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.

Murrells Inlet Man Sentenced for Drug Dealing

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated today that Xavier Fabio Reyes, age 43, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute OxyCodone. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Florence sentenced Reyes to 33 months imprisonment and three years supervised release.

Reyes admitted he sold Oxycodone and Hydrocodone to undercover agents on four occasions in July 2008 in Horry County. Reyes was arrested the following month when attempting to negotiate an additional sale of 50 Oxycodone tablets to an undercover agent.

The case was investigated by agents of the Horry County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.

DRUG SUPPLIER OF GANGSTA KILLER BLOODS SENTENCED TO 480 MONTHS

United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins announced that Jarvis McKenzie, a/k/a “Jay Rock,” age 31, of Columbia, was sentenced today in federal court to 480 months imprisonment on drug and firearm charges. McKenzie was also sentenced to ten years of supervised release, which will follow his 480-month sentence. A federal jury convicted McKenzie in April 2008, following a four-day trial before United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson. McKenzie was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of crack and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; three counts of use of a telephone to further a drug felony; and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case arose out of an investigation by the FBI-led Columbia Violent Gang Task Force into the illegal activities of members of the Gangsta Killer Bloods set of the Bloods street gang. The FBI obtained information from confidential sources, cooperating defendants, and federally issued wiretaps. Twenty-four members and associates of the Bloods gang were convicted as part of this investigation.

The investigation identified McKenzie as one of the primary suppliers of cocaine and crack cocaine to the gang members. Evidence showed that during the conspiracy, McKenzie was involved in the distribution of over 65 kilograms of cocaine and more than 34 kilograms of crack cocaine. In January 2007, federal agents executed nine federal search warrants at various residences, including McKenzie's. Agents seized over $250,000 in cash from McKenzie's residence, as well as two automobiles and two firearms. Over $320,000 in cash was seized overall in the nine searches. McKenzie is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and ammunition based upon his prior state convictions for involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of crack.

This case was investigated by agents of the FBI's Columbia Violent Gang Task Force, as part of Project CeaseFire. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey D. Haynes and Jane B. Taylor of the Columbia office.

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.

LADSON DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated today that KENNETH JOSEPH JOHNSON, age 40, of Ladson, South Carolina, was sentenced on Wednesday in federal court in Charleston after having been convicted by a jury last June of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 5 Kilograms of Cocaine. Chief United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced JOHNSON to life in prison. Because JOHNSON had several previous felony drug convictions and was convicted of conspiring to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, his life sentence was mandatory under federal law.

Evidence presented at the trial established that JOHNSON was arrested on August 28, 2006, in rural Berkeley County after being found sitting in a vehicle with nearly 250 grams of cocaine. Further investigation revealed that JOHNSON had been involved over the past several years in a drug conspiracy with other local drug dealers to include Henry Bennett, another Berkeley County resident who was convicted at trial in April of 2008 of similar offenses and also sentenced to life in prison. The trial testimony revealed that JOHNSON was involved in the distribution of nearly 50 kilograms of cocaine in the Charleston area in the several years before his arrest.

Prior to his arrest for this offense, JOHNSON had been convicted on five earlier occasions for drug related offenses. Two of those convictions were in federal court.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Alston C. Badger of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.