MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs, together with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, announced that more than a dozen individuals were charged in federal court in connection with narcotics, firearms, and conspiracy offenses after a targeted violent crime reduction initiative in Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. The indictments are a result of a series of coordinated arrests made following a targeted multi-agency investigation that spanned several months.
In February of 2023, in response to rising violent crime in the Myrtle Beach area, the FBI Columbia Field Office assisted local and state law enforcement agencies in an advanced, intelligence-based, multi-faceted law enforcement operation. The FBI identified communities in Myrtle Beach that were experiencing high levels of gang and narcotics-related violence. The purpose of the operation was to target criminal entities, specifically those engaged in the illegal possession and distribution of narcotics, such as the Rollin’ 90s Crips, G-Shine Bloods, and Gangster Disciples. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials concentrated resources and personnel in these areas to curb the narcotics trafficking and its related violence.
The joint investigation has led to 13 defendants facing federal charges. Agents seized multiple firearms, ammunition, and various dangerous drugs such as fentanyl.
The following charges have been filed in United States District Court, according to court documents:
- Tyrone Louis Harts, Jr., 35, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5oo grams or more of cocaine and less than 50 kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, Harts was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Brandon Javon Sutton, 31, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine.
- Cedric Lamar Brown, 43, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 4oo grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a quantity of cocaine. Additionally, Brown was charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm.
- Elizar Edward Marcus, 44, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- Dorian Derrell Williams, 30, of Conway, and James Jenkins, Jr., 34, of Loris, were charged with conspiring to distribute 4oo grams or more of fentanyl.
- Akeem O’Brien Tisdale-Giles, 33, of Georgetown, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
- Maurice Fleming, 42, of Manning, Edward Pigotte, 45, of Myrtle Beach, and Theron Levon Holmes, 45, of Georgetown, were charged with conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine.
- Ronald Eric Campbell, 43, of Florence, was charged with conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
- Matthew Tennerrol Brown, 39, of Columbia, was charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
- Adam Temple, 39, of Little River, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Myrtle Beach Police Department, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Horry County Police Department, Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, Georgetown City Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, North Myrtle Beach Police Department, Conway Police Department, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Coastal Carolina University Police Department, 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, 15th Circuit DEU, Horry County Fire and Rescue, Charleston Fire Department, Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The federal cases stemming from this investigation are being prosecuted by a team of Assistant United States Attorneys in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Ellis.
This prosecution 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.
The United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.