9 arrested in Kershaw County after narcotics investigation

Nine of 12 suspects have been arrested following a lengthy narcotics investigation in Kershaw County.

The arrests began with a traffic stop in Bethune Thursday, according to Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews.

“It was widely known in the Town of Bethune and surrounding areas, as well as by the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, that there was a group of individuals who had been selling drugs in and around Bethune, virtually unimpeded over many years,” Matthews said.

State Law Enforecement Division (SLED) agents were called in, and a sworn SLED agent made several hand to hand purchases of crack cocaine, marijuana and assorted pharmaceutical controlled drugs, Matthews said. The buys, which were under the watch of Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office narcotics officers and SLED agents, took place over several months.

SLED agents, Kershaw County deputies, and the Bethune Chief of Police began searching for and arresting those who had sold drugs to undercover agents on Thursday, Matthews said.

The arrests and charges are:

▪ Jimmy Bracey, 51: possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, four counts distribution of crack cocaine, one count distribution of crack cocaine;

▪ Joseph Micol, 53: one count distribution of crack cocaine, two counts distribution of Schedule II controlled substance, three counts distribution of narcotics in proximity to a park, conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance;

▪ Kenshon Hough, 38: two counts distribution of crack cocaine, one count distribution of narcotics in proximity of a park and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine;

▪ Brandon Williams, 24: one count distribution of crack cocaine and one count distribution of marijuana;

▪ Kojuana Williams, 26: one count distribution of crack cocaine and one count distribution of a prescription drug;

▪ Edward Egbert, 56: one count distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance and distribution of narcotics within proximity to a park;

▪ Amanda Starnes, 28: one count distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance, distribution of narcotics within proximity to a park and conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance.

Officers also located and arrested two individuals who were wanted on outstanding bench warrants, Matthews said.

Branden Service was wanted on a general sessions bench warrant for failure to appear on narcotics charges and two magistrate bench warrants for failure to appear, and Cedric Everett was wanted on a family court bench warrant for failure to appear.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "9 arrested in Kershaw County after narcotics investigation."