Gang Leader and Co-Conspirators Collectively Sentenced to Nearly 55 Years in Federal Prison

Florence, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that nine defendants, including six current or former members of a criminal street gang, were sentenced in federal court on drug and firearms violations.

During the sentencing hearings, United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks characterized the gang as one of the most dangerous criminal organizations the federal government has prosecuted in the Florence and Myrtle Beach areas in many years.

Assistant United States Attorney Andy Moorman presented evidence to the Court that overwhelmingly established that Barbara Landy, age 27, was the leader of a subset of a national criminal street gang, and she communicated directly with a national gang leader who was incarcerated in the Western part of the United States.  As the leader, or four star general, in charge, Landy directed drug shipments, assisted in the trafficking of weapons, and ordered the payment of “homage,” or dues by inferior gang members.  For her leadership role in this dangerous and violent gang, the Court sentenced Landy to 210 months in federal prison.

The Court also sentenced Joshua Randall, age 31, to 195 months in federal prison.  Evidence demonstrated that Randall was a lieutenant in the gang who reported directly to Landy and sold kilogram quantities of heroin and/or fentanyl to customers in the Myrtle Beach and Florence areas.  During the course of the investigation, police arrested Randall on two separate occasions while in possession of guns and drugs.

Lee Tracy Riggins, age 27, was also a member of the gang.  The Government presented evidence that Riggins participated in the gang’s drug distribution and firearms trafficking networks and was integral in gathering guns to be transported to and sold in New York, New York, to generate revenue for the gang.  For his part, the Court sentenced Riggins to 120 months in federal prison.

The remaining Defendants sentenced were either lower level members of the street gang or non-gang members.  Stanley Weaver, Brandon Randall, Jerrick Thomas, Dominique Chatman, Douglas Hart, and Joey Sinclair garnered combined sentences of 130 months, ranging from 35 months in federal prison to time served.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Horry County Sheriff’s Office, the Horry County Police Department, the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department, the 15^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Georgetown Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andy Moorman, Everett McMillian, and Justin Holloway prosecuted the case.

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