16 indicted for drug trafficking, firearm crimes in Charleston metro area

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Sixteen individuals, some of whom have gang affiliations, who operated out of the Charleston metro area have been indicted on drug trafficking and firearms charges, justice department officials said Thursday.

A federal grand jury in Charleston returned two multi-count indictments that led to the individuals being charged for their roles in trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. The individuals charged operated mainly out of North Charleston and West Ashley. 

Several of them are known to be associated with the Gangster Disciple and Fruit Town Piru street gangs.

In the Gailliard et al indictment, the following were charged, according to court documents: 

• Shawntez Gaillard, 60, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of distribution of 50 gram or more of methamphetamine.
• Bernard Garland Gregory, 36, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine.
• Harold Alvin Champaigne, 49, of North Charleston was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, as well as one count of distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.
• Dominic Jaquan Mack, 44, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
• Sharon T. Carter, 53, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, as well as one count of possessing with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
• Mary Nelly Ayala, 48, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
• Scott Clayton Hollins, 55, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of cocaine, as well as one count of possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Quentin Rambert, 43, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
• Levi Cohen, IV, 30, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
• Jabari Cortez Lee, 28, of North Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
• Marchevis Jefferson, 33, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.

In the Bailey et al indictment, the following were charged, according to court documents:

• Jarell Montsho Bailey, 31, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as eight counts of distribution of cocaine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, three counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• DaQuan Hakeem Lee, 33, of Charleston, was charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
• Cleo Williams, 41, of Summerville, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as one count of distribution of cocaine.
• Meri Elizabeth Sottile, 42, of Charleston, is charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, as well as one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Amanda Danielle Forth, 34, of Charleston, is charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

It all stems from an extensive investigation spearheaded by the Lowcountry Violent Crime Task Force to crack down on drug trafficking and violent crimes in the tri-county area. 

During the investigation, law enforcement seized about 60 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of methamphetamine, 24 pounds of marijuana, 600 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of heroin, thousands of narcotic pills, and 12 firearms.

“These indictments and arrests should provide the community with a sense of reassurance of the FBI’s commitment to work with our state and local partners to make our communities safer,” said Reid Davis, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia field office. “Every resident deserves to live in a safe environment, free from the threats of drugs and violence. The FBI is committed to justice, and we will continue to stand firm in protecting our communities by upholding the rule of law.”

The following agencies assisted with the investigation:

• FBI Columbia Field Office
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• US Secret Service
• City of Charleston Police Department 
• Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
• Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office
• State Law Enforcement Division
• North Charleston Police Department
• Summerville Police Department
• Mount Pleasant Police Department
• Charleston Aviation Authority 
• Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office

 Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Lietzow, Nick Bianchi, and Katie Orville are prosecuting the case.