Brunswick County Investigation Leads to Narcotics Charges for Three People
Brunswick County Investigation Leads to Narcotics Charges for Three PeopleAfter a two month investigation, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Vice-Narcotics Task Force arrested three people on narcotics charges.
Early on Saturday, August 17th, the narcotics team executed a search warrant, according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s office.
Whitney Dean McKeithan, 20 years old, and Erik Douglas Grissett, 28 years old, of Supply, NC, was arrested on narcotics charges including one count of trafficking opium or heroin (more than 28 grams of opiates), possession of heroin, possession of marijuana (up to half an ounce), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nicholas Benoy, 22 years old, was arrested on narcotics charges including one count of trafficking opium or heroin (more than 4 grams but less than 14 grams of opiates), possession of heroin, possession of marijuana (up to half an ounce), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
McKeithan and Grissett are being held in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $750,000 bond. Benoy is also held at the Brunswick County Detention Facility in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
Narcotics Charges of Possession and Trafficking in South Carolina
To convict you for possession with the intent to distribute or sell drugs, or other narcotics charges, in South Carolina, the prosecution must prove that you had possession of a specific quantity of drugs. You may also be charged with drug distribution if the drugs even appeared to be packaged for distribution.
Under South Carolina law, the following amounts are sufficient for serious narcotics charges including possession with the intent to distribute drugs:
- Marijuana: one or more ounces
- Crack Cocaine: one or more grams
- Heroin: two grains
- Cocaine: one or more grams
According to South Carolina law, more than two grains of heroin shows intent to distribute or sell, which can lead to much more serious narcotics charges.
Possessing any amount of narcotics is a felony, and could lead to a sentence of 15 years in prison and/or a fine of $25,000; a subsequent offense is another felony narcotics charge which can lead to 5-30 years in prison and $50,000 in fines. A third offense narcotics charge can lead to 15-30 years in prison, and $50,000 in fines. Sale within a few miles’ radius of school can lead to conviction on narcotics charges up to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Sale to minor is a very serious narcotics charge and could lead to a prison sentence of up to 20 years without parole or suspension and $30,000 in fines.
Narcotics charges of trafficking in illegal drugs are even more serious in South Carolina. The first charge, for 4-14 grains of heroin, can lead to 7-25 years without parole or suspension, and $50,000 in fines. The second offense leads to up to 25 years in prison, and $100,000 in fines, while the third offense, for trafficking 14-28 grains is a mandatory 25 year sentence without parole or suspension, and $200,000 fine. Over 28 grains of heroin is a mandatory 25-40 year sentence on extremely serious narcotics charges without parole or suspension, and $200,000.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Narcotics Charges, From Misdemeanor to Felony
The narcotics charges lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800
