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Press Release

Two South Carolina Men Indicted for Concealing Opioid Overdose Death

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina--------United States Attorney Beth Drake announced today that Charles Rayford Hunt, Jr., age 40, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was charged in a multi-count indictment with misprision of felony in connection with concealing the distribution of cocaine and heroin the use of which resulted in death, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4.  The indictment alleges that on or about January 30, 2017, Hunt disposed of the body of a victim of a drug overdose and did not as soon as possible make known the same to an appropriate authority. 

Hunt is additionally charged with aiding and abetting the possession of the drugs that led to the overdose.  Jose Anthony Ortiz, Jr., age 38, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was also charged with misprision of felony for his role in destroying the personal effects of the overdose victim. 

The maximum penalty Hunt and Ortiz could receive for the currently pending charges is a fine of $250,000.00 and/or 3 years imprisonment.  The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Everett McMillian of the Florence office for prosecution.  The investigation is ongoing.

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.

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Contact

Lance Crick (864) 282-2105

Updated April 18, 2018

Topic
Opioids