4 convicted SC drug traffickers among 111 awarded early release

Of the 111 federal inmates whose prison sentences were shortened Tuesday by President Obama, 4 were from South Carolina.

All were convicted on non-violent drug offenses, the White House said in a news release.

Travis Dwaine Corley, 39, of Blacksville, was sent to jail for 20 years in July, 2003 for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and a quantity of cocaine.

Tommy Rice, 57, of Spartanburg was sentenced to life imprisonment for “aiding and abetting the commission of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.” He was an employee of Big Tee's Wheel and Rims on West Main Street where “the drug transaction took place.”, the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported at the time. Rice has been in prison since January 6, 2004.

Joseph J. Campbell, 36, of Summerville was given a life sentence in February 2006 for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine and using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking activity.

Christopher White of Anderson has been in prison the longest. He was convicted in July 1999 of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics. He originally was sentenced to 360 months in prison.

"We must remember that these are individuals — sons, daughters, parents, and in many cases, grandparents — who have taken steps toward rehabilitation and who have earned their second chance," White House Counsel Neil Eggleston said. "They are individuals who received unduly harsh sentences under outdated laws for committing largely nonviolent drug crimes."

The release dates for the South Carolina inmates is December 28, 2016.