A major drug crackdown in South Carolina has led to the arrest of a Kershaw man facing dozens of serious charges. Authorities say the case involves dangerous drugs like fentanyl along with a large number of illegal firearms, raising serious safety concerns.
Case Overview
In Lancaster County, deputies from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46-year-old Jarvis Mandrell Anthony after a detailed investigation into drug activity.
Officials say Anthony is now facing at least 42 charges related to drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession.
How the Investigation Started
Earlier in April, agents from the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force carried out an undercover operation. They reportedly purchased suspected fentanyl from Anthony at his home on Fork Hill Road in Kershaw.
This controlled buy gave officers enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for the property.
Search Operation Details
On April 16, officers executed the search warrant at Anthony’s home. According to Sheriff Barry Faile, Anthony delayed coming out of his bedroom and was seen throwing drugs out of a window in an attempt to hide evidence.
Despite this, authorities recovered a large quantity of drugs and weapons from the property.
Items Recovered During the Raid
Officials reported finding:
- 10.54 grams of suspected fentanyl
- Suspected methamphetamine
- Marijuana and mushrooms
- Alprazolam pills
- Digital scales
Weapons Seized
The search also uncovered a large number of firearms:
- Nine handguns
- Two shotguns (including one sawed-off shotgun)
- One AR-style rifle
- Ammunition and spare magazines
Authorities confirmed that one handgun had been reported stolen from another county.
Other Arrests in the Case
Along with Anthony, two other individuals were arrested:
- Brittany Francis Gainey (34)
- Richard Kevin Outen (44)
Both are residents connected to the same area and were present during the raid.
Charges Against the Accused
Jarvis Mandrell Anthony
Anthony faces the most serious charges, including:
- Trafficking fentanyl (4–14 grams)
- Seven counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
- Multiple counts related to methamphetamine, marijuana, and other substances
- Weapons charges, including possession of firearms during a violent crime
- Illegal possession of a stolen handgun
- Possession of a sawed-off shotgun
He has been denied bond and remains in custody.
Brittany Francis Gainey
She is charged with:
- Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
- Drug-related offences near Marion Boan Park
- Possession of fentanyl
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
Her bond was set at $10,000, and she remains in custody.
Richard Kevin Outen
He faces charges including:
- Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
- Drug-related offences near Marion Boan Park
- Possession of fentanyl
His bond was set at $9,000.
Multi-Agency Operation
The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies working together, including:
- The Sheriff’s Office SWAT team
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
- Homeland Security Investigations
This coordinated effort helped ensure the operation was carried out safely and effectively.
Authorities’ Statement
Sheriff Barry Faile said that the Fork Hill Road area had been under close watch and Anthony was a key target. He also expressed concern about the combination of drugs and weapons found at the location.
According to him, removing these firearms from circulation reduces the risk of future crimes.
Why This Case Is Important
This case highlights two major concerns:
- The growing threat of fentanyl, a highly dangerous drug
- The risk of illegal firearms being used in criminal activities
When drugs and weapons are found together, it increases the danger to the community.
