Tyre Amahdikeem Brooks, John Matthew Railey, and Ricky Shane Underwood, all from Lancaster, have been sentenced to a combined total of 27 years in federal prison for drug trafficking offenses. The sentencing follows their guilty pleas.
The court heard evidence that the three men conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Lancaster area starting in January 2020. In June 2020, investigators from the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office made two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Brooks. He was arrested in July 2020 on state drug trafficking warrants and found with weapons and methamphetamine. In 2022, Brooks faced additional charges for possessing firearms and unlawful narcotics in Rock Hill.
Railey was involved in a domestic incident in January 2021 where he was found with nearly an ounce of pure methamphetamine. He sold methamphetamine to undercover investigators the following month.
Underwood's involvement included a controlled purchase by investigators in February 2021, leading to searches of his home that uncovered more drugs and firearms. Another controlled purchase occurred in March 2023, resulting again in the discovery of methamphetamine and firearms at his residence.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis presided over the case. Brooks received a sentence of 108 months for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, followed by five years of supervised release. Railey was sentenced to 144 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Underwood received a sentence of 72 months for conspiracy involving distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, along with four years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, and Rock Hill Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Taylor and William K. Witherspoon are handling prosecution duties.