A federal grand jury in Columbia has indicted 12 individuals on various charges related to narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy offenses. This legal action follows a comprehensive investigation targeting illegal drug activities in Richland and Lexington County. The operation led to the seizure of numerous firearms, ammunition, and significant quantities of illicit drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana.
The list of individuals charged reads as follows: 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; and Billy Joe Davis, 42, of Gaston.
Each defendant faces charges that carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, potentially extending to life in federal prison. During the arraignment last week, ten of the defendants waived their right to bond, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges ordered their detention until trial. Detention hearings for Douglas Steven Raley and Marsha Beth Gurwitch are scheduled for tomorrow, with other defendants maintaining the option to request a detention hearing later.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. The OCDETF aims to identify and dismantle leading drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. By employing a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach, it harnesses federal, state, and local law enforcement strengths against criminal networks. More details about OCDETF programs are available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the City of Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore is in charge of prosecuting the case.
It's important to note that all charges are purely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
