A Hilton Head Island drug dealer who was found with a large amount of heroin and cocaine inside a Paddle Boat Lane condominium is headed to prison.
Antonio Ricardo Lee, 38, was found guilty Wednesday of trafficking cocaine and possession with intent to distribute heroin within a half-mile of a school or playground. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the trafficking charges. He received an additional eight years for the distribution and proximity charge. The charges are to be served concurrently.
A mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years was imposed, based on the weight of cocaine.
“This defendant ruined countless peoples’ lives by peddling large amounts of a highly addictive and destructive drug,” said Sarah Fowler of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “He is going where he needs to be.”
On July 19, 2018, Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies searched the condo where Lee was living and found approximately 300 grams of cocaine and 5 grains of heroin. Investigators also seized drug paraphernalia, cash and ammunition.
Lee’s prior criminal convictions includes a public disorderly conduct in 2000; possession of a marijuana in 2006; possession of marijuana in 2012; and possession of a controlled substance in 2012.
Circuit Court Judge Deadra L. Jefferson delivered Wednesday’s sentence.
Fowler is a member of the Beaufort County Community Prosecution Team. She has been with the Solicitor’s Office since 2016.
