Richland County, SC (WLTX) - State and local officials say they've busted up a massive drug and crime operation in the Midlands known as "The Paid Family," responsible for a series of crimes including bringing drugs through the Columbia airport.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, led by Attorney General Alan Wilson, laid out their findings at a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Columbia.
“The allegations in these indictments describe an armed gang that carried out a long-running conspiracy which brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Thanks to the great work of the State Grand Jury and state and local law enforcement, we’ve shut it down.”
The incidents involve a total of 15 suspects who primarily were responsible for buying and selling drugs, but a few of the suspects were involved in high-profile murder cases as well.
According to prosecutors, the defendants trafficked 100 pounds of marijuana through Lexington County, including through by way of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Prosecutors say they were able to get the drugs from Cedrick Montrell Ward, who was an active duty military member at Ft. Lewis in Washington State.
The indictment says two suspects--Barry Donnell Reed Jr. and his mother, Sharon Lavonne Telford--laundered the drug sales through their business known as "Family Trucking LLC."
"Barry Reed fashions himself to be a kingpin, and he did not stop just with drug dealing, he was involved with murder," said Sheriff Leon Lott. "He's charged in Richland County with murder and will be prosecuted with that too along with these drug charges."
The grand jury began investigating the group after the March 2017 killing at Club Reveal on Two Notch Road. At the time, Sheriff Leon Lott called it a 'gangland-style' killing.
Related coverage: Deputies arrest five men in 'Gangland-style' killing in Columbia
Reed Jr., Anthony Alvino Brevard, Calvin William Rockmore, and Corey Kimani Sanders were all charged in connection with that case. But as the grand jury continued their work, the suspects were brought up on drug charges related to the larger criminal investigation.
Officer say another Paid Family member, Roscoe Holmes III, is responsible for the August 2016 killing of a cab driver in the county.
The following suspects were also arrested related to the drug trafficking operation:
Van Buren Fore, IV; Jason Tramaine Spann; Calvin William Rockmore; Roscoe Holmes, III; Derek Joseph Benders; Cedric Montrell Ward; Xavier Daryl Coad; Jessica Victoria Walker; Labrenzo Antwan Rish; Derrick Devontay Randolph; and Marquis Jauan Watkins, Jr.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.