South Carolina Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution
A federal judge has sentenced Ignacio Sandoval-Acosta, 47, a Mexican citizen and current inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, to 188 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution ring.
The evidence presented to the court showed that Sandoval-Acosta, along with Scott Terrill Hipp, 27, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, and others, were involved in a drug trafficking organization that imported large quantities of crystal methamphetamine, as well as other drugs, from Mexico for distribution in South Carolina and elsewhere.
Sandoval-Acosta coordinated the shipments of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana through the use of a contraband cell phone while incarcerated in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
During the investigation, agents seized one package containing 886 grams of crystal methamphetamine that had been shipped to Hipp from Arizona, and another package containing 853 grams of crystal methamphetamine that Sandoval-Acosta had arranged to have shipped.
Senior United States District Judge Margaret Seymour sentenced Sandoval-Acosta to 188 months in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision. Sandoval-Acosta’s sentence will not begin until he finishes serving his state sentence in 2024. There is no parole in the federal system.
Hipp, who was also sentenced in connection with the case, received a sentence of 120 months in federal prison, also to be followed by 5 years of court-ordered supervision.
The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Charleston Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
Sandoval-Acosta’s exact charges include conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine.
Both Sandoval-Acosta and Hipp will begin serving their sentences once they have completed their state sentences.
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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