Two Lexington men recently pleaded guilty to charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine.

Christopher David Jeffcoat, 42, and Kenneth Eddy Frye, 59, were convicted in federal court of  conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

“Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Jeffcoat and Frye — along with a third defendant, Jerry Lynn Cordell — were involved in distributing methamphetamine in Lexington County,” the release states. “The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Enforcement Team along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began an investigation of the men.  Using an undercover agent, they made methamphetamine purchases from the men on seven different occasions, buying amounts ranging from 50 grams up to over 200 grams at a time.”

Jeffcoat and Frye face a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison followed by four years of court-ordered supervision and a fine of up to $250,000.

“United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence both men after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office,” the release states. 

“Cordell previously pleaded guilty to his involvement in the conspiracy and is also awaiting sentencing.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

The release notes that the case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. The program emphasized by the Department of Justice pulls together federal, state and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime.