Final defendant sentenced in Midlands drug conspiracy

Twelve members of a Midlands drug trafficking conspiracy have now been sentenced, federal prosecutors announced on Nov. 4, with the dozen defendants receiving a combined total of more than 154 years in federal prison.

Overall, U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling’s office says more than 60 kilograms (130.3 pounds) of methamphetamine, 30 kilograms (66.1 pounds) of cocaine, 200 grams (7.1 ounces) of fentanyl and additional quantities of MDMA, crack cocaine and marijuana were attributed to the conspiracy.

The following individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the conspiracy:

• Pearish Pierre Pretty, 41, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• William Larry Javis, Jr., 43, of Columbia, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release.

• Demetrius Tyare Glenn, 34, of Lexington, was sentenced to more than 18 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Issac Christopher Bates, 53, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 16 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Johnny Lee Dickerson, 44, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 16 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Maynard Felder Bartlett, 39, of Lexington, was sentenced to more than 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Marsha Beth Gurwitch, 53, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Billy Joe Davis, 42, of Gaston, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Quinton Lamar Anderson, 32, of West Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Miranda Ruth Garrett, 53, of Hopkins, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Darwin Tramaine Sims, 34, of Columbia, was sentenced to more than six years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

• Douglas Steven Raley, 41, of West Columbia, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Columbia Police Department launched an investigation into the drug trafficking organization. Evidence identified Pretty, Javis and Glenn as the leaders of the conspiracy, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

Investigators determined Pretty, Javis, Glenn and Bates served as kilogram-level suppliers of methamphetamine and cocaine to other members, who then redistributed narcotics to others throughout Richland and Lexington counties.

Between September and November 2024, investigators intercepted thousands of drug-related communications among conspiracy members. The investigation revealed several homes and hotels used to store and distribute narcotics. Agents also learned that multiple members were armed while distributing drugs and engaged in the sale and trade of firearms despite being prohibited from possessing them.

In October 2024, agents executed search warrants at four locations associated with the conspiracy. They seized about 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, hundreds of pressed fentanyl pills, 203 grams of cocaine, 150 grams of MDMA, 400 grams of marijuana, five loaded firearms, digital scales, packaging materials and other drug paraphernalia, according to federal prosecutors.

Investigators also discovered that one location housed a pill press used to manufacture counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and MDMA.

In total, through search warrants, controlled purchases and traffic stops, investigators seized more than 3,000 grams of methamphetamine, along with significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA and marijuana, along with multiple firearms.

U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced the conspiracy members to just over a combined 154 years in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

Authorities describe the HSTF as a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.