17 defendants have been charged in a federal drug conspiracy investigation.

US Attorney Peter McCoy, Jr. said federal, state and local law enforcement officers charged the 17 – 14 of them Lexington County residents – for their roles in a drug trafficking organization.

The charges follow a more than 2-year investigation into a methamphetamine distribution in the Lexington area.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of about 35 kilograms of methamphetamine, 116 firearms and quantities of heroin and fentanyl. 

“This operation shows how local and federal agencies can work together to make communities safer,” said Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

“In operations like these, deputies and agents teamed up to get sources of drugs and weapons off the street." 

Those charged are: 

Matthew Ward, 36, of Lexington;

Alecia Youngblood, 38, of Lexington;

Cynthia Rooks, 52, of Lexington;

Rebecca Martinez, 33, of Lexington;

Richard Ford, 62, of Lexington;

Amber Hoffman, 26, of Lexington;

Samuel Judy, 29, of Lexington;

Brian Bruce, 48, of West Columbia;

Montana Barefoot, 25, of Lexington;

John Johnson, 36, of Gaston;

Benjamin Singleton, 46, of Gaston;

Kayla Mattoni, 38, of Lexington;

Clifford Kyzer, 35, of Lexington;

Kelly Jordan, 34, of Williamston;

Kelly Still, 43, of Windsor;

Tiffanie Brooks, 36, of Columbia and

Robert Figueroa, 43, of West Columbia.

The investigation began in July 2017 and identified Youngblood, Ward, and others as key methamphetamine suppliers for major distributors in the Lexington area.

The investigation identified Ward as a leader of the group which moved drugs and firearms across state liness.

Law enforcement officers used controlled purchases, confidential informants and other means to identify, arrest, and charge the others.

The case was investigated by the ATF, FBI, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team, Greenville and Anderson County Sheriff’s Offices, SC Department of Corrections and 11th Circuit Solicitor's Office.