Drain Maurice Mazone of Irmo and Clinton Raymond Donaldson of Columbia have been sentenced in federal court for their involvement in a drug conspiracy. Mazone received a 13-year sentence, while Donaldson was sentenced to three years.
Investigators found that Mazone and Donaldson were part of a group that began its drug operation in Arizona. The group purchased drugs there and shipped them to Mazone, who then distributed the substances. Donaldson provided addresses for shipping packages and assisted with distribution. Proceeds from the sales were sent back to the distributor in Arizona. Drugs were mailed not only to South Carolina cities such as Columbia, Florence, and Myrtle Beach but also to locations in North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida. All four individuals involved have pleaded guilty and received sentences.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed a 156-month prison term on Mazone, followed by five years of supervised release. Donaldson was sentenced to 36 months in prison with three years of supervision after release. Both were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, at least five kilograms of cocaine, at least 400 grams of fentanyl, and marijuana. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF focuses on identifying and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies using intelligence-driven strategies. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon prosecuted the case.
