A Charleston federal grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging more than a dozen people with drug offenses involving cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
Investigation Background
The charges stem from a multi-agency investigation that began in 2017 into street gangs operating in North Charleston, including Gangster Disciples and the Fruit Town Piru, a Bloods sect. The probe uncovered a drug trafficking network extending from South Carolina to Georgia and Mexico.
Seized Drugs and Firearms
Law enforcement seized:
- 61 kilograms of cocaine
- 1 kilogram of methamphetamine
- 24 pounds of marijuana
- 600 grams of fentanyl
- 500 grams of heroin
- Thousands of narcotics pills
- 12 firearms
Arrests and Charges
Several individuals face conspiracy and distribution charges, with potential sentences ranging from 5 years to life depending on the drug type and quantity:
- Shawntex Gailliard, 33 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine & 50+ g meth; 15 years to life
- Harold Alvin Champaigne, 50 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine; 15 years to life
- Odilon Reynoso Albaran, 60 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine; 10 years to life
- Dominic Jaquan Mack, 45 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine; 15 years to life
- Brandon Derrick Brown, 31 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine; 15 years to life
- Anthony Lee Smalls, 50 – Conspiracy to distribute 5+ kg cocaine; 10 years to life
- Travis Richardson, 28 – Conspiracy to distribute 500+ g cocaine; 10 years to life
- Anthony Lorenzo Joyner, 47 – Conspiracy to distribute 500+ g cocaine; 5–40 years
- Damein Rashane Waterman, 45 – Conspiracy to distribute 500+ g cocaine; 10 years to life
- Scott Alexander Bolger, 40 – Conspiracy to distribute 500+ g cocaine; 5–40 years
- Levi Levante Kajana Cohen IV, 31 – Conspiracy to distribute 500+ g cocaine; 5–40 years
- Scott Clayton Hollins, 56 – Conspiracy to distribute meth & cocaine, fentanyl, firearm possession; 20 years to life
- Christopher Obrian Millhouse, 40 – Conspiracy to distribute meth & cocaine; 10 years to life
- Keno Rahmaund Sherman, 48 – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; up to 30 years
Several others previously indicted, including Bernard Garland Gregory, Sharon T. Carter, Mary Nelly Ayala, and others, have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Law Enforcement Warnings
Charleston Police Deputy Chief Jack Weiss warned that fentanyl is sometimes sold disguised as other drugs, like Adderall or Xanax, putting young people at risk.
