Florence gang leader sentenced to 15 years in prison
Florence County Detention Center
Metris Deon Ham
FLORENCE — One of the men who led a gang responsible for shootings and other crimes in Florence since 2004 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell sentenced Metris Deon Ham, also known as “Crazy Lil Daddy,” 32, on federal drug conspiracy charges, U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins said.
Ham was the leader of the West Marion Up Top Soldiers street gang. His co-defendants were sentenced in September.
The co-defendants, members or affiliates of the West Marion Up Top Soldiers street gang in Florence, are Willie Donnell Burrell, also known as “Destroya,” 34; Levester Tyyon Woods, also known as “Main,” 23; Antwan Lorenzo Woods, also known as “Twan,” 21; Jyquan Antonio Woods, also known as “Cheese,” 20; Tyquan Jamar Johnson, also known as “Lil Ty,” 23; Caryone Corry McDonald, 28; Charles Ray Thomas II, also known as “Worm,” 24; and Demtrius Lashawn Capers, also known as “Pee Wee,” 24.
The gang’s leaders, Ham and Burrell, faced mandatory sentences of at least 20 and 10 years, respectively, and could have received life in prison.
The other men faced five years to life in prison depending on their prior convictions and involvement in the drug conspiracy case.
Evidence against the defendants included multiple drug buys and seizures of guns and drugs from gang members.
Law enforcement officers also obtained DVDs featuring rap videos of gang members from across the state. The West Marion Up Top Soldiers’ videos glorified gang membership, violence and drug dealing and featured elementary school children flashing the gang’s “WM” symbol, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case was investigated by the Florence Police Department, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the 12th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the FBI and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rose Mary Parham of Florence prosecuted the case.
Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said in an earlier report there are at least 20 known gangs in the city of Florence, and the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation after an eruption of violence about two years ago.
Parham said all the suspects were arrested as a result of a criminal complaint signed by a magistrate.
Wilkins said this is just one of many federal gang prosecutions in response to the gang shootings, violence, and drug dealing in and around the Florence area.
Reader Reactions
Ladie this is not myspace or facebook,if you want to argue the facts back and forth then you should go to either one of the places above.Now as far as the article goes on that gang arrest the law is the law,and those of us who break the law should be punished.Its about time for our young people be it my child or yours to be delt with.As for most of us parents we can raise our children to the very best of our ability,if they get out of control and you’ve done your part then put them in god hands.Just do what you have to do as a parent and leave the rest to god.If you don’t know the wrath of god comes down on the children of disobedience.If they’re wrong then its better to see them in jail then dead on the streets.god bless you all.
It’s a shame that so many black children have such awful parents.
Lisa, you definitely are dumb and ignorant and I’m pretty sure that you aren’t a successful person either. You probably have kids in jail and have different babies daddies. Or maybe you’re jealous of the girls who do have children because no one wants your ugly self!! Where does the article refer to anything about women, kids, or public assitance?
That just proves that you are racist. Thank God that this posting is anonymous because someone would definitely walk the dog on you. You need to reevaluate yourself and maybe even to go church. Racism should not exist in America anymore, but it’s ignorant people like you who just can’t let it go. Wake up and smell the roses . Obama is President now, and THINGS WILL CHANGE!
LPGoats posted:
Worried meth, and playing a race card? Where in this article does it metion that the men arrested are of color? It shows one picture of a black man, but mentions nothing of the other people arrested.
Don’t make accusations and assumptions. Deal with the facts. Point of the story has been pointed out in previous comments. More criminals have been arrested and taken off the steets. It doesn’t matter their race, religion, or creed. Crime is Crime, and it should always be punished.
LP, I was just wondering how many white men do you know that are named Levester Tyyon, Antwan, Jyquan, Jamar, Caryone, and Demtrius Lashawn? You are correct when you say that it doesn’t matter about their race. Criminals should be in prison, period. Especially these punk gang bangers that take advantage of older people and people that can’t defend themselves. Let one of these punks come into my neighborhood and they would be dealt with accordingly and I don’t really care what color they are.
Thank You!! Finally some one with sence!! If people (and you know who you are) can’t see these articles for what they are instead of ALWAYS bringing race into it PLEASE keep to your self!! You are the reason “The South still has race issues in the first place!! All boils down to Iggnorance!! Stop looking at race and look at the fact that the crimes were committed, because if they didnt commit the crimes guess what honeys the wouldnt have gotten ARESSTED!! Now Grow up and as long as you are living right and doing your part in society you would not have to PULL THE RACE CARD!! Just slack!!
In spite of the fact that it is never good news to hear of anyone getting sentenced to prison, you cannot deny that these fellas seemed to be doing more harm than good on the streets. Has anyone with a posted comment been victimized, or has children who have been victimized by so called gang members? If you have experienced this, then you will understand what these arrests ultimately mean for the safety of both kids and adults in this city. It is less about race and more about the protection of others’ civil and human rights. Let go of the pettiness and see this for what it really is. I pray for the parents of all those involved in these cases. If they did their jobs raising these “boys” to the best of their abilities, then it is they who are the true victims.
niknik : I ain’t hating on no black peoples sister. It’s all good.
And I agrees with you ... there are a lot of uneducated young white and black girls having to many kids.
I’ll be praying for all of them.
Peace out niknik!
Lisa, I have had enough of you. there just as many white girls having 3 and 4 kids that are also getting help from the government. So what is your problem and why do you always have to hate on black people. The reason racism is still so evident is people like you not a race card. Why do you think black people are not welcome to the same opportunities as other races? I know that you will have something to say that will prove that you are surely a racist.
I do not think there is any question as to what color the gang members are here.
Once again, we have blacks on this thread trying to make a case for racism. This is not about race. I was just making it clear that the wannabe black gang members should go to NY City and see how long they last.
The reason racism is still so evident in the south is because of so many blacks using the race card. It’s way to easy to blame somebody else than it is to take responsibility for your own actions.
All you black girls having 3 and 4 kids…WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? You cannot possible raise them without government assistance.
Worried meth, and playing a race card? Where in this article does it metion that the men arrested are of color? It shows one picture of a black man, but mentions nothing of the other people arrested.
Don’t make accusations and assumptions. Deal with the facts. Point of the story has been pointed out in previous comments. More criminals have been arrested and taken off the steets. It doesn’t matter their race, religion, or creed. Crime is Crime, and it should always be punished.
Advertisement