21 arrested after Darlington County drug investigation

Twenty-one people have been arrested in connection with a three-month Darlington County Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force investigation.

The investigation led to a series of drug raids that began about 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to a Darlington County Sheriff’s Office press release. The charges against those arrested range from distribution of crack cocaine to simple possession of marijuana.

The suspects arrested during the operation and the charges they face are:

• Dion Patrick Alston, 27, 433 Lawson Road, Darlington, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and simple possession of marijuana.
• Toni Javonta Boone, 20, of 718 Butler St., Hartsville, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
• Yvette Trotter Brown, 45, of 111 Reid St., Darlington, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
• Rex Alford Byrd, 48, of 434 Jasper Ave., Hartsville, distribution of crack cocaine.
• Marcus Shonta Carter, 27, 308 Avenue F, Darlington, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and simple possession of marijuana.
• Tara R. Coogler, 33, of 2224 B Second Loop Road, Florence, distribution of marijuana.
• Russell Weldon Fountain, 40, 1044 N. Rolling Road, Hartsville, onspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
• Ronald Flynn, 44, of 724 Third St., Darlington, three counts of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
• Deshawn Mautese Goins, 18, of 433 Lawson Road, Darlington, simple possession of marijuana.
• Amberly Hunnicutt, 22, of 732 Pinestraw St., Hartsville, two counts of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
• Tommy Lee Jackson, 41, 834 Whiterail Drive, Florence, distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within proximity of a school.
• James Quinton Jacobs, 25, of 212 F. Ave., Darlington, distribution of crack cocaine.
• Sharon Delores McKenzie, 47, 732 Pinestraw St., Hartsville, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and two counts of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.
• Russell Maurice Moses, 20, of 2545 Clement St., Lydia, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
• Jack Randall Newsome, 30, of 1121 Vivian Lane, Florence, distribution of a Schedule III controlled substance.
• Kenneth Frank Newsome Jr., 29, 1201 Lakeview Blvd., Hartsville, distribution of crack cocaine.
• Alvin Joseph Pendergrass, 32, of 817 ½ B St., Hartsville, distribution of crack cocaine.
• Steve Eric Rogers, 44, 336 Philadelphia St., Hartsville, distribution of crack cocaine.
• Desmond Pierre Samuel, 20, of 1575 Winding Ridge Road., Hartsville, two counts of distribution of crack cocaine.
• Garrett Wesley Tucker, 22, of 7868 US. 52 South, Society Hill, possession of crack cocaine.
• Charlene Renee Wallace, 23, of 1314 Ebenezer Road, Darlington, distribution of marijuana.

The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, S.C. Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services and S.C. Department of Natural Resources assisted in the operation.

The Darlington County Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force consists of members of the sheriff’s office, the Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar and Society Hill police departments and 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

After the operation stopped, officials had arrested 21 offenders for charges ranging from distribution of crack cocaine to simple possession of marijuana. All the subjects where taken to the Darlington County Detention Center and are awaiting bond.

“We formed this multi-jurisdictional task force and we are already seeing results from the team work from all the agencies that came together,” Sheriff Wayne Byrd said in the release.  “... I also want to (thank) the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and other agencies for the help they gave us in this operation. Twnety-one drug offenders in jail is only the start for bigger things to come.”