Jarman Lamar White, a 38-year-old resident of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to charges related to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl as well as quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine.
According to information gathered during the investigation, law enforcement officials found that White was involved in selling drugs obtained from individuals associated with the Darryl Hemphill drug organization. The group produced pills that closely resembled oxycodone 30 mg tablets but were clandestinely manufactured using fentanyl at locations in both Rock Hill and Charlotte.
Authorities intercepted several phone calls between White and other members of the organization. These communications revealed that White acquired cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl from his associates. Investigators also discovered that White permitted the organization to use the basement of his girlfriend’s home in Rock Hill for manufacturing operations involving multiple pill press machines. Surveillance observed White and others moving these machines into the residence, which was then used for producing fentanyl-laced pills. On one occasion, about 50,000 such pills were made in a single day at this location. In exchange for allowing this activity at his residence, White received a quantity of the fentanyl-laced pills and several thousand dollars.
When agents arrested White in June 2018 and executed a search warrant at the property, they recovered pill press machines, a pill binder, masks or respirators, an industrial mixing machine, and a 9mm pistol inside a backpack belonging to White.
Following arrests of other group members, officers with the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl-laced pills from White. These transactions indicated that he continued distributing illegal substances after his initial arrest.
White faces up to life imprisonment on federal charges. He could also be fined up to $20 million and required to pay restitution; if convicted he would be subject to ten years’ supervision after any prison term is served. United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis accepted his guilty plea and will determine sentencing after reviewing a report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at targeting high-level drug traffickers through coordinated efforts by federal, state, and local agencies. More information about OCDETF is available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the FBI Columbia Field Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
