Marion County drug unit arrests 34

Marion County Sheriff Mark Richardson said Friday that the county’s drug unit arrested 34 people on 66 charges in drug investigations in February, March, April and the first half of May.

According to Richardson in a press release about the details of some of those arrests, “The (county’s combined) drug unit is working hard in it’s efforts to control the illegal drug trade in Marion County.” Richardson urged citizens to take a stand against illegal drugs and to report any suspicious drug activity to the unit by phone, in confidence, at (843) 423-2056.

After receiving numerous citizen complaints of alcohol sales to minors at Sawyer’s Convenience Store in Marion, agents of the unit conducted an undercover buy at the store on March 20. As a result. agents charged Chandrakantbhai Patel with sale of beer to a person under the age of 21.

Agents of the unit had been receiving several complaints about a large amount of traffic in the Shady Pines Community outside the city limits of Marion and conducted several controlled undercover buys during the past several months. As a result of those buys, agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Enoch Burgess IV on Coastal Court on April 9.

Agents seized more than a pound of marijuana and a firearm from the residence. Burgess was arrested and charged with three counts of distribution of marijuana, three counts of distribution of a controlled substance within proximity to a school, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within proximity to a school. Burgess was taken to the county’s Detention Center, where he was released on a $ 16,000 bond for all eight charges.

The drug unit executed a search warrant on May 15 at 605 N.E. Front Street in Mullins after receiving numerous complaints of illegal alcohol sales. 
Agents seized 647 cans of beer, 295 bottles of beer, 52 bottles of alcoholic liquors and three firearms. Waldo Percy Tart, 52, of Mullins, was arrested and charged with sales of beer by unlicensed person and unlawful sales of alcoholic liquors.

On May 15, drug unit agents, with the assistance of Marion County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a reverse sting operation in Mullins. An undercover agent from Marion County Combined Drug Unit provided cocaine to two individuals in exchange for money. Donald Brian Fisher, 39, of Nichols, and Lynn C. Grice, 39, of Nichols, were each charged with unlawful purchase of cocaine, first offense.

The following additional people have been arrested after investigations:

Loren W. Allen, 46, of Nichols, charged with possession of cocaine, first offense.

Sherry Ann Billings, 42, of Mullins, charged with distribution of a controlled substance, first offense.

Ronnie Boatwright, 28, of Marion, charged with distribution of marijuana, second offense.

Thomas R. Champion, 29, of Mullins, charged with possession of cocaine, second offense and unlawful carrying of a firearm.

Christopher D. Davis, 27, of Marion, charged with two counts of distribution cocaine base, first offense and unlawful conduct towards a child.

Letron S. Davis, 27, of Marion, charged with distribution of cocaine, first offense and distribution of controlled substance near a school.

Jante L. Eaddy, 32, of Hemmingway, charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful carrying of a firearm and driving under suspension.

Sammy O. Edwards, 24, of Nichols, charged with simple possession of marijuana.

Joshua A. Garner, 25, of Nichols, charged with distribution of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Joshua A. Green, 25, of Marion, charged with distribution of cocaine base, second offense; distribution of a controlled substance near a school;
possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, second offense; and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance near school.

Donna J. Harness, 48, of Marion, charged with distribution of ecstasy, first offense; and distribution of a schedule I, II or III controlled substance, first
offense.

Joshua D. Inglis, 22, of Gresham, charged with simple possession of marijuana.

Parrish V. Legette, 22, of Florence, charged with simple possession of marijuana.

Tony A. Legette, 45, of Marion, charged with distribution of a prescription drug, first offense.

Willie D. Lewis Jr., 32, of Marion, charged with distribution of cocaine, second offense; distribution of marijuana, second offense; and possession of a
controlled substance, second offense.

Demetrise J. Livingston, 24, of Marion, charged with distribution of cocaine base, first offense; and distribution of a controlled substance near a school.

Aaron J. Lucky, 19, of Marion, charged with simple possession of marijuana.

Leverser S. McClam,28, of Marion, charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine base, second offense.

Doni F. McFadden, 31, of Marion, charged with simple possession of marijuana.

Peter A. Murphy, 26, of Marion, charged with distribution of ecstasy, third offense; and distribution of a schedule I, II or III controlled substance, third
offense.

Scott R. Niva, 40, of Marion, charged with possession of cocaine, second offense; no S.C. driver’s license; and unsafe equipped vehicle.

Derrick L. PLatt, 32, of Mullins, charged with trafficking cocaine base, 10 -28 grams, third offense.

Randy Robinson, 28, of Marion, charged with distribution of cocaine base, second offense.

Sammy L. Rogers, 53, of Mullins, charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

Jamie K. Russ, 30, of Mullins, charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine, first offense; and distribution of a controlled substance near school.

Jerry Scott, 23, of Mullins,  charged with distribution of cocaine base, firsts offense; and distribution of a controlled substance near a school.

Rocky L. Smith, 33, of Marion, charged with possession of cocaine, first offense.

Michael T. Williamson, 32, of Mullins, charged with distribution of marijuana, first offense; distribution of a controlled substance near a school and
possession with intent to distribute marijuana, first offense.

Timothy T. Wilson, 35, of Galivants Ferry, charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, first offense.