Nancy Phon, Meth Trafficking, South Carolina 2016

Fifteen Charged in Meth Trafficking, South Carolina 2016

Columbia, South Carolina – In a shocking case of corruption behind bars, fifteen individuals, including South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) inmates, have been charged federally for their roles in a wide-ranging meth trafficking conspiracy operating from inside prison walls.

According to the indictment, five inmates capitalized on their access to cell phones to continue their criminal activities and to direct the criminal activities of nine ‘facilitators’ outside of prison. Using contraband cellular telephones, the U.S. Mail, and employing a network of suppliers, distributers, and runners outside of prison, SCDC inmates brokered and managed the delivery and distribution of methamphetamine from California to the upstate of South Carolina and elsewhere in the state.

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute and did distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; used telephones and the U.S. Mail to facilitate a drug offense, and conspired to launder drug money by conducting money transfers, cash withdrawals, and purchases of and deposits onto pre-paid cash cards, all in violation of federal law. The indictment also alleges unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

The individuals charged are:

• Nancy Phon, 40, of Fresno, California
• Sok Bun a/k/a “Friday,” 27, an inmate at McCormick Correctional Institution
• Paul Ray Davis a/k/a “Pop”, 39, an inmate at Ridgeland Correctional Institution
• John Marlon Acosta, 24, an inmate at Perry Correctional Institution
• James Robert Peterson, 28, an inmate at Lee Correctional Institution
• Heather Nicole Rudicill, 29, of Cowpens, South Carolina
• Beab Keo, a/k/a “Ma”, 52, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina
• Terri Dianne Newman, 40, of Greer, South Carolina
• Sokha Kao Aun, 47, of Wellford, South Carolina
• Robert Earl Floyd, 55, of Piedmont, South Carolina
• David Elijah Allen, 30, an inmate at Walden Correctional Institution
• Jessica Lynn Gordon, 21, an inmate of Graham Correctional Institution
• Samuel Travis Wiggins, a/k/a “Flash”, 37, an inmate at Broad River Correctional Institution
• Melanie Renee Wiggins, 29, of West Columbia, South Carolina
• Jonathan Brent Martin, 51, of Chesnee, South Carolina

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance and cooperation of the United States Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, South Carolina Department of Corrections, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Spartanburg City Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Gaffney Police Department, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Marshals Service.

The Acting United States Attorney stated that all charges in this indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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