Federal Grand Jury Indictments

Columbia, South Carolina----United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that a Federal Grand Jury in Columbia, South Carolina, returned Indictment(s) against the following:

Newberry Man Indicted on Federal Firearm Charge.  Maleik Houseal, age 22, of Newberry, was charged in a 1-count indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The charge carries a maximum of ten (1) years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbia Police Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

West Columbia Man Indicted on Federal Drug and Weapon Charges.  Bryshun Genard Furlow, age 34, of West Columbia, was charged in a 6-count superseding indictment with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine (3 counts), possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, using/possessing firearms during a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(c). Each drug charges carries a maximum of thirty (30) years’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000,000 and a term of supervised release of at least six (6) years. The felon in possession charge carries a maximum of ten (10) years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The use/possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime carries a statutory mandatory minimum five (5) year imprisonment with a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Stacey D. Haynes of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

Georgia Man Indicted for Bringing Bankruptcy Scheme to South Carolina.  Nathaniel Florin Noble, a/k/a “Florin David Olaru,” age 50, was charged today in a three-count indictment with bankruptcy fraud, false bankruptcy declarations, and contempt of court, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 152, 157, and 401. According to the indictment, Noble filed a 2017 bankruptcy petition, in which he made false representations. Noble’s bankruptcy petition also failed to comply with a previous order issued by the Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Court, in which the court ordered Noble not to file for bankruptcy for a five-year period.

If convicted of bankruptcy fraud, Noble faces a maximum sentence of five years and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by the Office of the United States Trustee and the Internal Revenue Service, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office for prosecution.

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

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