Attorney General Alan Wilson announces South Carolina State Grand Jury’s “Las Señoritas” investigation results in Upstate indictments against multiple defendants associated with Mexican drug cartels

(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:

• 2019-GS-47-23 (Pickens County)
  • Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
  • Count 101: Distribution of Methamphetamine
    • February 3, 2021

 

• 2020-GS-47-09 (Pickens County)
  • Count 30: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
    • December 9, 2019
  • Count 31: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 10-28 Grams
    • December 19, 2019
  • Count 32: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 100-200 Grams
    • January 7, 2020
  • Count 33: Possession of Methamphetamine, § 44-53-375(A)

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:

• 2019-GS-47-23 (Fourth Superseding Indictment – Pickens County)
  • Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
• 2020-GS-47-09 (Pickens County)
  • Count 38: Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 4-14 Grams
• 2020-GS-47-28 (Superseding Indictment – Greenville County)
  • Count 1: Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (Heroin), 28 Grams or More (Conspiracy)

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 2^nd 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 2^nd:

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                                       

• Prison Empire: 2019-GS-47-23 (Fourth Superseding Indictment – Pickens County)
  • Count 1: Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More (Conspiracy)
  • Count 25: Possession of Less than One Grams Methamphetamine
  • Bond $100K w/ GPS Monitoring

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