FLORENCE DRUG DEALERS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

United States Attorney W. Walter Walkins announced today that Jack Robert Odom, age 50, and Roderick Lamart Ford, age 35, both of Florence, pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. In addition, Odom pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Odom faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, and Ford faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Both men face a maximum possible penalty of life imprisonment and will be sentenced by United States District Judge Bryan Harwell at a later date.

Evidence in the case established that on December 13, 2007, an undercover ATF agent bought a firearm from Odom, a convicted felon, at Odom’s Paint and Body Shop on McIver Road. While on federal bond for that offense, Odom sold several ounces of crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Ford, Odom’s drug supplier, was present during the sale.

Odom has prior convictions for Possession of Narcotics, Disorderly Conduct, Contempt of Court, Resisting Arrest, and Battery.

Ford has prior convictions for Possession of Crack, False Information to Police, Failure to Stop for a Blue Light, Receiving Stolen Goods, and Shoplifting.

The case was investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Florence County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobaaco, Firearms, and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence Office.