14 arrested in Sumter following lengthy drug investigation - The State

SUMTER, SC — A two-month joint operation between Sumter law enforcement authorities ended this week with the arrest of 14 suspects on various narcotics charges.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office and the Sumter Police Department announced Thursday night that they seized about 28 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of crack cocaine, 4 grams of marijuana and about $1,300 in cash during a two-day sweep that was the culmination of the operation.

Three suspects are being sought for narcotics charges, including Jonathon Jarreau Brown, 31, of 129 H. St. in Sumter; Akeen Armond Singleton, 22, of 820 S. Main St. in Sumter; and Jeffrey Rakeem Webb, 23, of 112 Woodlawn Ave. in Sumter.

According to reports, law enforcement focused its efforts in the northern area of the city and county "in areas that information and intelligence indicated illegal drug sales were occurring."

Those arrested and charged in the sting include:

? Paul Mingo Bradley, 29, of 108 Carver St., charged Wednesday with trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, second-degree harassment and three counts of contempt of Sumter Magistrate's Court;

? Brandon Antwan Cummings, 27, of 414 E. Charlotte Ave., charged Wednesday with four counts of distribution of crack cocaine, second offense; and three counts of distribution of crack cocaine within a half mile of a school;

? Earnist Grant William, 53, of 1009 Whitehorse St., charged Wednesday with four counts of distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within a half mile of a school;

? Charles Atkinson, 47, of 4270 Frisco Branch Road, charged Wednesday with three counts of distribution of controlled substances and operating a gaming house;

? Maurice Nathan Stevens, 32, of 26 White St., charged Thursday with distribution of marijuana, third offense;

? Tyrone Laws, 45, of 1107 Hurley Drive, charged Wednesday with distribution of crack cocaine, second offense;

? Rondale Devon Miller, 19, of 127 Carver St., charged Wednesday with two counts of distribution of crack cocaine;

? Travis Dwayne Brown, 23, of 13 Crescent Ave., charged Thursday with distribution of marijuana, second offense;

? Robert LeRoy Cowell, 49, of 50 Pinewood Gardens in Pinewood, charged Wednesday with distribution of controlled substances;

? Ishmali Davis, 19, of 2419 N. Main St., charged Thursday with three counts of distribution of marijuana and simple possession of marijuana;

? Marcus Davis, 25, of 2-A Marilyn Ave., charged Wednesday with two counts of distribution of marijuana;

? Shaquille Morique Leneau, 21, of 142 Shannon St., charged Wednesday with distribution of marijuana;

? Willie Antwann Gibson, 29, of 780 W. Liberty St., charged Wednesday with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of marijuana; and

? Cory Huie Montgomery, 28, of 555 Pioneer Drive, charged Wednesday with driving under suspension, third offense, being an uninsured motorist and contempt of court.

"The two-month operation wrapped up over the past two days as officers located and arrested the subjects who were identified selling and distributing illegal drugs to an undercover officer," according to the release. "Officers purchased various amounts of narcotics, often making multiple purchases from the suspects."

Reports indicate that "most of the suspects have prior criminal records (with) narcotics violations." Bradley and Miller have the most extensive general sessions records in Sumter County, with Bradley being sentenced Nov. 1, 2010, with five years after pleading to distribution of crack cocaine and Miller being sentenced Aug. 28, 2012, to a sentence not to exceed six years in the state Department of Corrections under the Youthful Offender Act.

As of Friday, all suspects except Bradley, Cummings and Montgomery had posted various cash or surety bonds to gain release from Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. Bradley was granted a $20,525 surety bond on Thursday, while Cummings and Montgomery received surety bonds of $35,000 and $2,840, respectively, on Thursday.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Webb, Singleton or Brown is asked to call the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office at (803) 436-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (888) CRIME-SC. Callers may remain anonymous.