Oconee Woman Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison on Meth Charge

Greenville, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Tabitha A. Hammond, age 37, of Seneca, South Carolina, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins of Spartanburg sentenced Hammond to 216 months in federal prison. 

Evidence presented to the court established that on August 8, 2017, an Oconee County deputy sheriff was patrolling in the Fair Play area when he observed a vehicle turn without signaling and then turn quickly into a residence before he could initiate a traffic stop.  The vehicle stopped at the residence for just a few minutes and resumed travel.  Upon observing a defective break light, he initiated a traffic stop.  There were four persons in the car and no one had a valid driver’s license with them.  The deputy observed much suspicious behavior, including extreme nervousness, attempts to hide the contents of various bags, and one passenger giving indications of flight.  The deputy received consent to search from the driver and located more than five pounds of methamphetamine in a bag belonging to Hammond.  After being given her Miranda warnings, Hammond admitted to engaging in drug trafficking activity.

This case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office prosecuted the case.

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