Cherokee County Men Arrested on Federal Obstruction and Firearms Charges

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Gregory Ellis, age 21, of Gaffney; Isaac Harris, age 20, of Gaffney; Christopher Littlejohn, age 27, of Gaffney; Benjamin Morris, age 21, of Gaffney; Shemar Smith, age 21, of Gaffney; and Lazarus Wilson, age 20, of Chesnee, all had first appearances in federal court in Greenville on obstruction of justice charges. Harris, Littlejohn and Smith were also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and Morris was charged with providing false information to a federal law enforcement officer. 

The indictment charges in Count One that Gregory Ellis, Isaac Harris, Christopher Littlejohn, Benjamin Morris, Shemar Smith and Lazarus Wilson did conspire with each other and others to corruptly influence, obstruct and impede or endeavor to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice in United States of America v. Marcus Devante Horne, No. 7:17-CR-103, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, by creating a scheme to place weapons in a residence in an attempt to obtain sentencing consideration for Marcus Devante Horne.  The penalty for Count One is up to ten years and a fine of up to $250,000. Counts Two, Three and Four of the indictment charge each of Isaac Harris, Christopher Littlejohn and Shemar Smith with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The penalty for that offense is up to ten years and a fine of up to $250,000.  Count Five alleges that Benjamin Morris did willfully and knowingly make a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the judicial branch of the Government of the United States, to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm Special Agent Heather Cox-McClain. The penalty for that offense is up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The Gaffney Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and ATF investigated the case. Seventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Jennifer Wells, serving as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is prosecuting the case.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

#####