Atlanta Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Importing Kilograms of Cocaine Into Sumter

Contact Person: JD Rowell (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Bryant C. Ford, age 39, of Mableton, Georgia, pled guilty today in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846.  Chief United States District Court Judge Terry L. Wooten presided over the guilty plea hearing and will sentence Ford after the United States Probation Office prepares a presentence report.

Evidence gathered as part of months-long investigation into drug trafficking in and around Sumter, established that Ford brought more than forty kilograms of cocaine into South Carolina from September of 2014 through June of 2015. The investigation concluded when, on June 16, 2015, Ford brought 5 kilograms of cocaine to supply his codefendant Harold McFadden in exchange for cash. After Ford and McFadden met outside of Augusta, Georgia, Troopers with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, working in conjunction with the FBI and Sumter Police Department, conducted a traffic stop of McFadden near Aiken, South Carolina.  Troopers found the 5 kilograms of powder cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in the dashboard of a Chrysler van, which Ford had previously provided to McFadden. After Ford returned to his home in Mableton, Georgia, FBI Atlanta executed a search warrant at his home and found over $300,000 in cash, cocaine, and various drug and money laundering paraphernalia.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Sumter Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys JD Rowell and Jay Richardson prosecuted the case.

#####