Lexington County residents arrested in Upstate meth, heroin busts, SC deputies say

Several Columbia-area residents were arrested after multiple drug-trafficking stings in Union County, according to a statement from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Eight residents of Lexington County were arrested, and seven were charged with various drug-related crimes, according to the statement.

On July 31, deputies were checking a tip about a white Chrysler with the words “love bug” on the tailgate, according to the statement. They believed passengers in the vehicle were coming to the area to deliver drugs.

Deputies pulled over the car and asked to search the three women inside, according to the statement.

Melissa Lynn Blodgette, 38, of Pelion, was found carrying a Belbuca, which is an opioid, according to the statement. A female deputy also found a bag of what they believed was more than 10 grams of methamphetamine in the bra of Christina Elizabeth Lindemuth, 46, of West Columbia.

Blodgette was charged with conspiracy to sell drugs. Lindemuth was charged with trafficking methamphetamine.

The next day, deputies received another tip about a woman bringing heroin and meth to a motel, according to the statement. At about 2 a.m., they saw a Dodge car pull into a parking lot, and four women got out and begin fiddling in the trunk.

A K-9 dog at the scene indicated there were drugs in the car, and the women were arrested, according to the statement.

Brittany LeAnn Mcrae, 32, of Gaston, was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule 4 drugs, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of meth.

Chloe Marie Lempesis, 20, of Chapin; Ashley Nicole Jeffcoat, 30, of Lexington; and Felicia Desire Hamilton, 20, of Chapin, were charged with possession of meth and possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Later, officers received information about two more people who intended to bring drugs into the county, according to the statement. Officers pulled over the suspect vehicle and arrested Charles Lester Knox, 35, of Swansea, and Otis Jefferson Smith, 37, of Lexington.

Knox was charged with driving under suspension and possession of a stolen vehicle, and Smith was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This story was originally published August 3, 2018 at 7:53 AM.