Dozens accused of trafficking drugs for Mexican cartels arrested in Upstate

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The South Carolina Attorney General announced charges against more than three dozen suspects accused of association with Mexican drug cartels.

“It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and we’re fighting to stop it,” Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

The South Carolina Attorney General announced charges against more than three dozen suspects accused of association with Mexican drug cartels.

The state grand jury’s investigation into drug trafficking operations in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson and Oconee counties has been named “Las Señoritas.” Officials said the name was chosen because several of the main targets are women who fled the country to escape prosecution.

Investigators said the suspects would coordinate with inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections via contraband cell phones to deliver drugs across the Upstate. Co-conspirators would drive to Atlanta or other locations and pick up kilograms of meth.

The Attorney General said prosecutors plan to pursue life in prison against inmates involved in the conspiracy.

Law enforcement seized more than $800,000 worth of drugs and 30 guns during the investigation.

The following suspects are charged but allegedly fled to Mexico and are living among the Jalisco New Generation cartel:

Suspects charged in Las Senoritas bust, accused of fleeing to Mexico and living among cartel... — Suspects charged in Las Senoritas bust, accused of fleeing to Mexico and living among cartel members.(SC Attorney General)

CHELSIE MARIE ANDERSON - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
JENNIFER NICOLE BURNS - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
AMY DEANNA COBB A/K/A “EMMA” - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
MARCY DAWN VICKERS - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
MICHAEL PERINO PARDI - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy), Count 18-Trafficking Meth 400 Grams or More, Count 19-PWDVC
KELLI DENISE EDWARDS - Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy), Count 12- Trafficking Methamphetamine 10-28 (Pickens)

The following suspects are in custody:

Wade Watkins:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Prison Empire:
- 2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County)
  - Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
  - January 1, 2015 to May 18, 2021
  - Count 12: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
  - Count 13: Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime
  - Count 14: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
  - March 18, 2019
PE Bond: $65,000 bond with GPS
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied

Dustin Ward (aka Duh Duh):

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
PE:
- 2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County)
  - Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied

Samantha Diane Chavez Aiken:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 2-Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 3-Trafficking Meth, 10-28 Grams
Was in Covid quarantine at SCDC @ time of bond hearings

Malary Lynn Bates:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 4-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 6-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Count 7-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
Counts 8-11-PWDVC (x4)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied

Travis Mitchell Hendricks:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 13- Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 14-Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 15- Trafficking Meth 10-28 Grams
PE:
- 2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County)
  - Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
  - Count 101: Distribution of Methamphetamine
- February 3, 2021
  - 2020-GS-47-09 (Pickens County)
  - Count 30: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
- December 9, 2019
  - Count 31: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
- December 19, 2019
  - Count 32: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
- January 7, 2020
  - Count 33: Possession of Methamphetamine, § 44-53-375(A)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied

Darrell Foster McCoy (aka: D.J.)

Pickens
- Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
- Count 4-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
- Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
- Count 6-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
- Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
- Count 17- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
- Count 23-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100
Greenville 2022-GS-47-19
- Count 1–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 Grams
- Count 14-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
ANDERSON 2022-GS-47-20
- Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Pending charges in PE:
- 2019-GS-47-23 (Count 1): Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
- 2020-GS-47-09 (Count 38): Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 4-14 Grams-Pickens
- 2020-GS-47-28 (Count 1): Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 28 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Greenville
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied; Served with LWOP Notice

Matthew David McCoy:

Pickens
- Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
- Count 8- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Greenville 2022-GS-47-19
- Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
- Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
LAURENS 2022-GS-47-18
- Count 2-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Charged in PE: 2019-GS-47-23 (Count 1): Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
SCDC: Admitted June 8, 2016 for Family Tradition convictions; Projected release date is April 5, 2025
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied; Served with LWOP Notice

Tony Eugene McCoy:

Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
PE:
- 2019-GS-47-23 (Fourth Superseding Indictment – Pickens County)
  - Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
- 2020-GS-47-09 (Pickens County)
  - Count 38: Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 4-14 Grams
- 2020-GS-47-28 (Superseding Indictment – Greenville County)
  - Count 1: Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 28 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied

Audrey Danielle Nichols:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 18-Trafficking Meth 400 Grams or More
Count 19-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $65K concurrent with county bond on adopted charges; GPS w/ House Arrest and Immediate Arrest upon violation of GPS/HA conditions

Michael Duane Payne:

Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 17- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Kasey Leigh Rasberry:

Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 23-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 Grams
Count 25–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Count 26-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 27- PWID Other Substances in Schedule I (MJ)
Bond hearing on 01-05-2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Sabrina Nicole Rochester:

Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 20-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 2nd Offense
Count 21-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 22-Poss. of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $50K SB NO 10%; be released to rehab facility; GPS to be on house arrest at in patient rehab facility or to work; immediate pick up upon violation of GPS/House Arrest

Robert Vincent Wood:

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 28-Distribution of Meth
Count 29-Trafficking Meth, 28-100 Grams
Count 30-PWID Meth
Bond hearing continued due to attorney issue.

Abygail Taylor:

Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 31–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Participate in drug rehabilitation program (3-6M) @ PCDC, $75K SB no 10%; live with parents; GPS & HA (work, legal, medical); immediate arrest upon violation of GPS/House Arrest

James Edward Hagan

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 32-Trafficking Meth, 28-100 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Monica Denise Bearden

Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 1–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams-Greenville
Bond not set as of January 9, 2023 because not apprehended until January 6, 2023

Melissa Hope Finley:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Greenville
Count 19–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 20–PWDVC
Count 21–PWDVC
Count 23–Poss Stolen Vehicle, Value $10K or More
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 25-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Donald Barry Hudson 2nd:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 19–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 22–PWDVC
Count 23–Poss Stolen Vehicle, Value $10K or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Glenn Michael Moccia (Mosha) Jr:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Nicholas Vincent Gracely:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 26–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 27–Manufacture Methamphetamine
Count 28–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 29–PWDVC
Count 30–PWDVC
Count 31-Unlawful Conduct Towards Child
Bond hearing with Judge Benjamin on January 5, 2023: Bond denied

Autumn Alexandria Powers:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 28–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 31-Unlawful Conduct Towards Child
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: $50K w/ no 10%; GPS and House Arrest; Immediate arrest upon violation of GPS and House Arrest Conditons

Heather Michelle Hamilton

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 14-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Prison Empire: 2019-GS-47-23 (Fourth Superseding Indictment – Pickens County)
- Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
- Count 25: Possession of Less than One Grams Methamphetamine
- Bond $100K w/ GPS Monitoring
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied

Stacy Lynn Brooks:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2 –Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 4–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 5– PWDVC
Count 6–PWDVC
Count 7–PWDVC
Count 8–PWDVC
Count 9–PWDVC
Count 10–PWDVC
Count 11–PWDVC
Count 12–PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Leanne Renee Jones:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 4–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 5– PWDVC
Count 6–PWDVC
Count 7–PWDVC
Count 8–PWDVC
Count 9–PWDVC
Count 10–PWDVC
Count 11–PWDVC
Count 12–PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Srie Lourdes Henebry:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 13–Distribution of Methamphetamine
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Participate in jail rehab program; bond denied but may be reconsidered upon completion of program

Joseph Edward Moore:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 13–Distribution of Methamphetamine
Bond denied by Judge Benjamin on January 5, 2023

Stephanie Annette Lipe:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15–Trafficking Meth, 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K no 10%, GPS w/ HA provisions, immediate arrest upon violation of house arrest

Heather Marie Griffin:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K; GPS & HA; no contact with co-D; immediate pick-up upon violation of GPS & HA; all standard SGJ provisions

Taylor Suzanne Oates:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 18-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K no 10% GPS & HA w/ immediate pick-up up violation

Angela Nicole Welborn:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied

Harlie Danielle Willford:

Count 1-Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More-Pickens
Greenville
- Count 32–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
- Count 33-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
- Count 34-PWDVC
Oconee
- Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
- Count 2-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Bond hearing rescheduled

Arther Shane Mashburn:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 35-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 36-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied

Travis Matthew Bentley:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Count 2-PWID Methamphetamine
Count 3-PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch. II (Fentanyl)
Count 4-PWID Other Substances in Schedule I (MJ)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied

Austin Ryan Brewington

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 (Anderson)
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams (Laurens)

Tracy Yvonne Posey Matthews:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 (Anderson)
Bond hearing postponed due to Defendant being in SCDC Covid quarantine.

Randall Gene Posey:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Anderson
Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 6- PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch II (Cocaine)
Count 7-PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch II (611 pills amphetamine)
Count 8-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 9-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 10-PWDVC
Count 11-PWDVC
Count 12-PWDVC
Count 13-PWDVC
Count 14-Possession of Destructive Device
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied

Tracy Ann Fore:

Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Laurens
- Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
- Count 2-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on 01/05/2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K SB no $10% w/ standard SGJ conditions w/ GPS (HA 9PM-6AM) and provision of immediate arrest upon violation of GPS

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