Tony Ouzts, Daniel Alexander Plead Guilty in Meth, Gun Scheme

Two men from Georgia and South Carolina have admitted their roles in a massive methamphetamine trafficking ring that flooded the Upstate with over 6,500 grams of the drug. Tony Raymond Ouzts, 47, of Hull, Georgia, and Daniel Neil Alexander, 49, of Anderson, South Carolina, entered guilty pleas yesterday in federal court in Greenville, South Carolina, facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Ouzts pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841, and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under Title 18, United States Code, Section 924. Alexander admitted to conspiracy to distribute the same quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. Both men now await sentencing before United States District Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, who will review a presentence report before imposing penalties.

Court evidence revealed a months-long operation in which Ouzts regularly transported methamphetamine from Georgia to Alexander in Anderson. Their operation moved more than 14 pounds of the drug across state lines. At the time of his arrest, Ouzts was found in possession of a Smith & Wesson 9 mm and a Romarm/Cugir AK-47 pistol—weapons investigators say were used to protect the operation.

The arrests were part of ‘Operation Real-Time,’ a joint federal-state initiative targeting violent, repeat offenders who illegally possess firearms. Since August 2015, the program has led to the federal prosecution of around 90 defendants and the seizure of approximately 110 firearms from prohibited individuals. The operation unites agencies including the ATF, FBI, DEA, DHS, South Carolina Highway Patrol, U.S. Probation, and local law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Beth Drake praised the collaboration that brought the case to federal court. ‘We work best when we work together,’ Drake said. ‘This “real time” identification of high risk offenders is smart policing, and we welcome the opportunity to work alongside our state chiefs and sheriffs in taking violent repeat offenders out of our communities.’

The investigation was conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with support from the Anderson Police Department and the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office prosecuted the case. Both defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison and fines up to $10,000,000.