Former Lee County Sheriff Melvin Indicted

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Edgar Jerome Melvin, age 47, of Bishopville, SC, was charged in a 47-count second superseding indictment with various violations of federal law. The superseding indictment charges Melvin with the following offenses;

1. Operating the affairs of the Lee County Sheriff’s department through a pattern of racketeering, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(c) (commonly called the RICO statute);
2. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of powder cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846;
3. Twenty counts of extorting kickbacks from drug dealers, persons charged with offenses, and persons seeking benefits from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department in return for protection and/or preferential treatment in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951 (commonly called the Hobbs Act);
4. Converting more than $5,000 in funds designated for victim assistance and services in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666;
5. Three counts of money laundering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956;
6. Three counts of making false statements to federal and state law enforcement agents, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001; and
7. Seventeen counts of using a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).

Mr. Nettles stated that Melvin faces a mandatory minimum term of at least 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment if convicted on the drug conspiracy charge (Count 2); and also faces a maximum fine of $4,000,000 and a term of supervised release of five years. If convicted on the racketeering charges (COUNT 1), Melvin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years (or for life  if the violation is based on a racketeering activity for which the maximum penalty includes life imprisonment), a fine of not more than $250,000, and a term of supervised release of three years.

Mr. Nettles stated that the case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and that he has assigned the case to Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Moore, J.D. Rowell and Debbie Barbier of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.