Two Midlands Men Sentenced for Their Role in Drug Conspiracy

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Drain Maurice Mazone, 54, of Irmo, and Clinton Raymond Donaldson, 42, of Columbia, have been sentenced to 13 years and three years respectively in federal prison for their role in a drug conspiracy.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Mazone and Donaldson, along with others, were involved in a drug conspiracy that began in Arizona. Drugs were purchased in Arizona and shipped to Mazone, who was involved in distributing them. Donaldson provided local addresses where packages would be shipped and also helped distribute the contraband. Proceeds from the drug sales were sent back to the distributor in Arizona. Some packages of drugs were shipped through the mail to Columbia, Florence, Myrtle Beach as well as locations in North Carolina, Maryland, and Florida. All four members of the conspiracy have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their involvement in the conspiracy.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Mazone to 156 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision and Donaldson to 36 months' imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of supervision for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of marijuana. There is no parole in the federal system.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.

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