Lancaster County Felons Sentenced to Federal Prison in Separate Cases (DOJ)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Two felons in Lancaster County have been sentenced to federal prison for drug and firearm offenses in two separate cases.

"Both of these defendants are convicted felons who continued to bring guns and drugs into Lancaster County," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "We're committed to working with our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify violent offenders like McGriff and Hood and prosecute them federally."

"These cases are a great example of the value of partnerships in law enforcement," said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. "Our officers made a traffic stop and found McGriff to be in possession of substantial quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine and a handgun. On another traffic stop we found Hood, who is prohibited from having firearms and ammunition, with a pistol. From there we had the assistance of the FBI and the ATF in preparing the cases for prosecution in federal court. I am grateful for their help and the efforts of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office in getting these cases into court quickly and sending McGriff and Hood to federal prison for their illegal narcotics and weapons activities in Lancaster County."

Joblicenarius W'Yarian McGriff, 28, of Lancaster, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for possession with intent of distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on March 2, 2024, a Lancaster County Sheriff's deputy initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in which McGriff was a passenger. The deputy conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and found McGriff's gray bookbag on the floor of the backseat. In the backpack, officers discovered narcotics, including over 23 grams of fentanyl and over 5 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun. Further investigation uncovered hotel surveillance video of McGriff carrying the same bookbag just before the traffic stop.

La'Jameion Vartavious Hood, 25, of Lancaster was sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On June 24, 2024, Lancaster County Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where Hood was a passenger. During a search, officers recovered a 9mm firearm, which was loaded with 15 rounds in the magazine and one round chambered, under the passenger seat where Hood was seated. Hood has prior convictions for accessory after the fact to murder, unlawful carry, assault and battery - 3rd and discharging a firearm into a dwelling.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced McGriff to 78 total months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. sentenced Hood to 37 months imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Elizabeth Major and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Christopher Matthews of the Justice Department's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section prosecuted the case against McGriff. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elle E. Klein prosecuted the case against Hood.

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