During the operation, presumed to be the largest operation of its kind ever in Anderson County, agents located approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of approximately $500,000; 5 ounces of heroin; 18 pounds of marijuana; 10 guns; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; $245,000 in cash; and 3 cars. This case has made a difference in our community, and getting these dangerous drugs off the street will make a major impact. Still, the slayings set off a bizarre chain of events that officials say included Murdaugh hiring a man to kill him so his older son could collect on his life insurance policy, and dozens of charges against Murdaugh accusing him of financial crimes. Colleton County issued a misdemeanor arrest warrant for the 54-year-old defendant on Feb. 24, according to jail records reviewed by Law&Crime. Brandy Smalley has been charged with possession of a sawed off shotgun. Lets Eat at Waynes Lunchbox in Spindale, N.C. 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The state grand jury also has indicted another attorney and banker, saying they helped Murdaugh take money from clients. Smith's shot only grazed Murdaugh's head on the side of a two-lane road last September, police said. Share on Facebook Facebook We are grateful to all of our law enforcement partners and the state grand jury for helping bring these cases forward and highlighting the serious issue of cell phones in prisons, Stirling said. Its agents have revealed little beyond the fact that the two were shot outside their Colleton County home and Murdaugh called 911, saying he discovered the bodies. Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. All charges in the indictment are only accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The 34-count indictment charges the defendants with various drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses that include: drug trafficking conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana; distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine; maintaining a stash house; felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Kobe Bryant family settles photo lawsuit for $28.5, Man steals American Airlines bus at JFK airport,, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Jury visits crime scene, hears closing arguments, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr: Sources, Gamecocks again clean-up with SEC womens honors, Burke County Celebrating the Year of The Trail, Fashion Trend Tuesday Rustic Jem Boutique. Forest Taylor has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines 3rd or sub. SLED Headquarters 4400 Broad River Road Columbia, SC 29210 Phone: 803.737.9000 Colleton County issued a misdemeanor arrest warrant for the 54-year-old defendant on Feb. 24, according to jail records reviewed by Law&Crime. says NC is destination state for death, Eli Lilly caps insulin costs at $35 per month, Laurinburg woman, 29, missing since Valentines Day, Woman accused of tossing items over SC prison fence, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This indictment speaks to those efforts and illustrates the effectiveness when we work with our federal, state, and local partners. Drugs continue to hamper our society and are the driving force behind violent crime, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office Susan Ferensic said. The Murdaugh trial is taking place at the historic Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, where the large, old Southern courtroom can seat nearly 250 people, or about 5% of Walterboros population of 5,500. No Thanks The case is ongoing and being investigated by the FBI, Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriffs Office, Lexington Police Department, Lexington County Sheriffs Office, Kershaw County Sheriffs Office, SLED, United States Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration DEA, the IRS the FBI Charlotte Field Office, United States Marshals Service. The enterprise pushed illegal drugs, assaults, fear throughout intimidation and everything else they use in what they do on a daily basis.. The trial is expected to last almost three weeks. Investigators shared few details and named no suspects or persons of interest in the slayings. Murdaugh wrote 437 checks worth $2.4 million that Curtis "Eddie" Smith cashed over eight years, keeping some of the money for himself and giving the rest for wide-ranging illegal activities, according to indictments handed up last week and unsealed Tuesday. Smith is the third associate and friend of Murdaugh to face criminal charges. Kerri Blanchard has been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of methamphetamines. Murdaugh is expected to take the witness stand in his own trial for the second time Friday after a strong display of emotion The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather were the elected prosecutors for 87 years straight in Colleton, Hampton and three other counties. His lawyer and friend, Jim Griffin, tells news outlets that Murdaugh's black Mercedes-Benz SUV had a flat tire and he pulled his vehicle over when a pickup truck passed by, turned around and a person inside opened fire. Indictments filed Thursday allege Alex Murdaugh stole nearly $1.4 million. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Email Email. Some of the indictments related to this investigation are sealed. Once prominent and soon-to-be disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh has been indicted again, this time prosecutors saying his crimes extended to Smith is also indicted on other drug charges. Kingstree, South Carolina: The U.S. Attorney for the District of Carolina held a press release today with Atlanta Division Inspector in Charge Tommy Coke and Williamsburg County (SC) Sheriff Stephen R. Gardner, announcing federal indictments that were issued on September 1, 2020 for the September 2019 murder of Andrews, SC letter Christopher Gerardo Cortes Rivera, 27, of Columbia, is charged with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. "My head is on straighter, I'm thinking clearer than I have in a long, long time," Murdaugh says. Waters did not give any more details at Smith's bond hearing Tuesday. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Once prominent and soon-to-be disbarred South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh has been indicted again, this time prosecutors saying his crimes extended to an eight-year money laundering and painkiller ring with a friend and former client charged with trying to help him commit suicide. He decided to not fight the state Supreme Courts decision last week, which ends the legal career of a member of a prominent family that has dominated the legal scene in tiny Hampton County for nearly a century. A South Carolina grand jury in 2022 indicted disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh on double murder and weapon possession charges in connection with the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "I just came back. The gun fired. At least two defendants who are currently inmates were allegedly found in possession of cell phones and meth when they were rounded up for their bond hearings. Johnny Haulbrooks has been charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamines. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Pandemic-era food benefits end for millions of Americans as costs rise, Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". A coroner reveals Margaret and Paul both suffered multiple gunshot wounds, with the estimated time of death between 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Murdaugh is injured in a roadside shooting in Hampton County, authorities say. Above, Murdaugh arrives at his bond hearing on October 19, 2021 in Richland County, South Carolina. The case has drawn intense media coverage, given the political influence of the Murdaugh legal family in South Carolina. Reggie Pruitt has been charged with possession of methamphetamines. Get FBI email alerts Their killings are not referenced in any of the new indictments and both Murdaugh and Smith have adamantly said they had nothing to do with them. The double murder trial against Murdaugh opens at the Colleton County Courthouse with jury selection. The unsolved slayings of Margaret, 52, and the couple's younger son, Paul, 22, in June 2021 shattered the immaculate image of the well-connected legal family in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Between February 1, 2021 and December 14, 2022, law enforcement seized over 25 kilograms of methamphetamine (street value of approximately $800,000.00) and Murdaugh pleads not guilty to the murder charges. Police said Paul Murdaugh was driving the boat while grossly intoxicated and he faced criminal charges when the teen died. This extension, known as the Theme-Oriented Public Site, or TOPS, provides a visualization layer integrated directly with the SCIBRS repository. It's the 16th indictment against Murdaugh on charges ranging from lying to police and trying to arrange his own death to stealing money from clients to arranging a $4.3 million in wrongful death settlements for a housekeeper who died in a fall at his home, then not giving her family a dime. Read More. Jordan Long has been charged with possession of methamphetamines. 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