Charleston, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Demetrius Dwayne Swinton, a/k/a “Million Dolla Meat,” age 31, of Ridgeland, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine. United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel, of Charleston, sentenced Swinton to 22 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Swinton also agreed to forfeit $500,000, two vehicles, and several pieces of jewelry.
Evidence presented in the case established that Swinton was the leader of a cocaine trafficking organization that was responsible for bringing a large volume of cocaine into South Carolina, primarily into Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Agents and prosecutors established that Swinton was receiving multiple kilograms of cocaine at a time from a source of supply in Atlanta, Georgia, and that he used a number of associates to assist in both the distribution of drugs and the collection of drug proceeds. Swinton was responsible for moving at least 74 kilograms of cocaine into those communities, and he used violence and intimidation to maintain his status as a main drug supplier to that area. During the course of the investigation, agents seized over 47 kilograms of cocaine, 782 grams of crack cocaine, 6 kilograms of marijuana, 97 grams of heroin, 10 firearms, 5 vehicles, over $50,000 worth of jewelry, and over $68,000 cash.
In addition to Swinton, three of his co-defendants have also been sentenced by Judge Gergel. Travis Wiggins, a/k/a “Trap”, age 28, of Ridgeland, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Ernest Fields, a/k/a “Fly”, age 39, of Hilton Head, was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.
Boston Brown, age 32, of Bluffton, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine.
“It is our hope and belief that the significant sentences handed down to Swinton and his associates send a message to those hoping to fill their void and allow these communities, which have been ravaged by drug trafficking and violence, an opportunity to heal,” said U.S. Attorney Lydon. “We appreciate the efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in working together to hold these men accountable for such serious crimes.”
"The 14th Circuit is safer today because Swinton is in prison," added Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone. "It's fortunate that we've had this tremendous partnership with the U.S. Attorney's Office in place for a number of years now. It has been invaluable in our efforts to get dangerous people like Swinton off the streets."
Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated, "DEA and the entire law enforcement community are committed to making our society safe by removing such criminals from the streets. These notorious drug dealers distributed poison to the community and caused fear through means of violence and intimidation. The success of this investigation was due to the skillful investigative efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts."
“Identifying and investigating drug trafficking organizations is one of Homeland Security Investigations’ major priorities to protect the public from the serious harm these criminals inflict without any regard for the violence and public health damage they cause,” said John Eisert, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte. “This case also illustrates the importance of collaborative working relationships between HSI and our federal, state and our local law enforcement partners to keep communities safe, and HSI is appreciative of their cooperation as well as the U.S. Attorney’s office in successfully bringing these individuals to justice.”
The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Hampton County Sheriff’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, Hardeeville Police Department, City of Charleston Police Department, Summerville Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and South Carolina National Guard. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston Office and Special Assistant United States Attorney Carra Henderson of the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office are prosecuting the case.
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