Six Beaufort Men Indicted on Drug and Gun Trafficking Charges

Contact Person: Nancy Wicker (803) 929-3000

Columbia, South Carolina--------Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake, announced today that Brandon Singleton, age 32, Frank Clemons, age 36, Tyrone Williams, age 57, Naji Osborne, age 27, Mark Delaney, age 28, and Torrion Cooper, age 35 have been indicted for their roles in a drug and gun trafficking conspiracy operating in and around Beaufort, South Carolina.  The indictment further charges that Brandon Singleton possessed firearms in furtherance of the drug trafficking.  Additionally, Brandon Singleton and Tyrone Williams are charged with being felons in possession of firearms, given their previous convictions for crimes punishable by at least a year imprisonment.  The government moved for detention of all six defendants pending trial pursuant to the Bail Reform Act.  As of the date of the indictment, this investigation has resulted in the seizure of thirteen firearms, some of which were used in furtherance of drug trafficking, and over 500 grams of cocaine. On the conspiracy charges, Singleton faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years incarceration and the other defendants face maximum possible sentences of up to 20 years incarceration.  Defendants who are charged with being a felon in possession of firearms face a maximum possible sentence of 10 years incarceration. Defendants who are charged with using or carrying firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities face sentences of a minimum of 5 years incarceration up to a maximum of lifetime incarceration.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance and cooperation of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the 14^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in an effort to target the sale of cocaine and firearms.  Assistant United States Attorney Emily Limehouse of the Charleston office is prosecuting the case. 

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

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