High-speed chases result in three drug arrests, seizure of $19,000 and various drugs

In a series of two high-speed vehicle chases and one traffic stop Wednesday Sumter County sheriff’s deputies arrested three men for drug trafficking and seized more than $19,000 in cocaine, crack and marijuana.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Braden Bunch said early Wednesday narcotics investigators received information leading them to believe three suspects, all traveling in separate vehicles, were in the process of transporting drugs throughout the county.

Bunch said when deputies attempted to stop the first suspected vehicle, driven by 28-year-old Ante Witherspoon, a high-speed chase ensued. Witherspoon led officers throughout the Sumter area before crashing his vehicle into a business in the 1 block of Broad Street in Downtown Sumter.

During the pursuit, Witherspoon threw a package from the vehicle, which officers later recovered. The package contained an estimated 125 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of $12,500.

Witherspoon sustained significant, but non-life-threatening, injuries in the crash. He was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment for his injuries. Witherspoon will be charged with trafficking cocaine - third offense and failure to stop for blue lights.

Bunch said officers then located a second suspected vehicle transporting drugs, which was driven by 23-year-old Tavares McFadden. When officers attempted to stop McFadden, he too led officers on a high-speed chase and crashed his vehicle into a residence in the Oak Lawn Mobile Home Park on Dorsey Drive in the Cherryvale area.

When officers search McFadden’s vehicle, they found approximately 454 grams of suspected marijuana with a street value of $4,450 and one gram of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of $100, Bunch said.

McFadden was treated by Sumter County EMS before being released into the custody of law enforcement. He will be charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana – second offense, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to stop for blue lights and driving under suspension – third offense.

In a third instance, 22-year-old Dartanya Harris complied with deputies’ blue lights when they located his vehicle near Christine Drive. Bunch said officers located and seized 10 grams of crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $2,000. Harris has been charged with trafficking crack cocaine.

Bunch said bond hearings for the men have been scheduled later Thursday.

Bunch said sheriff’s deputies also managed to seize $2,500 in cash. The investigation into the alleged illegal drug activity will continue, and more charges and arrests remain possible.

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 8:26 AM with the headline "High-speed chases result in three drug arrests, seizure of $19,000 and various drugs."