SPARTANBURG CO, SC (WSPA) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Wednesday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury issued indictments on 39 people for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy, following a multi-jurisdictional investigation known as “Groundhog Day.”
According to a news release, the drug trafficking involved heroin and methamphetamine, as well as other illegal narcotics.
“The State Grand Jury returned 7 indictments alleging multiple but connected charges and conspiracies relating to trafficking 28 grams or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that this organization allegedly trafficked large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and other illegal narcotics into the Upstate during the course of its operation, which allegedly began as early as March of 2018,” according to the release.
The investigation has so far resulted in the seizure of over 54 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly five pounds of heroin, about a half a pound of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, as well as various prescription pills.
According to the release, firearms, cash and vehicles were also recovered by law enforcement during the investigation.
During a news conference Wednesday, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, joined by other law enforcement leaders from across the Upstate, shared their findings after a roughly two-year narcotics investigation.
Wright said some of the individuals charged were arrested in counties throughout the Upstate, including Spartanbug, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Pickens and Anderson counties.
According to the sheriff, SLED was also involved in the operation and said a portion of the drugs were recovered through the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Wright said the drug operation would not have been as successful as it was without the help of the surrounding law enforcement agencies, but said their fight in the war on drugs is far from over.
The following individuals were charged in the investigation:
- Cristobal Avila
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
iii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Richard James Chastain, Jr. (a/k/a “Jamie”) (a/k/a “Mike Jones”)
a. 2020-GS-47-06 (Pickens County)
i. Distribution of Methamphetamine (2 counts): 0-15 years and/or $25,000
b. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Joseph Kaleb Lee Cheatwood
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Failure to Stop for Blue Light: 90 days-3 years or $500
iii. Driving Under Suspension, Third or Subsequent Offense: 6 months-3 years and $1,000
iv. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 grams: 3-10 years and $25,000 - Jennifer Chasidy Cole
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000 - Roland Van Crocker
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Juan Francisco Esquivel
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2020-GS-47-04 (Spartanburg County)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl): 0-15 years and/or
$0-$25,000
iii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iv. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Naloxone): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
v. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
vi. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime (3 counts): 5
years
vii. Possession of a Stolen Handgun: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000 - Kristopher Lee Foster
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 grams: 25 years and $50,000 - Robin Brian Frady
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000 - Armando Nicolas Garcia (a/k/a “Mondo”) (a/k/a “Boogie”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 grams: 25 years and $100,000
ii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years
iii. Failure to Stop for Blue Light: 90 days-3 years or $500
iv. Possession of Methamphetamine: 0-3 years and/or $0-$5,000 - Marion Douglas Garnett, Jr. (a/k/a “Lil Bro”) (a/k/a “Bro”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Driving Under Suspension: 0-30 days and/or $300
ii. Reckless Driving: 0-30 days or $25-$200
iii. Failure to Stop for Blue Light, Second or Subsequent Offense: 0-5 years
iv. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (2 counts): 25-30 years and $200,000
v. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
vi. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Narcotic Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) (2 counts):
0-15 years and/or $0-$25,000
vii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years
viii. Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Violent Offense: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000
ix. Assault and Battery, 1st degree: 1-10 years - Nicole Allison Garrett (a/k/a “Nikki”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 grams: 3-10 years and $25,000
iii. Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance (3 counts): 0-2 years and/or $0-$5,000
iv. Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance: 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000 - William Keith Gary, Jr.
a. 2020-GS-47-04 (Spartanburg County)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl): 0-15 years and/or
$0-$25,000
iii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iv. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Naloxone): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
v. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
vi. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime (3 counts): 5
years
vii. Possession of a Stolen Handgun: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000 - Serena Leigh Hall
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
ii. Possession of Schedule I Controlled Substance: 0-2 years and/or $0-$5,000 - William Dexter Harman
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - William Levi Harman
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Brandy Deanne Henderson
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 grams: 25 years and $50,000
ii. Possession of Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Ryanesha Fortaye Hollis
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
iii. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Narcotic Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl): 0-15
years and/or $0-$25,000
iv. Obstruction of Justice: Court’s discretion - Marcos Enrique Hidalgo Orduna
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
iii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Kristina Johnson (a/k/a “MJ”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Tia Celest Martin
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Robin Nicole Page
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Ronnie Dale Pearson (a/k/a “Egg”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000 - Heather Price
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Ashley Nichole Pulliam
a. 2020-GS-47-04 (Spartanburg County)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl): 0-15 years and/or
$0-$25,000
iii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iv. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Naloxone): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
v. Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance (Buprenorphine): 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000
vi. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime (3 counts): 5
years
vii. Possession of a Stolen Handgun: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000 - Andrew Rodriguez
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Heather Rodriguez (a/k/a “Heather Rowe”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Keyon Rogers
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Angel Manuel Rosales (a/k/a “Looney”)
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-38 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime (2 counts): 5
years
iii. Trafficking Cocaine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
iv. Distribution of a Controlled Substance within Proximity of School: 0-10 years and/or $0-$10,000
v. Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Violent Offense: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000
vi. Possession of a Stolen Handgun: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000
vii. Unlawful Conduct Toward a Child: 0-10 years and/or fine in the discretion of the Court - Kevin Sams
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Charles Dewayne Seagraves
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 grams: 25 years and $100,000
iii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine: 0-15 years and/or $25,000 - Matthew Drake Simmons
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 grams (2 counts): 3-10 years and $25,000
ii. Receiving, Possessing, Concealing, Selling, or Disposing of Stolen Vehicle, Value $2,000 to $10,000:
0-5 years and/or a fine in the court’s discretion
iii. Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Violent Offense: 0-5 years and/or $0-$2,000
iv. Failure to Stop for Blue Light: 90 days-3 years or $500 - Jennifer Elizabeth Smith
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000 - Jennifer Dianna Sorgee
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-30 (Anderson County)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime (3 counts): 5
years
iii. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of Violent Felony (3 counts): 0-5 years and/or
$0-$2,000 - Amanda Lynn Stephens
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Possession of Methamphetamine: 0-3 years and/or $0-$5,000
ii. Obstruction of Justice: Court’s discretion - Colt Matthew Tunstall
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 grams: 25 years and $100,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 grams: 7-25 years and $50,000
iii. Possession of Schedule IV Controlled Substance: 0-6 months and/or $0-$1,000 - Joshua Williamson
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000 - Jonathan Blake Willingham
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2020-GS-47-01 (Cherokee County)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
iii. Possession of Marijuana, 2nd offense: 0-1 year and/or $200-$1,000
iv. Possession of a Schedule I-IV Controlled Substance, 2nd offense: 0-1 year and/or $0-$2,000
v. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years
c. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Heroin, 28 grams or more: 25-40 years and $200,000
ii. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000 - Patrick Ryan Wooten
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years - Robert Jackson Wooten
a. 2019-GS-47-42 (Spartanburg County) (Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (Conspiracy): 25-30 years and $200,000
b. 2019-GS-47-29 (Spartanburg County) (Second Superseding Indictment)
i. Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more: 25-30 years and $200,000
ii. Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana: 0-5 years and/or $0-$5,000
iii. Possession of a Firearm During Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime: 5 years
