Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Hartsville Meth Trafficking Case

FLORENCE, S.C. - Ramsey Adam Currie, 43, of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Currie was involved along with others in a multi-year methamphetamine conspiracy, which dated back to at least January 2019. Through the investigation, at least 12 individuals gave statements regarding Currie's involvement in the illegal distribution of methamphetamine as well as heroin. In addition, in February 2023, officers with the Lee County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Currie's house, and during the search, Currie attempted to flush a quantity of suspected heroin down the toilet. Officers recovered the heroin before it was flushed and seized five firearms along with ammunition from the house.

Currie faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least five years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment. United States District Judge Joseph Dawson, III accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Currie after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Two co-defendants were previously sentenced after pleading guilty for their role in the methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Clayton Daquon Hall, 35, of Hartsville, was sentenced to 168 months' imprisonment. William Chad Brown, 50, of Darlington, was sentenced to 107 months' imprisonment.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Darlington County Sheriff's Office, the Hartsville Police Department, the Darlington Police Department, the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case.

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