Sumter man sentenced to 16 years for trafficking; One of 16 netted in county-wide drug sting

A Sumter man is facing 16 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to several counts of drug trafficking Monday evening following his arrest in March during a county-wide drug sting that netted 15 other suspects.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Braden bunch said 25-year-old Devin Rodriguez pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking cocaine and one additional count of trafficking crack cocaine at a hearing held at the Sumter County Judicial Center.

Bunch said as a part of his sentence, Rodriguez was also given a $1,050 fine.

In March, officers with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office concluded a six-month county-wide drug investigation in partnership with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Bunch said. The investigation netted arrests from several parts of the county including the Mayesville, Shiloh, Pinewood, Cherryvale, Rembert and Wedgefield communities.

While investigating Rodriguez’s illegal drug activity, Bunch said undercover officers were able to seize approximately 13 grams of crack cocaine, with a street value of $2,600, and 44 grams of cocaine, with a street value over $8,800.

Bunch said the sheriff’s office will continue to assist the Third Circuit Solicitor’s Office in the prosecution of the charges.

This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 9:47 AM.