Federal Grand Jury Indictments

Contact Person: A. Lance Crick (864) 282-2105

United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that on February 15, 2017, a Federal Grand Jury in Greenville, South Carolina, returned Indictments against the following:

Spartanburg Man Indicted for Threatening President and President-elect.  Kipper Ken King, age 30, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count indictment with making threats on the lives of the President of the United States and the President-elect, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 871.  The maximum possible penalty King could receive is a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 5 years.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Secret Service and the Spartanburg County Detention Center.  The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Max Cauthen of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Texas Resident Charged with Wire Fraud.  Theresa Lopez Santos, age 65, of Lytle, Texas, was charged in a three-count indictment with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.  The maximum penalty Santos could receive for each count is a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 20 years.  The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney David C. Stephens of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Greenville Resident Indicted on VA Theft.  Hughlyn Zimmerman, age 72, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with theft of government funds, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641.  The maximum penalty Zimmerman could receive is a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  The case was investigated by agents of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Easley Resident Indicted on Defrauding Local Company.  Janna B. Shelby, age 54, of Easley, South Carolina, was charged in a four-count indictment with wire fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343, and mail fraud, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1341.  The maximum penalty Shelby could receive is a maximum fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 20 years.  The case was investigated by agents of the United States Postal Inspection Service and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney William J. Watkins, Jr., of the Greenville office for prosecution.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges.  Xavier Lee Gist, age 22, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a four-count indictment with two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  The maximum penalty Gist could face is a fine of $1,750,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 45 years. The case was investigated by the Spartanburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Drug Charges.  Damaris Ray Hill, age 27, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).  The maximum penalty Hill could face is a fine of $1,000,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 20 years.  The case was investigated by the Spartanburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Fountain Inn Man Indicted on Federal Gun and Drug Charges. Demetrice Ricole Fruster, age 39, of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of hydrocodone, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).  The maximum penalty Fruster could face is a fine of $1,500,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 35 years.  The case was investigated by the Greer Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Rodney Juan Baker, age 56, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(g)(9).  The maximum penalty Baker could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Derrick Lorenzo Casey, age 37, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Casey could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Spartanburg Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Hector Tavoris Gonzalez, age 31, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a person after being convicted of a federal offense, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Gonzalez could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Spartanburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Wells of the Greenville office.

Marietta Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Michael Wayne Capps, age 45, of Marietta, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Capps could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Oconee County Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Howard Eugene Johnson, age 50, of Oconee County, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Johnson could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Anderson Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge and Destructive Device Charge. Timothy Garrett Holmes, age 22, of Anderson, South Carolina, was charged in a two-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), and possession of destructive devices not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a violation of Title 26, United States Code, Sections 5841, 5861(d), and 5871.  The maximum penalty Holmes could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Anderson City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Landrum Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Joshua Shane Verdin, age 32, of Landrum, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 922(g)(9).  The maximum penalty Verdin could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Upstate Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Steven Ray Garner, age 33, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Garner could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years.  This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Greenville Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Travius Isaiah Mayer, age 27, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  The maximum penalty Mayer could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Lance Crick of the Greenville office.

Taylors Man Indicted on Hobbs Act Robbery and Federal Gun Charges. Delmar Deshion Jackson, age 39, of Taylors, South Carolina, was charged in a thirteen-count indictment with conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery and attempted robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section1951(a); conspiracy to use and possess a firearm during a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(o); obstruction of commerce by robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section1951(a); and the use, carry, and possession of a firearm and aiding and abetting the brandishing of the firearm during a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(ii).  The maximum penalty Jackson could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office.

Greer Man Indicted on Child Pornography Charges. Leslie Earle Alverson, age 50, of Greer, South Carolina, was charged in a three-count indictment with possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B); receipt of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(2); and advertising visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(d)(1)(A). The maximum penalty Alverson could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Brewer of the Greenville office.  This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Greenville Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Darius Jacoby Brown, age 27, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Brown could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office.

Anderson Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Matthew Gregory Aldrich, age 31, of Anderson, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Aldrich could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office.

Simpsonville Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge.  Rico Mandreil Sweeney, age 39, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Sweeney could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Simpsonville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office.

Greenwood Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Justin Rashad Spencer, age 26, of Greenwood, South Carolina, was charged in a six-count indictment with possession of firearms by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1); possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1); use and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i); and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).  The maximum penalty Spencer could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or life imprisonment. This case was investigated by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office.

Greenville Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge. Napoleon Isaac Mansell, age 34, of Greenville, South Carolina, was charged in a one-count indictment with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). The maximum penalty Mansell could face is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or imprisonment of 10 years. This case was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office.

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

#####