40 Charged in Largest Federal Racketeering Conspiracy in South Carolina History Details Written by Justice Department
Columbia, South Carolina - A federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history.
The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise whereby inmates with the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), often through the use of contraband cell phones, orchestrated murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, and an international drug operation.
The grand jury returned an indictment charging the defendants with conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and several charges under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute. Of the 40 defendants, 24 defendants were charged in the initial indictment in this case for conduct related to their alleged role
40 charged in sprawling criminal enterprise using inmates
15 Shares
A federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history.
The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise whereby inmates with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, often through the use of contraband cell phones, orchestrated murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, and an international drug operation.
The grand jury returned an indictment charging the defendants with conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and several charges under the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering statute. Of the 40 defendants, 24 defendants were charged in the initial indictment in this case for conduct related to their alleged roles in the drug trafficking organization.
Amid a multi-agency investigation that led to 40 people being indicted across South Carolina, the Laurens County Sheriffâs Office was one of the agencies involved in investigating a portion of the racketeering ring the probe uncovered.
Many of the codefendants are facing charges associated with orchestrating murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution and an international drug ring, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneyâs Office. During the investigation, officers looked into the kidnapping of an alleged informant who was tortured and later killed at a house in Laurens County. They also looked into a drive-by shooting at a Piedmont residence.
40 charged in S C prison-based criminal enterprise thetandd.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetandd.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Cellphones in Prisons
By:
US Attorney
As alleged in the indictments, illegal cell phones enabled these inmates to operate a sophisticated, international drug trafficking ring from inside prison walls,” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the S.C. Department of Corrections. “We cannot ensure the public is safe from criminals until states are allowed to jam cell phone signals. We need Congress to act on this pressing public safety issue and schedule a hearing on the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act.”
40 Charged in Largest Federal Racketeering Conspiracy in South Carolina History, Includes Laurens Man.
Columbia - United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., has announced that a federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history.