Timario Gayton and Quonzy Hope, residents of Rock Hill, South Carolina, have been sentenced to 15 years each in federal prison. The sentencing follows their guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Court evidence highlighted that in August 2022, Hope was involved in the sale of 5,000 pills to a confidential informant. This transaction initiated an investigation leading agents to a York County property used to manufacture illegal fentanyl pills. A search warrant was executed on October 19, 2022, uncovering a clandestine lab where Gayton and Hope, along with two other codefendants, were present. The search yielded over 29 kilograms of fentanyl, along with substantial amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Several pill press machines, cash, and drug paraphernalia were also discovered.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon handed down the sentences, which include a term of supervised release upon completion of the prison terms. The federal system does not offer parole.
This case forms part of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), aimed at tackling high-level drug activity. The OCDETF uses a comprehensive approach involving collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks. More details about the OCDETF program can be found at their official website.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major.