Cocaine traffickers get more than 96 years

Six members of a large-scale cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy have received significant federal prison sentences, according to Beth Drake, acting U.S. attorney for South Carolina.

Those charged were responsible for the distribution of more than 150 kilograms of cocaine in Sumter and Richland counties, agents said. The drugs had a wholesale value of $6 million, authorities said.

Agents seized more than 9 kilograms of powder cocaine, almost $900,000 in cash and eight firearms.

U.S. Judge Terry L. Wooten imposed sentences Thursday on the conspirators, who previously had pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.

Those sentenced in Columbia were:

▪ Patar ONeal Montgomery, 38, of Dalzell: 156 months with five years of supervised release to follow;

▪ Donald Antwon Dingle, 24, of Sumter: 115 months with four years of supervised release;

▪ Andre Lewayne Brooks, 29, of Horatio: 78 months with six years of supervised release;

▪ Corey Emanuel White, 29, of Sumter: 262 months with eight years of supervised release;

▪ Michael Antonio Floyd, 42, of Bishopville: 276 months with eight years of supervised release; and

▪ Jimmy Tony McDowell, 40, of Sumter: 276 months with eight years of supervised release.

The defendants were charged with distributing more than 65 kilograms of powder cocaine and more than 650 grams of crack cocaine during the course of the conspiracy, which lasted from about April 2012 until July 2015.

Those receiving longer sentences were classified as “career offenders,” meaning each had previously been convicted of two or more felony drug convictions in state and/or federal court.

Eight other defendants will be sentenced at a later time by Wooten.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Cocaine traffickers get more than 96 years."