Moncks Corner Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering

Contact Person: Nick Bianchi (843) 727-4381

Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Keith Scott, age 41, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Charleston, to conspiracy to conduct financial transactions involving proceeds of narcotics trafficking, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h).  United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that during a time period spanning from May 2011 until November 2012, Scott, owner of Main Street Motors auto dealership in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, allowed a known drug dealer to purchase multiple vehicles using proceeds from drug trafficking.  Scott also allowed the purchaser to have other individuals sign paperwork as if they were purchasing the vehicle.   

Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty is imprisonment for 20 years and/or a fine of $500,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston is prosecuting the case.

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