West Columbia, SC – United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, has announced the successful culmination of a targeted violent crime reduction initiative in West Columbia. Twenty individuals now face federal charges related to firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, and other firearms offenses following a meticulously coordinated multi-agency operation spanning several months.
The initiative, launched by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Columbia in June 2022, responded to an uptick in violent crime in the West Columbia area. The operation aimed to target criminal entities and groups involved in the illegal use, sale, and possession of firearms and narcotics. A controlled buy location was established, where ATF undercover agents and confidential informants conducted controlled purchases of firearms and narcotics from criminal targets. Concurrently, local agencies executed crime suppression operations.
Defendants involved in the case include members of the Bloods, Crips, and Gangster Disciple street gangs. The joint investigation resulted in 20 individuals facing federal charges. Law enforcement seized 210 firearms, including machine gun conversion devices, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Additionally, significant amounts of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, powder fentanyl, crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, and polydrug pills were confiscated.
Some notable charges and defendants include:
- Christopher Huntington, a/k/a “Crazy,” 32, of Lugoff, charged with multiple counts of distributing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Tyrek Carroway, a/k/a “Everything,” 24, of Columbia, charged with multiple counts of distributing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Marcelleus Robinson, a/k/a “Drawdown,” 31, of Columbia, and Howard Parker, 31, of West Columbia, charged with unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of machine guns.
- Joseph Wadsworth, a/k/a “J-Roc,” 39, of Gaston, and Curtis Hill, III, 33, of Lexington, charged with multiple counts of distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Sean Smith, a/k/a “D,” 40, of Cayce, charged with multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
The case underscores the success of collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies, including the West Columbia Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, ATF, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
This prosecution aligns with the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, focusing on evidence-based strategies to reduce violent crime. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the charges in the indictment are accusations.
The United States Attorney emphasized the significance of this operation in dismantling criminal networks, making communities safer, and achieving lasting reductions in crime.
