3 Midlands Residents Sentenced in Drug Case

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that three defendants were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a Columbia-based drug distribution conspiracy. Jimmy Dean, age 28, of Columbia, led the conspiracy, which involved transporting cocaine from Atlanta and supplying it and marijuana to various drug dealers in the Midlands. Agents seized six firearms and several cars used by the defendants to further their drug dealing enterprise.

The following defendants were sentenced by the United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie:

Jimmy DEAN, of Columbia, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison;

Michael LOGGINS, age 27, of Swansea, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison; and

Laura SURLES, age 26, of West Columbia, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.

In addition to the prison sentences, the defendants forfeited cash, cars, firearms, and other assets used in the conspiracy or purchased with drug money.

The investigation was a joint effort of the Cayce Police Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Assistant United States Attorney James Leventis of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.

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.

DRUG DEALING BROTHERS FACE AT LEAST TEN YEARS IN PRISON

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Hakeem Abduk Johnson, 27, and Raheem Abdus Salam Johnson, 27, of Cheraw, pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to sell crack and powder cocaine. The brothers face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and a maximum possible penalty of life imprisonment. United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell accepted the pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence in the case established that a confidential informant working with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office made two purchases of crack from the Johnson brothers in February of 2008. In August, deputies went to the Johnsons’ residence to serve arrest warrants, and found Hakeem Johnson inside the house with cocaine and a pistol in one of the bedrooms.

The case was investigated by the Marlboro and Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Offices and agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case as part of Project CeaseFire, an initiative of the United States Attorneys Office that seeks to aggressively prosecute gun-related crimes.

ALI AL-MARRI TRANSFERRED TO U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE CUSTODY

WASHINGTON – Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, 43, has been released from detention by the Secretary of Defense and is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today, the Justice Department announced.

Al-Marri was served with an arrest warrant this morning at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Charleston, South Carolina, and taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance at 10 a.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert S. Carr in federal court in Charleston.

On Feb. 26, 2009, a federal grand jury in the Central District of Illinois returned a two-count indictment charging al-Marri with providing material support to al-Qaeda and conspiring with others to provide material support to al-Qaeda. The public is reminded that the charges contained in an indictment are mere allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

The United States will seek to keep al-Marri detained pending his transfer to Illinois and his trial. After his initial court appearance today, al-Marri will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his next court appearance.

MYRTLE BEACH MAN ADMITS MARRIAGE FRAUD CONSPIRACY

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Timothy Staie, age 26, of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will sentence Staie at a later date.

In July 2006, federal agents initiated an investigation into a marriage fraud scheme involving U.S. citizens and Israeli nationals residing in Horry County, South Carolina. The investigation , dubbed ”Operation Wedding Planner,” revealed that U.S. citizens were being paid $1,400.00 to $4,000.00 to marry the Israelis, who would then apply for permanent resident status in the United States based on the marriages to U.S. citizens.

Evidence presented in court established that Hanna Logasi was a citizen of Israel, trying to become a U.S. citizen. Staie was paid to marry Logasi on April 19, 2005, in Horry County. The couple then filed forms with immigration authorities, claiming that they lived together as husband and wife. Staie admitted in court that he never lived with Logasi, and that the marriage was arranged only for Logasi to receive authorization to stay in the country.

Logasi is a fugitive in the case.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Staie can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for five years.

The case was investigated by agents of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.

Atlanta Man Convicted of Supplying Spartanburg Drug Dealers

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Latrone Antonio Hicks, age 37, of Atlanta, was convicted in federal court in Spartanburg of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. United States District Judge Henry Floyd presided over the trial and will sentence Hicks at a later date.

Evidence presented at trial established that Hicks paid couriers to deliver cocaine from Atlanta to drug dealers in Spartanburg, where the drugs were distributed either as powder cocaine or crack cocaine. Hicks was proven to be the major supplier to an upstate distribution network that consisted of approximately 50 individuals, led by Michael Jacobs of Spartanburg. The jury found that Hicks was responsible for supplying 72 kilograms of cocaine and 36 kilograms of crack cocaine to Jacobs and his associates. Other members of the conspiracy, including Jacobs, have previously been prosecuted.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Hicks can receive is a fine of $4,000,000 and imprisonment for life.

The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Spartanburg Department of Public Safety, and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Regan A. Pendleton and William Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.

Former DSS Finance Director Charged with Embezzling $5.5 Million

U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that former Department of Social Services Finance Director Paul Timothy Moore, age 61, of Columbia, and nine other individuals, were charged in a federal Complaint with theft of federal program funds, mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, for their respective roles in an alleged scheme to embezzle more than $5.5 million dollars from DSS.

The Complaint and arrest warrants were signed this morning by United States Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett in Columbia. An affidavit presented by a United States Secret Service Agent outlined the scheme, in which Moore allegedly used his position as the agency’s Finance Director to authorize the issuance of approximately 761 DSS checks between May 2004 and October 2008, in the approximate average amount of $7,000.00 each. The checks were made payable to names allegedly provided by a co-conspirator, Jonathon Moses, age 42, of Columbia, who recruited the named individuals to cash the checks and split the proceeds.

Eight other people were likewise identified as having cashed some of the checks and /or having recruited others into the scheme: Herbert McKie, age 27, Aisha Leheva Crumpton, age 23, Tyra L. Goodson, age 36, Nova Kathleen Johnson, age 40, and Sandra Denease Smith, age 45, all of Columbia; and Gwendolyn Robinson, age 41, Ortyse S. Mazone, age 37, and Calandra Fabary Thomas, age 38, all of Aiken.

Moore and Moses were arrested this morning and remain in custody until making an initial appearance in federal court in Columbia at 2:30 today.

Wilkins said he expects additional arrests. “Clearly many other people appear to be involved. Many people may have cashed these checks, based on information we have obtained thus far in the investigation,” said Wilkins. “I would encourage anyone with information to contact the Secret Service here in Columbia. I would also strongly encourage anyone who is involved to come forward; it would certainly be in their best interest.” The phone number for the Columbia office of the Secret Service is (803) 772-4015.

The maximum possible penalty for theft of federal program funds and conspiracy is ten years and a fine of $250,000.00; mail fraud and wire fraud each carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years and a $250,000.00 fine.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case is being investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and SLED, and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Debbie Barbier of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The U.S. Attorney stated that all charges are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.