Marion police have made three arrests in the beating of a 19-year-old and a juvenile during the weekend.

Marion police are investigating two attacks they believe may be gang-related.

A 16-year-old has been charged in connection with a shooting that happened almost a month ago, Dillon County Capt. Cliff Arnette said.

Darlington Police have charged six people in connection to a shooting that happened on Friday.

A Darlington woman has been arrested in connection in connection with a gang-related shooting last month in Darlington, Darlington Police Capt. Danny Watson said. Courtney “Pebbles” Pech, 19, was arrested Tuesday and is charged with assault and battery with intent to kill, discharging firearm into dwelling and three counts of assault with intent to kill.

Seven alleged gang members have been arrested after an eight-month investigation, dubbed “Operation Peace Maker,” by the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Bennettsville Police Department, FBI and State Law Enforcement Division.

Police are searching for a Florence man, as well as an unidentified man and woman, in connection with a gang-related shooting in Darlington, Darlington Police Capt. Danny Watson said.

A Bennettsville man has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a gang-related shooting. U.S. District Court Judge Terry L. Wooten sentenced 23-year-old Laqurone Trankil Kinney to 112 months in prison. 

A Florence gang member will spend nearly two years in federal prisons after stealing a firearm and bringing it to West Florence High School. U.S. District Judge Bryan Harwell sentenced 19-year-old Calvin Melford Sweeney to 21 months in prison.

Investigators are trying to determine if Thursday’s beating death of a Timmonsville man was gang-related, Timmonsville Police Detective David Nichols said.

Four gang members have been arrested in connection with the Feb. 9 shooting of a 20-year-old man, Bennettsville Police Investigator Larry Bowman said.

Marion police said they expect to issue warrants for the arrest of a 19-year-old man and two juveniles after the alleged gang-related beating of a 57-year-old man.

Gangs are becoming more of a problem in the Grand Strand, Pee Dee, and across the state.

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.

Five Marlboro County gang members pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and face between 10 years to life in prison.