Richland County drug investigation nets nine suspects, identifies four additional suspects

After a several month long joint investigation between several units with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, nine suspects were taken into custody for various drug, weapon and probation charges, officials said.

Sheriff Leon Lott said the investigation began after the department received an anonymous letter and phone calls from concerned citizens about the Hoyt Street area, a couple of blocks away from Shakespeare Road. Several of the homes in the 3700 block of Hoyt Street were allegedly operating as illegal drug distribution locations.

Members of the sheriff’s department’s Narcotics Unit, Special Response Team, Midlands Gang Task Force and the Community Action Team set up the investigation, which eventually netted nine suspects believed to be involved in the illegal drug activity, Lott said.

Those suspects include:

▪  Emmanuel Harley, 19, charged with possession of a scheduled II substance

▪  Isaiah Caldwell, 19, charged with possession of marijuana

▪  Johnny Ray Ingram, Jr., 21, charged with possession of marijuana

▪  Dominic L. Hunter, 31, charged with unlawful carry of a pistol and possession of a stolen pistol

▪  Thomas Mitchell, 55, charged with six counts of distribution of crack cocaine, unlawful conduct towards a child, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of marijuana

▪  Leon Richardson, 53, wanted by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services

▪  Earl Kelly, 36, charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana

▪  Darrell D. Grate, 31, charged with possession of marijuana

▪  Brian L. Hammond, 32, charged with distribution of marijuana and possession of a schedule II substance

Lott said the investigation also led to the identification of four other suspects now wanted by the sheriff’s department, including:

▪  Lamar Lemon Williams, 22, wanted for distribution of marijuana

▪  Antwon Renard Harley, 34, wanted for distribution of crack cocaine

▪  Anthony Irvin Murray, 27, wanted for receiving stolen goods and theft from a motor vehicle

▪  Charles Chambers, 31, wanted for five counts of distribution of crack cocaine

Lott said that a pistol, five rocks of crack cocaine cut for sale, multiple marijuana baggies ready for distribution, and $2,986 were seized from the homes during the investigation.

Harley, Caldwell, Ingram Jr., Hunter, Mitchell, Richardson, Kelly, Grate and Hammond have all been transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Lott said.

Anyone with information regarding additional illegal activity in the area or information regarding the whereabouts of the four additional suspects is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1 (888)-CRIME-SC.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 11:05 AM.