Three Charged with Bringing Drugs into Edgefield Federal Prison

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney WILLIAM N. NETTLES stated today that GREGORY LOUIS CONYERS, age 40, of Columbia, SC, ANTONIO HEATH, age 37, of Hepzibah, GA, and BOYCE L. TISDALE, age 30, of Edgefield, SC, were charged in a 19-count Indictment. All defendants were charged in Count One of the Indictment with conspiring to smuggle contraband into the federal prison in Edgefield, South Carolina (FCI-Edgefield), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Additionally, CONYERS and HEATH were charged with violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1791(b)(5) (providing or possessing contraband in prison), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 201(b)(2)(C) (bribery of a public official). Finally, CONYERS was also charged with a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a) (making false statements to federal agents). The Indictment alleges that TISDALE (a native of Columbia, SC) was an inmate and that both CONYERS and HEATH were formerly employed as guards at FCI-Edgefield.

Mr. NETTLES stated the maximum penalty all defendants face on Count One is a five year term of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.00 On the contraband charges, CONYERS and HEATH face a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than six months, and/or a fine of not more than $5,000.00 as to each count charged. As to the bribery charges, CONYERS and HEATH face a maximum term of imprisonment of fifteen years and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Finally, CONYERS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than five years, and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.00 as to the false statement charge.

Mr. Nettles stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Office of Inspector General, Department of Justice (DOJ-OIG) and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorney Mark C. Moore of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this Indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.