News

GREENVILLE, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Greenville returned a single-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging William Andres Holguin Mendez, 40, of Colombia, for his role in a $135 million money laundering conspiracy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ricardo Gonzalez Bahena, 43, an illegal alien residing in Graniteville, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for identity theft and passport fraud. Gonzalez Bahena, a Mexican national, will be deported after serving his sentence.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Antonio Marquis Nicholson, 34, of West Columbia, has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children.

FLORENCE, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Florence, returned a nine-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging seven individuals from Chesterfield County for conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act, possession of pit bull-type dogs for animal fighting ventures, and unlawful possession of firearms.

FLORENCE, S.C. — Benjamin Lee Mercer, Sr., 54, of Florence, has pleaded guilty to stealing firearms from a dealer and illegally possessing firearms. 

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Jerell Emmanuel Risher, 36, of North Charleston, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to trafficking methamphetamine. 

FLORENCE, S.C. — Ramsey Adam Currie, 43, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. - William Larry Javis, Jr., 46, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twelve members of a Midlands drug conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison. In total, over 15 kilograms of fentanyl, 16 kilograms of cocaine, 1.5 kilograms of crystal meth, 1 kilogram of crack cocaine, and 500 grams of meth were attributed to the conspiracy.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Isha Yumakia Warr, 53, of Columbia, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for wire fraud.

COLUMBIA, S.C. —Sha’Juan Princess Johnson, 24, of Sumter County, has pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Pearish Pierre Pretty, 43, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.