Columbia Men Plead to Federal Heroin Conspiracy

Columbia, South Carolina---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated that Michael Glover, a/k/a “Glove,” a/k/a “G,” a/k/a “HG,” age 47, and Jihad Salahadeen Pollard, age 43, both formerly of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty today in federal court. Glover and Pollard each plead guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(B). Glover also plead guilty to a money laundering conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h). Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., of Columbia, accepted the pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence investigation reports, which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.   

Glover and Pollard were two of 10 defendants charged in April 2014, following a series of court-authorized, DEA-monitored wiretaps over several telephones in the Columbia area. The investigation revealed that a group of individuals in the Columbia area were obtaining heroin from various sources outside of South Carolina and then distributing it in the Midlands. Evidence indicated that the suppliers were initially getting the heroin in packages from India. Several packages destined for Columbia and containing heroin were intercepted by law enforcement during the investigation. Evidence further showed that the co-defendants later obtained heroin in New York and transported it back to Columbia where it was distributed. The New York heroin suppliers were charged and convicted in the Eastern District of New York for their role in the heroin conspiracy.

Glover and Pollard were fugitives until their arrests this past summer in Texas, where they were residing under false identities. Six of their co-defendants were arrested in 2014 and plead guilty to their role in the drug conspiracy here in South Carolina and were sentenced in 2015 as follows: Eric Shawn Bradley, a/k/a “E,” age 50, of Columbia, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Kenneth Crawford, age 44, of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Columbia, was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release; Charles Bradley, age 35, of Columbia was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release to follow; Anthony Glover, age 43, of Columbia was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment with 8 years of supervised release to follow; Larry Bookman, age 64, of Columbia was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment with 6 years of supervised release; and Jessany Lyons, age 27, of Far Rockaway, New York, was sentenced to 37 months imprisonment with 3 years of supervised release. Two other co-defendants charged in the indictment remain fugitives and are innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Drake stated that on the drug conspiracy charge, Glover faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $8,000,000, a special assessment of $100, and a term of supervised release of at least 8 years in addition to any term of imprisonment. Glover faces an enhanced sentence based upon his two prior felony drug convictions. Glover has North Carolina convictions for possession with intent to distribute marijuana (1993) and possession with intent to sale/deliver of cocaine (1994). On the money laundering conspiracy charge, Glover faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of not more than $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a special assessment of $100. On the drug conspiracy charge, Pollard faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 5 years imprisonment with a maximum of 40 years, a fine of $5,000,000, a special assessment of $100, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years in addition to any term of imprisonment

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) High Intensity Drug Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers from the DEA, ICE - Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department, and the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia United States Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

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