A federal grand jury in Columbia has charged 12 individuals with offenses related to narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy. This action follows an investigation into illegal possession and distribution of drugs in Richland and Lexington County. The authorities seized firearms, ammunition, and large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana during the operation.
The people charged include William Larry Javis, Demetrius Tyare Glenn, Pearish Pierre Pretty, Issac Christopher Bates, Johnny Lee Dickerson, Quinton Lamar Anderson, Miranda Ruth Garrett, Darwin Tramaine Sims, Marsha Beth Gurwitch, Maynard Felder Bartlett, Douglas Steven Raley, and Billy Joe Davis. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum life imprisonment in federal prison.
The defendants were arraigned last week. Ten of them waived their right to a bond, leading United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges to order their detention pending trial. Douglas Steven Raley and Marsha Beth Gurwitch have scheduled detention hearings, while the remaining defendants can request a hearing later.
This investigation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. It aims to dismantle high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations by combining efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. More details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, City of Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is leading the prosecution.
It is important to note that all charges in the indictment are accusations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.