traveled throughout the United States, including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, to collect bulk cash generated from the sale of drugs in the United States, including fentanyl and cocaine, from drug traffickers and distributors. Due to the illicit nature of the transactions, Huang and his co-conspirators confirmed their authorization to collect drug cash not by using their names or personal details, but by presenting verification codes, which were oftentimes unique serial numbers taken from U.S. currency notes. To avoid detection by law enforcement, Huang and his co-conspirators met with drug trafficking representatives at odd hours in atypical locations, such as gas stations and parking lots, for very short periods, and refrained from using traditional banking systems, such as wire transfers. Pickups of drug cash were typically coordinated by and occurred at the direction of co-conspirators.
Using aliases, Huang and his co-conspirators primarily communicated on encrypted platforms, such as WeChat, with co-conspirators located in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and other foreign countries to arrange for the laundering of the drug proceeds by purchasing bulk electronics in the United States and exporting them to co-conspirators in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
Huang conspired to launder several millions of dollars of drug proceeds, with money pickups and exchanges typically ranging between approximately $80,000 and $200,000. As part of the conspiracy, law enforcement stopped Huang transporting approximately $272,000 in drug proceeds in North Carolina.
Huang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina, and Administrator Terrance C. “Terry” Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.
The DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office and Atlanta, Georgia Division Office, Homeland Security Task Force/959 Group is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA’s office in Columbia, South Carolina; the FBI’s offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; and state and local law enforcement in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Stephanie Williamson of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit investigates and prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.
Illegal Aliens Sentenced for Distribution of Kilogram Quantities of Fentanyl and Heroin in Myrtle BeachRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. – Federico Parra Lopez, 32, and Marcos Flores Aquino, 25, have been ordered to serve lengthy sentences in federal prison after being convicted of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin in the Myrtle Beach area. These sentencings follow those of their co-defendants, Miguel Angulo Perez, 22, and Omar Sanchez Aquino, 33, who were previously sentenced in this case. All four men are from Mexico and were in the United States illegally.
Evidence presented at the sentencing hearings showed that the men were part of a drug trafficking organization that originated in Mexico and operated in Myrtle Beach during 2023 and 2024. After being sent to South Carolina from Mexico, Parra Lopez served as a manager of the operation here and was responsible for maintaining an apartment in Myrtle Beach were kilogram quantities of fentanyl and heroin were received for further distribution. Parra Lopez was also held accountable for possessing a firearm that was used to protect the drugs at the apartment. Flores Aquino, Angulo Perez, and Sanchez Aquino served as drivers who were responsible for repackaging and delivering the drugs at Parra Lopez’s direction and collecting drug proceeds to be sent back to Mexico. The entire operation was shut down after a joint federal, state, and local investigation resulted in a federal indictment in October 2024.
Parra Lopez was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison, which includes a five-year sentence for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Flores Aquino and Angulo Perez were both sentenced to 46 months imprisonment, and Sanchez Aquino was sentenced to 37 months. Each of the men will be deported upon completion of their prison sentences. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in partnership with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.
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Leader of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Supplying Dozens of Kilograms of Fentanyl, Heroin, and Cocaine from Mexican Cartel into Horry CountyRead the Press Release
FLORENCE, S.C. – Rafael Contreras Ramos, 40, of Mexico, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances in South Carolina.
Evidence presented at his change of plea hearing showed that Contreras was a leader of an international drug trafficking organization that was responsible for bringing more than 40 kilograms of cocaine, 14 kilograms of fentanyl, and 1 kilogram of heroin into South Carolina for further distribution. The organization operated primarily in Tucson, Arizona, and had ties to Las Vegas, Nevada, Burlington, North Carolina, and Horry County, South Carolina. The organization was supplied with narcotics and support by a Mexican cartel.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation identified Contreras’ organization as a source of supply to a local drug network operating in and around Horry County during a joint investigation with local, state, and federal agencies in 2021. Thereafter, agents confirmed through multiple overt and covert investigative techniques and operations that Contreras and his associates had been trafficking narcotics into Horry County since at least 2016 until its operation was disrupted by federal charges in 2022. Contreras and his associates are also responsible for collecting more than $5 million in drug sale proceeds during this time.
“With our Homeland Security Task Force partners, we are stopping the influx of dangerous, illegal narcotics at the source,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Dismantling drug organizations like this makes South Carolina safer.”
“The defendant played a direct role in flooding Horry County with illegal drugs, and the consequences were that of violence on our streets, addiction in our neighborhoods, and real harm to people,” said FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners are sending a strong message: we’re not only investigating individual dealers. We’re pursuing entire networks from local distribution all the way to the source, no matter their location.”
Contreras was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the United States for prosecution. He is currently detained awaiting sentencing. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson accepted his guilty plea and will sentence Contreras after a presentence report is prepared by the United States Probation Office. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life imprisonment. He will be deported to Mexico after serving his sentence.This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, along with Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Myrtle Beach Police Department, and Horry County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett McMillian is prosecuting the case.###
York County Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchasing FirearmsRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gregory Tischuk, 66, of York County, has pleaded guilty to straw purchasing firearms.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Baltimore Field Office learned that Gregory Tischuk was trafficking guns from Fort Mill to Baltimore, Maryland, through a gun trafficker operating in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The gun trafficker could not legally own or purchase firearms. An undercover ATF agent began buying guns from the gun trafficker in Baltimore and Charlotte. Over the course of their investigation, the undercover agent purchased approximately 106 guns, with many of the guns coming from North and South Carolina. Six of the firearms purchased were traced back to Tischuk, a resident of Fort Mill.
In several text messages, the gun trafficker asked Tischuk for a Glock 27 pistol for the trafficker’s wife. Tischuk indicated that he did not have one but one could get one. The trafficker then agreed to sell the undercover agent a Glock 27 pistol. On March 21, 2024, the undercover agent bought 10 guns in Maryland from the gun trafficker, including a Glock 27. The Glock 27 was traced back to Tischuk. The trafficker purchased the gun from Tischuk on March 15, 2024 in Prosperity, South Carolina.
In April 2024, Tischuk agreed to sell the gun trafficker another Glock 27. Tischuk purchased another Glock 27 on April 4, 2024, as part of a multiple purchase of firearms. It was later recovered by the ATF on April 30, 2024, in Baltimore.
As evidenced by the text messages, Tischuk knew he was not buying the firearm for himself when he filled out the ATF Form 4473. Tischuk made a false declaration when filling out the ATF Form 4473.
Investigators interviewed Tischuk after the execution of a search warrant at his home. Tischuk admitted he knew the gun trafficker and had sold him multiple firearms, specifically more than one Glock 27. He admitted he straw purchased the Glock 27 with the intent to immediately sell it to the subject for profit. Investigators seized more than 100 firearms during the search of his home.
Tischuk faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Tischuk after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.Lexington County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Brittany Nicole Miles, 37, of Lexington, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department utilized a confidential informant to conduct a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and a firearm from Miles. Miles agreed to sell approximately 2 ounces of methamphetamine and a firearm to the informant.
Miles directed the informant to meet her at her public storage unit in West Columbia. The informant arrived and Miles and her co-defendant arrived a short time later. Upon arriving, Miles provided the informant with 2 ounces of methamphetamine and a gun.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Miles to 60 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Miles will begin to serve her federal sentence after she is released from serving a state sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.###