Attorney General Alan Wilson announces Operation “Duffle Bag Boyz”: State Grand Jury indicts large drug trafficking and dogfighting ring

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has launched a large-scale operation to apprehend 25 individuals associated with a narcotics trafficking organization primarily based in Chester and Lancaster Counties. These indictments followed a multi-jurisdictional investigation with cooperation among a number of law enforcement agencies in the area. This organization, which also has connections to SCDC inmates, allegedly trafficked large amounts of narcotics in the Midlands, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. A number of the defendants are also indicted for dogfighting.

Attorney General Alan Wilson said, “The scourge of illegal narcotics affects all communities in South Carolina, both large and small. I’m proud to help facilitate a true partnership amongst state, local, and federal agencies to fight this type of crime. The State Grand Jury is the perfect vehicle to combine and focus the efforts of multiple agencies in operations like this.” 

“It’s unfortunately all too common to see allegations of drug trafficking, felony possession of firearms, and dogfighting all together,” State Grand Jury Division Chief Attorney Creighton Waters said. 

Prior to yesterday’s roundup, the operation had seized 2.62 pounds of fentanyl, 6.88 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.21 pounds of cocaine, 4.5 ounces of crack cocaine, 2.5 pounds of marijuana, and over 30 firearms. Investigators seized 47 dogs, and typically some of them will have to be euthanized despite efforts to save them. Over 10,000 pressed fentanyl pills have been seized. Over 4 more pounds of additional suspected fentanyl, additional firearms, and other evidence were seized in roundup operations yesterday, and analysis of that new evidence remains pending. 

“SLED agents and our partners continue to work tirelessly to rid communities around the state of dangerous drugs. This case is a prime example of the great partnerships we have in South Carolina working together to hold drug dealers accountable,” SLED Chief Mark Keel said. 

Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said, “In South Carolina, drug trafficking and violent gun crime are inseparable, and we will not tolerate either. Today's indictments prove what happens when local and state law enforcement stand shoulder to shoulder. I want to thank Sheriff Faile, Chief Keel, and Attorney General Wilson for their essential partnership in ridding our streets of this poison and protecting the people of Chester County.”

Lancaster County Sheriff Barry S. Faile said, “I’ve made it a priority to target those in our community who sell illegal narcotics. These drugs ruin lives, destroy families, and far too often kill people. The drug trade also fuels other crimes like murder, robbery, theft, and dog fighting, as this operation shows. The arrests made yesterday are the culmination of an investigation that has been going on for a year and a half and has involved city, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Relationships built among agencies make this kind of cooperation possible, and it takes cooperation to put together an event involving multiple defendants at multiple locations in several jurisdictions. I appreciate the hard work of all our partners in this investigation and the leadership of Attorney General Alan Wilson and the State Grand Jury in making this possible.”

“HSI and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate the criminal activity that fuels violence and endangers our communities,” said Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations in the Carolinas. “This operation disrupted individuals involved in drug trafficking, dog fighting, and other violent criminal activity. HSI is proud to stand alongside SLED and the Lancaster and Chester County Sheriff’s Offices as we hold accountable those who profit from poisoning our communities and threatening public safety.”

The investigation has thus far returned 25 defendants in indictments covering 129 counts. A list of the charges to date is below.

Five of the defendants are inmates at the South Carolina Department of Corrections. SCDC Director Joel Anderson said, "These arrests highlight the urgent need for state prisons to be allowed to jam illegal cellphone signals and stop inmates from using contraband phones to commit crimes. We are working hard to get those laws changed. I appreciate the Attorney General bringing together this law enforcement team to rid the streets of these criminals and hold them accountable for flooding our communities with these killer drugs.”

Bond hearings for defendants who have not had one will be held Thursday, October 22, 2026, before the Honorable Heath Taylor at the Richland County Courthouse.

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 (SLED), the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Lancaster PD, and the FBI. The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General John Conrad and Jennifer McKellar, and State Grand Jury Division Chief Creighton Waters. Both Attorney General Wilson and Waters thanked all the law enforcement, prosecutors, and staff for their hard work.  

DUFFLE BAG BOYZ: 10/21/26

(1)      Korey Tavaris Bailey

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                     i.        Possession with intent to distribute cocaine

                                   Felony; Not more than 15 years and/or not more than $25,000

                    ii.        Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams (4x)

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   iii.        Trafficking Fentanyl 14-28 grams (2x)

                                   Felony

                    iv.        Distribution of Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                     v.        Trafficking cocaine 200-400 grams

                                   Felony; 25 years and $50,000

                    vi.        Trafficking cocaine 28-100 grams

                                   Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                    vii.       Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  viii.        Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony (2x)

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(2)  Nicholas Dooley

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                    i.          Trafficking Fentanyl 28 grams or more

                                   25-40 Years, $200,000

                   ii.          Trafficking Methamphetamine 10-28 grams

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                  iii.          Trafficking MDMA 100-500 dosage units

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $20,000

                  iv.           Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   v.           Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(3)  Darren Simpson

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                    i.          Possession with intent to distribute cocaine

                                   Felony; Not more than 15 years and/or not more than $25,000

                   ii.          Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

(4)  Diara Talford

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                    i.          Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 grams (2x)

                                   Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                   ii.          Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 grams

                                   Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                  iii.          Dogfighting (7x)

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or $5,000

                   iv.          Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                    v.          Trafficking crack cocaine 10-28 grams

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   vi.          Possession with intent to distribute psilocybin

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  vii.          Possession with intent to distribute schedule IV substance

                                   Misdemeanor; Not more than 3 years and/or not more than $6,000

                 viii.          Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(5)  Devin Mobley

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                    i.           Dogfighting (9x)

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or $5,000

                   ii.           Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  iii.           Possession of methamphetamine

                                   Misdemeanor; Not more than 3 years and/or not more than $5,000

                   iv.           Possession of Schedule II substance

                                   Misdemeanor; Not more than 2 years and/or not more than $5,000

(6)  Rodgerio Douglas

               2026-GS-47-33 (Chester County)

                                 Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams (3x)

                                    Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

(7)  Taures Price (SCDC)

                                 Possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain offenses

                                    Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

LANCASTER

(8)      Joshua Keshon Talford (“Key”)

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                 Felony; Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 grams (4x)

                                    25 years and $50,000

(9)  Lonnie Crawford

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.          Distribution of Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                   ii.          Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 grams (3x)

                                   Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                  iii.           Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more

                                   Felony; 25-30 years and $200,000

                  iv.           Trafficking fentanyl 4-14 grams

                                   7-25 years, $50,000

                   v.           Trafficking cocaine 28-100 grams

                                   Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                  vi.           Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                 vii.           Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(10)               Xavier Twitty

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.           Distribution of Methamphetamine – (3x)

                                   0-15 years

                   ii.           Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  iii.           Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl - (2x)

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                   iv.           Possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain offenses

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

                    v.           Distribution of Fentanyl

                                   Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $10,000

                   vi.          Trafficking methamphetamine, 10-28 grams

                                    Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                  vii.          Trafficking fentanyl 14-28 grams

                                     25 years, $200,000

(11)               Rogelio Mata (SCDC)

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                 Distribution of Methamphetamine

                                  1.    Code refers to cocaine, not meth

                                  2.    Not more than 15 years and/or not more than $25,000

(12)               Christopher Chappell

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.            Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                    Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   ii.            Trafficking Fentanyl 28 grams or more

                                     25-40 years, $200,000

                  iii.            Trafficking methamphetamine, 10-28 grams

                                     Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   iv.           Possession with intent schedule III substance

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                    v.           Possession with intent schedule II substance

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  vi.            Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(13)               Coreytito Wright (SCDC)

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking fentanyl 14-28 grams

                                    25 years, $200,000

(14)               Zion Hairston

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.            Trafficking fentanyl 14-28 grams (3x)

                                    25 years, $200,000

                   ii.            Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

                                    Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  iii.            Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                    Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   iv.           Trafficking fentanyl 28 grams or more (4x)

                                     25-40 years, $200,000

                    v.           Trafficking methamphetamine, 200-400 grams (2x)

                                      Felony; 25 years and $100,000

                   vi.           Dogfighting (17x)

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or $5,000

                  vii.           Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more (2x)

                                      Felony; 25-30 years and $200,000

(15)               Melikeo Roseborough

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 grams

                                    7-25 years, $50,000

(16)               Shibree Truesdale

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 grams

                                    7-25 years, $50,000

(17)               Koricko Cunningham

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking Cocaine 10-28 grams

                                     Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

(18)               Syrasheon Rice

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 grams (2x)

                                     7-25 years, $50,000

(19)               Nicos Little

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Dogfighting (17x)

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or $5,000

(20)               Dallas Mathis (SCDC)

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Distribution of Methamphetamine

                                     Felony; 0-15 years

(21)               Bobrentay Jackson

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.            Trafficking fentanyl 28 grams or more

                                     25-40 years, $200,000

                   ii.            Trafficking methamphetamine, 200-400 grams

                                      Felony; 25 years and $100,000

                  iii.            Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                      Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                   iv.           Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base

                                      Felony; Not more than 15 years and/or not more than $25,000

                    v.           Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                  vi.            Dogfighting (5x)

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or $5,000

(22)               Keyache Davis

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.             Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more

                                      Felony; 25-30 years and $200,000

                   ii.             Trafficking methamphetamine, 100-200 grams

                                      Felony; 25 years and $50,000

                  iii.             Trafficking methamphetamine, 200-400 grams

                                      Felony; 25 years and $100,000

(23)               Cedric Wright (SCDC)

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                    i.             Distribution of fentanyl

                                      Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $5,000

                   ii.             Trafficking cocaine 10-28 grams

                                       Felony; 3-10 years and $25,000

                  iii.             Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 grams

                                       7-25 years, $50,000

                   iv.            Trafficking methamphetamine, 28-100 grams

                                       Felony; 7-25 years and $50,000

                    v.            Possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent felony

                                       Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

(24)               Javarus Hayden

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 grams

                                       Felony; 25 years and $100,000

(25)               Dayqwann Blakeny

               2026-GS-47-31 (Lancaster County)

                                  Possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain offenses

                                       Felony; Not more than 5 years and/or not more than $2,000

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