FLORENCE, SC – Thurmond Lowery, Jr., 36, of Cheraw, South Carolina, is headed to federal prison for over twelve years after pleading guilty to a slew of federal gun and drug charges. U.S. District Judge R. Bryan Harwell handed down the 150-month sentence yesterday, effectively slamming the door on Lowery’s operation.
The bust began back in April 2015, when a routine traffic stop by the Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) revealed more than just a suspended license. Officers discovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun in Lowery’s vehicle – a weapon he had no legal right to possess given a prior felony conviction. The incident initially landed him in local custody, but would soon unravel a far more serious criminal enterprise.
Months later, in August 2015, the Fifteenth Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) turned up the heat. Joint investigations focused on drug activity in the Myrtle Beach area, quickly zeroing in on Lowery as a source. Agents initiated a series of controlled buys, successfully purchasing heroin from Lowery on August 4th, 2015. The next day, they secured cocaine from the same dealer.
The evidence presented in court painted a clear picture of Lowery’s intent: not just personal use, but distribution. He wasn’t just holding; he was dealing, profiting from the misery of others and further fueling the opioid crisis plaguing the region. The combination of the illegal firearm and the hard drug trafficking sealed his fate.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher D. Taylor, of the Florence office, skillfully prosecuted the case, building a solid legal argument based on the evidence gathered by the DEU and FBI agents. The collaborative effort ensured that Lowery would face significant consequences for his actions. The investigation highlights the ongoing commitment of federal and local agencies to dismantling drug networks and taking dangerous individuals off the streets.
“This sentence sends a clear message,” stated United States Attorney Beth Drake. “Those who choose to engage in gun and drug crimes will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” For Lowery, that accountability comes in the form of a decade-plus behind bars, a harsh reminder that the risks far outweigh any potential reward in the dangerous world of drug trafficking. Contact Lance Crick at (864) 282-2100 for further information.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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