© 2025 South Carolina Attorney General's Office • Website by 37 Gears
JAN 12, 2023
(COLUMBIA, SC) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has issued indictments in the drug trafficking case known as “Las Señoritas”. The indictments currently unsealed in the investigation collectively contain 170 charges against 43 defendants.
“It might surprise people that cartel drug trafficking happens in South Carolina, but it does and we’re fighting to stop it,” Attorney General Wilson said. “By working with our partners at SLED and local agencies, we’re able to investigate and prosecute complex trafficking conspiracies like this one and defend the rule of law. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all the different agencies, investigators, prosecutors, and everyone behind the scenes who have helped in this case.”
On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (“SLED”), along with local law enforcement, began arresting targets of this investigation. The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) operating in Pickens, Greenville, Laurens, Anderson, and Oconee Counties. Forty-three co-conspirators are charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy), which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years. These co-conspirators are also facing multiple charges related to their role in the DTO.
The investigation is named “Las Señoritas” because several of the main targets are women who have allegedly fled to Mexico to escape prosecution in the United States. Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, and Amy Deanna Cobb a/k/a Emma allegedly fled to Mexico in late 2018-2020. Defendant Marcy Dawn Vickers allegedly fled in 2022. Defendant Kelli Edwards allegedly fled in October 2022. Defendant Michael Pardi allegedly fled last month. These defendants are allegedly living among Jalisco New Generation Cartel members and sourcing drugs directly from the Cartel.
The “Señoritas” would allegedly coordinate with SCDC inmates via contraband cell phones to have drugs, primarily methamphetamine, delivered to co-conspirators in the South Carolina Upstate. These co-conspirators would drive to Atlanta, GA, or other locations to pick up kilograms of methamphetamine, bring that methamphetamine to South Carolina, and distribute it in the Upstate. Between February 1, 2021 and December 14, 2022, law enforcement seized over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine (street value of approximately $800,000.00) and 30 guns as part of this investigation.
SCDC Inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. a/k/a “DJ” and Matthew David McCoy have been involved in drug trafficking since 2011. Both brothers have been incarcerated at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from prison using contraband cell phones. The McCoys were served with Notice of the State’s Intention to Seek Sentencing of Life Without the Possibility of Parole at their bond hearings last week.
The Federal Communications Commission passed a rule that will allow state prisons to identify contraband cellphones and require carriers to turn the phone signals off in 2021.
“We were the first state prison system to apply under this rule and months later, five vendors that have completed the vendor application process are still waiting on the FCC to approve the applications to provide this service,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “I urge the commission to act quickly so we can stop this stop this criminal activity from being orchestrated from behind our nation’s state prison walls.”
While South Carolina has long lobbied Congress to pass the Cellphone Jamming Reform Act, which would allow state prison systems to jam cellphone signals, the act has never received a hearing.
“Everyone in America would be safer if Congress would pass this legislation,” Stirling said.
Judge DeAndrea Benjamin denied bond for twenty-three of the thirty-two defendants who were arrested.
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 South Carolina Department of Corrections’ Office of the Inspector General, the Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor’s office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department, Abbeville County Sheriff's Office, Oconee County Sheriff's Office, Travelers Rest Police Department, and the Clemson Police Department.
Charges against the defendants are listed below.
Attorney General Wilson and Solicitor Wilkins stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
Las Señoritas Charge Summary
PICKENS 2022-GS-47-16
CHELSIE MARIE ANDERSON-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
JENNIFER NICOLE BURNS-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
AMY DEANNA COBB A/K/A “EMMA” -Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
MARCY DAWN VICKERS-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Defendants currently at large and fled to Mexico.
Wade Watkins:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Prison Empire:
2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County)
Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
January 1, 2015 to May 18, 2021
Count 12: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
Count 13: Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of or Attempt to Commit a Violent Crime
Count 14: Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
March 18, 2019
PE Bond: $65,000 bond with GPS
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied
Dustin Ward (aka Duh Duh):
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
PE:
2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County) Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied
Samantha Diane Chavez Aiken:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 2-Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 3-Trafficking Meth, 10-28 Grams
Was in Covid quarantine at SCDC @ time of bond hearings
Malary Lynn Bates:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 4-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 6-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Count 7-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
Counts 8-11-PWDVC (x4)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied
Kelli Denise Edwards:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 12- Trafficking Methamphetamine 10-28 (Pickens)
Currently at large; Fled to Mexico in October 2022
Travis Mitchell Hendricks:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 13- Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 14-Distribution of Methamphetamine
Count 15- Trafficking Meth 10-28 Grams
PE:
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied
Darrell Foster McCoy (aka: D.J.)
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 4-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 6-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Count 17- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Count 23-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100
Greenville 2022-GS-47-19
Count 1–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 Grams
Count 14-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
ANDERSON 2022-GS-47-20
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Pending charges in PE:
2019-GS-47-23 (Count 1): Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
2020-GS-47-09 (Count 38): Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 4-14 Grams-Pickens
2020-GS-47-28 (Count 1): Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 28 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Greenville
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied; Served with LWOP Notice
Matthew David McCoy:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 8- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Greenville 2022-GS-47-19
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
LAURENS 2022-GS-47-18
Count 2-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Charged in PE: 2019-GS-47-23 (Count 1): Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
SCDC: Admitted June 8, 2016 for Family Tradition convictions; Projected release date is April 5, 2025
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied; Served with LWOP Notice
Tony Eugene McCoy:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
PE:
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied
Audrey Danielle Nichols:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 18-Trafficking Meth 400 Grams or More
Count 19-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $65K concurrent with county bond on adopted charges; GPS w/ House Arrest and Immediate Arrest upon violation of GPS/HA conditions
Michael Perino Pardi-
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 18-Trafficking Meth 400 Grams or More
Count 19-PWDVC
Currently at large; Fled to Mexico in December 2022
Michael Duane Payne:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 17- Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Kasey Leigh Rasberry:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 23-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 28-100 Grams
Count 25–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Count 26-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 27- PWID Other Substances in Schedule I (MJ)
Bond hearing on 01-05-2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Sabrina Nicole Rochester:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 20-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 2nd Offense
Count 21-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 22-Poss. of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $50K SB NO 10%; be released to rehab facility; GPS to be on house arrest at in-patient rehab facility or to work; immediate pick up upon violation of GPS/House Arrest
Robert Vincent Wood:
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 28-Distribution of Meth
Count 29-Trafficking Meth, 28-100 Grams
Count 30-PWID Meth
Bond hearing continued due to attorney issue.
Abygail Taylor:
Pickens
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 31–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Participate in drug rehabilitation program (3-6M) @ PCDC, $75K SB no 10%; live with parents; GPS & HA (work, legal, medical); immediate arrest upon violation of GPS/House Arrest
James Edward Hagan
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
Count 32-Trafficking Meth, 28-100 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Greenville 2022-GS-47-19
Monica Denise Bearden
Count 1- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 1–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams-Greenville
Bond not set as of January 9, 2023 because not apprehended until January 6, 2023
Melissa Hope Finley:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Greenville
Count 19–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 20–PWDVC
Count 21–PWDVC
Count 23–Poss Stolen Vehicle, Value $10K or More
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 25-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Donald Barry Hudson 2nd:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 19–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 22–PWDVC
Count 23–Poss Stolen Vehicle, Value $10K or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Glenn Michael Moccia (Mosha) Jr:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 24–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Nicholas Vincent Gracely:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 26–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 27–Manufacture Methamphetamine
Count 28–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 29–PWDVC
Count 30–PWDVC
Count 31-Unlawful Conduct Towards Child
Bond hearing with Judge Benjamin on January 5, 2023: Bond denied
Autumn Alexandria Powers:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 28–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 31-Unlawful Conduct Towards Child
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: $50K w/ no 10%; GPS and House Arrest; Immediate arrest upon violation of GPS and House Arrest Conditons
Heather Michelle Hamilton
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 14-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied
Stacy Lynn Brooks:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2 –Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 4–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 5– PWDVC
Count 6–PWDVC
Count 7–PWDVC
Count 8–PWDVC
Count 9–PWDVC
Count 10–PWDVC
Count 11–PWDVC
Count 12–PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Leanne Renee Jones:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 4–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 5– PWDVC
Count 6–PWDVC
Count 7–PWDVC
Count 8–PWDVC
Count 9–PWDVC
Count 10–PWDVC
Count 11–PWDVC
Count 12–PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Srie Lourdes Henebry:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 13–Distribution of Methamphetamine
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Participate in jail rehab program; bond denied but may be reconsidered upon completion of program
Joseph Edward Moore:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 2–Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 3–PWDVC
Count 13–Distribution of Methamphetamine
Bond denied by Judge Benjamin on January 5, 2023
Stephanie Annette Lipe:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15–Trafficking Meth, 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K no 10%, GPS w/ HA provisions, immediate arrest upon violation of house arrest
Heather Marie Griffin:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 16-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K; GPS & HA; no contact with co-D; immediate pick-up upon violation of GPS & HA; all standard SGJ provisions
Taylor Suzanne Oates:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 18-PWDVC
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K no 10% GPS & HA w/ immediate pick-up up violation
Angela Nicole Welborn:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 17-Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond Denied
Harlie Danielle Willford:
Count 1-Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More-Pickens
Greenville
Count 32–Trafficking Methamphetamine 400 Grams or More
Count 33-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 34-PWDVC
Oconee
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More
Count 2-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Bond hearing rescheduled
Arther Shane Mashburn:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 35-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 36-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on January 5, 2013 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied
ANDERSON 2022-GS-47-20
Travis Matthew Bentley:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Count 2-PWID Methamphetamine
Count 3-PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch. II (Fentanyl)
Count 4-PWID Other Substances in Schedule I (MJ)
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: Bond denied
Austin Ryan Brewington
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 (Anderson)
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams (Laurens)
Tracy Yvonne Posey Matthews:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Count 15-Trafficking Methamphetamine 28-100 (Anderson)
Bond hearing postponed due to Defendant being in SCDC Covid quarantine.
Randall Gene Posey:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Anderson
Count 5-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200-400 Grams
Count 6- PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch II (Cocaine)
Count 7-PWID Narcotic Drugs in Sch II (611 pills amphetamine)
Count 8-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 9-Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime
Count 10-PWDVC
Count 11-PWDVC
Count 12-PWDVC
Count 13-PWDVC
Count 14-Possession of Destructive Device
Bond hearing on January 5, 2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: bond denied
LAURENS 2022-GS-47-18
Tracy Ann Fore:
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)-Pickens
Laurens
Count 1-Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
Count 2-Trafficking Methamphetamine 100-200 Grams
Bond hearing on 01/05/2023 w/ Judge Benjamin: $100K SB no $10% w/ standard SGJ conditions w/ GPS (HA 9PM-6AM) and provision of immediate arrest upon violation of GPS
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