News

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Christopher Kentrell Jones, 33, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Damion Walker, 25, and Malcolm Price, 38, both of Columbia have been sentenced to federal prison for being felons in possession of firearms.

FLORENCE, S.C. – Federico Parra Lopez, 32, and Marcos Flores Aquino, 25, have been ordered to serve lengthy sentences in federal prison after being convicted of conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin in the Myrtle Beach area. These sentencings follow those of their co-defendants, Miguel Angulo Perez, 22, and Omar Sanchez Aquino, 33, who were previously sentenced in this case.  All four men are from Mexico and were in the United States illegally.  

FLORENCE, S.C. – Rafael Contreras Ramos, 40, of Mexico, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances in South Carolina. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Brittany Nicole Miles, 37, of Lexington, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Van Lydell Starling, 48, of Kershaw, has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gregory Tischuk, 66, of York County, has pleaded guilty to straw purchasing firearms. 

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hector Ivan Martinez, 20, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — John Badger Thorpe, 69, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to receive and distribute child sexual abuse material and two counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material. 

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Levi Phillip Miles, 48, of Goose Creek, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and oxycontin, and distribution of fentanyl, resulting in the death of a local lawyer.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — United States Attorney Bryan P. Stirling announced today that the District of South Carolina entered multiple settlements with defendants for more than $7.9 million, resolving allegations that various companies violated the False Claims Act by providing false information to obtain over $5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for which they were not eligible.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Brian Justin Canty, 37, of Conway, was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.