Attorney General Alan Wilson announces 3 plead guilty in fentanyl-related overdose deaths; members of drug trafficking organization also plead

(COLUMBIA, SC) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that 11 defendants charged in the South Carolina State Grand Jury narcotics trafficking investigation known as “Devil in Disguise” have pleaded guilty. Three defendants were directly connected to fentanyl-related overdose deaths. 

“This case highlights the fact that fentanyl coming across our southern border makes its way to South Carolina and kills people in our state,” Attorney General Wilson said. “My office is going after the drug traffickers spreading this poison and holding them accountable.”

Amanda Raye Massengale pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy); Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams, 1^st (Conspiracy); (x2) Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams; and (x2) Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. 

Massengale was one of the main distributors of fentanyl in the case. She was known for selling the most potent fentanyl, describing it as “the stuff that killed Elvis” and “tranquilizer.” She even promoted her product by sending text message videos of users overdosing to other customers (fentanyl users seek out the strongest product because of their high tolerance). 

On March 20, 2022, Massengale distributed fentanyl to Dean Morris Wolvington, a co-conspirator and friend of Massengale, who sold the drugs to Emily Turner. The next morning, Turner’s six-year-old son opened the door when his grandmother came to their house and told her, “Mommy won’t wake up.” Turner’s mom found her deceased in her bed. She died of acute fentanyl intoxication. Emily was 24 years old and left behind three children. 

On July 11, 2022, Massengale distributed fentanyl to David Harrison Thrift, another co-conspirator and friend, who sold the drugs to Nathan Flaugher. Flaugher’s girlfriend found him dead the next morning. He died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and was 29 years old. 

Massengale was sentenced to 22 years in prison by Judge R. Scott Sprouse. 

Wolvington’s charges include (x2) Distribution of Fentanyl, Money Laundering, Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy), and Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. He was sentenced to 17 years. 

Thrift’s charges include (x2) Distribution of Fentanyl, Distribution of Fentanyl Near School, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy), and Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. He was sentenced to 14 years.       

According to the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Greenville County had 278 drug-related overdose deaths in 2022, most of which were related to fentanyl trafficking. The DEA advises that two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2mg of fentanyl, a potentially lethal dose. 

Every time a person uses fentanyl, they are playing Russian roulette with their life.  Drug dealers may not lose their lives, but if they are caught distributing fentanyl, it could cost them the rest of their lives in prison.

Other defendants sentenced in the case include:

Steve Cummings pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy), Distribution of Fentanyl, Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams, and Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams. He was sentenced to 18 years.

Gregory Miller pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy), Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. He was sentenced to 13 years.

Raymond Anthony Jordan, Jr. pleaded guilty to (x2) Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 Grams; Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams, and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime. He was sentenced to 13 years. 

Reco Lamar Seaborn pleaded guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams (Conspiracy).  He was sentenced to 11 years.

Shamus Sullivan pleaded guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 Grams (Conspiracy). He was sentenced to 10 years. 

Michael Eric Cox pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy). He was sentenced to 5 years.

Corey Allen Cook pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl (Conspiracy) and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. He was sentenced to 3 years of the Home Incarceration Program.

Germaziay Nyshun Whitner pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. He was sentenced to 90 days.

Assistant Attorney General Savanna Goude handled the guilty pleas. The case was investigated by the South Carolina State Grand Jury, which was assisted in this case by a partnership of the Attorney General’s State Grand Jury Division, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, South Carolina National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Pickens County Coroner’s Office, Easley Police Department, Pickens Police Department, and Greenville Police Department, Traveler’s Rest Police Department, Greer Police Department.

The next court date is scheduled for the week of March 2, 2026, in Greenville County. 

Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.