Federal Grand Jury Indicts 12 on Drug Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Columbia has charged 12 individuals in a 24-count indictment in connection with narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy offenses. These charges stem from an investigation targeting individuals engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics in Richland and Lexington County. During this investigation, agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.

The individuals charged include:

• William Larry Javis, 43, of Columbia
• Demetrius Tyare Glenn, 34, of Columbia
• Pearish Pierre Pretty, 41, of Columbia
• Issac Christopher Bates, 53, of Columbia
• Johnny Lee Dickerson, 44, of Columbia
• Quinton Lamar Anderson, 32, of West Columbia
• Miranda Ruth Garrett, 53, of Hopkins
• Darwin Tramaine Sims, 34, of Columbia
• Marsha Beth Gurwitch, 53, of Columbia
• Maynard Felder Bartlett, 39, of Lexington
• Douglas Steven Raley, 41, of West Columbia
• Billy Joe Davis, 42, of Gaston

The defendants are each charged with offenses carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life in federal prison. The defendants appeared for arraignment last week. Ten defendants waived their right to a bond and United States Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges ordered them detained pending trial. Douglas Steven Raley and Marsha Beth Gurwitch have detention hearings scheduled for tomorrow. The remaining defendants retain the right to ask for a detention hearing at a later date.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program 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 prosecuting the case.

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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