Lexington Methamphetamine Conspiracy

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that a total of fifteen defendants have been indicted as part of a drug conspiracy. In December 2017, four defendants, John Phillip Drawdy, age 39, Leigh Antley McCamy, age 36, Blake Allen Smith, age 28, and Kimberly Hartley, age 29, were indicted in a Superseding Indictment for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. These four defendants pleaded guilty to the Conspiracy charge in May 2017, each admitting to dealing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Each defendant is awaiting sentencing and faces a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life.

Last week, a grand jury indicted an additional eleven Lexington County defendants in a related methamphetamine conspiracy, also in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. The eleven defendants, or co-conspirators, are:

Jennifer Logan, age 41 

Terri Moore, age 40

Brian Lorick, age 45   

Andrew Michael Chamberlain, age 31    

James Lloyd, age 28   

Willie Ricardo Gordon, a/k/a “Rico,” age 33   

Jeremy Davis, age 31  

Robert Pendleton, a/k/a “Bobby,” age 39   

Marcus Young, a/k/a “Lay Low,” age 29  

Kyndal Hancock, age 25 

David Peeples, age 35 

The Indictment also charges various firearm and drug-related offenses, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) and 924(c), and Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C). If convicted, these eleven defendants face the same possible penalties as the previous four defendants:  a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life.

          Additionally, one more Lexington County defendant, Jeffery Shane Tager, age 32, has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A). Tager faces a statutory mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life.

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. ATF Resident Agent-In-Charge Eddie Eubanks had this to say, “From December 2016 to now, our office with the assistance of our state and local law enforcement partners conducted an investigation that resulted in the prosecution of over twenty-five defendants from Lexington and Aiken County.  ATF is very proud of the investigation results and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime in our communities.”    

United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon had this to say, “We are committed to using our resources to address violent crime and drug distribution in our neighborhoods. Our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies are crucial to our efforts.” This case is being prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The United States Attorney also stated that all charges in indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Alyssa Leigh Richardson of the Columbia office.

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