COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Three men and three women from the Midlands were sentenced after pleading guilty in federal court to their roles in a heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana trafficking conspiracy based in Columbia, according to officials with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Marcus Antonio Ashford, 44, of Columbia, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana.Debra Ann Thomas, 69, of Hopkins, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and fentanyl.Tremeka R. Myers, 50, of Columbia was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.Rashad Naheem Myers, 45, of Columbia, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.Jemica Octavia Maxwell, 42, of Columbia, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and marijuana.Shaquan Maxwell, 26, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin.
According to a press release, Marcus Ashford was the leader of a heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana distribution ring operating in and around Columbia, S.C. Debra Ann Thomas, Jemica Octavia Maxwell. and Shaquan Maxwell were drug distributors working on behalf of Ashford. Tremeka R. Myers and Rashad Naheem Myers were facilitators in the conspiracy. The Myers’ home was used as a location for co-conspirators to prepare heroin for sale.
DOJ officials say, between September 2019, and July 2020, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled buys of heroin and heroin/fentanyl mixture from Ashford and his co-defendants. Some of the drugs were sold directly by Ashford; others were sold by Ashford’s co-defendants working on his behalf. Based upon the controlled buys and related investigation, in approximately two years, Ashford and his organization were responsible for trafficking nearly one kilogram of heroin, 31 grams of fentanyl, and multiple kilograms of marijuana.
This case was investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn prosecuted the case.
Three men and three women from the Midlands were sentenced after pleading guilty in federal court to their roles in a heroin, fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Read More