Two Florence men sentenced for drug trafficking
Published: November 13, 2009
Updated: November 14, 2009
Two Florence men have been sentenced for their role in bringing large amounts of illegal drugs to the Pee Dee, U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins said in a press release issued Friday.
U.S. District Judge R. Bryan Harwell sentenced Quentin David Morris, 27, of Florence, to 30 years in prison and Darryl Demetria Bostic, 35, to 235 months — more than 19 years — in prison.
Morris faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison with a maximum possible penalty of life in prison, while Bostic faced 10 years to life in prison.
For at least six years, Morris and Bostic received kilograms of cocaine from Atlanta on a regular basis then distributed cocaine and crack cocaine in Florence and the surrounding communities.
They are among 17 Pee Dee men who recently pleaded guilty to their involvement in a drug conspiracy spanning the past decade and involving more than 100 kilograms of powder cocaine and crack cocaine.
The men began entering guilty pleas last month; the last plea was entered a week ago, Wilkins said in a previous report.
Other men from Florence who pleaded were Nicholes Kelly Cain, 29; Andre Lavelle Williams, 34; Scotty Brian Anderson, 27; Larry Martin Cain, 37; Marcus Allen McCall, 22; Darel Tarel Mouzon, 22; and Brandon Lafon Robinson, 26.
Men from Hartsville who pleaded were Delante Ronzell Byrd, 37, and Brian Dewayne Brown, 36. Men from Darlington who pleaded were Rodney Bush, 35; Tayron Franklin Hines, 25; and Victor V. James, 34.
Each man faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison with a maximum possible penalty of life in prison.
The remaining three men — Allen Valdoster Fleming, 20, and Rotrelis Lerrel Bruce, 25, of Florence, and Roy Davis Draughn, 26, of Hemingway — face sentences of 10 years to life in prison.
Evidence in the case consisted of undercover drug buys, seizures of drugs and money, and the testimony of other cooperating federal defendants, including gang members from Florence and Darlington counties who were supplied by the group.
After the men were arrested, state and federal agencies noted a dramatic decrease in the cocaine supply in Florence and Darlington counties, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rose Mary Parham, who is prosecuting the case.
The case was investigated by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the Florence Police Department, the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, the State Law Enforcement Division, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Reader Reactions
So with the sentances of 10 years to life they should be out….by Tuesday right?
I would lay money that each one of them started out as juvenile thug wannabes, with most, if not all, well-known by law enforcement. But as with our juvenile justice system, all they get are slaps on the wrists until they reach 18 or finally (and you know it will happen)commit crimes that can allow them to be charged as adults, i.e. murder, rape, etc.
About 17 .22 caliber 2 cent bullets would save the overburdened taxpayers millions of future dollars. As well as sending a better message than a few silly pictures. Or if one shrinks from that simple solution, 17 new ropes @ $5 = $85. We have the means, but sadly lack the necessary intestinal fortitude. And the animals know it.
Right on Zman
That really is a good idea Zman… Of course, some civil rights lawyer would say it probably violated the criminals rights in some way.
Every school should have pictures of these criminals and their crimes and penalties listed so our children have a reason to tell their peers NO when pressured to go down the wrong road.
Along side of this display should be examples of the successes of the ones who rejected the too popular victimization culture that encourages crimes against our society.
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