BLUFFTON, SC (March 22, 2024) — Nine Walterboro and Yemassee residents face federal drug, firearm and conspiracy charges following a months-long investigation by local, state and federal authorities.
The 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office helped with the multi-agency effort that ended with 14 defendants charged. Agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted local and state law enforcement agencies with the intelligence-based investigation. The purpose of the operation was to target criminal groups involved in the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics, as well as the unlawful possession and use of firearms.
The following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
- Trevor Courtney Fishburne, Jr., 34 of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of MDMA, a synthetic drug commonly referred to as “ecstasy” or “molly.” Fishburne is currently serving a sentence for armed robbery, assault and battery with intent to kill, and weapons offense in the S.C. Department of Corrections.
- Zaquann Ernest Hampton, 30, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of cocaine, 500 grams or more of cocaine base, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, a quantity of heroin and a quantity of MDMA. Additionally, Hampton is charged with multiple counts of distribution of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl; two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
- Jaziah Samone Dresha Lewis, 27, of St. George was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Additionally, Lewis was charged with one count of possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a separate additional count of possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine.
- Jamie Brown, 50, of Yemassee was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, a quantity of cocaine base and a quantity of fentanyl. Additionally, Brown is charged with possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl, possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
- Stephanie Hawkins, 37, of Summerville was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Additionally, Hawkins was charged with one count of possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Oshalum Grant, 27, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Grant was charged with one count of possession of ammunition by a prohibited person.
- Matthew Rashaun Jones, 30, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, MDMA and fentanyl. Additionally, Jones was charged with possessing with intent to distribute quantities of cocaine, cocaine base and fentanyl; possession of firearms by a prohibited person; and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Brianna Alnisa Lawrence, 28, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Lawrence was charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and transfer of ammunition to a prohibited person.
- Rashawn Lymel Brown, 29, of Summerville was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. Additionally, Brown was charged with two counts of distribution of cocaine; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana; and one count of possession of a short-barreled rifle.
- Brittaney Smith, 28, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- James Joseph Young, III, 30, of Summerville was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Additionally, Young was charged with three counts of distribution of cocaine.
- Wanda Catrece Fishburne, 50, of Yemassee was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base. Additionally, Fishburne was charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base and cocaine; possession of a firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of firearms by a prohibited person.
- Jaden Tyrone Smith, 23, of Walterboro was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- Richard Vernon Deas, 25, of Charleston was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Deas is currently serving a sentence for murder in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The indictments follow a coordinated investigation by the following agencies: the FBI Columbia Field Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the U.S. Secret Service; the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division; S.C. Department of Corrections; County Sheriff’s Office; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; Florence County Sheriff’s Office; Marion County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston Police Department; North Charleston Police Department; Mount Pleasant Police Department; Summerville Police Department; and the S.C. Highway Patrol.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carra Henderson and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case.
All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
