Rock Hill Drug Kingpin Sentenced for Fentanyl Ring

Patricia Ann Hemphill, 51, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, faced a grim fate as she was sentenced to three years in federal prison for her role in a fentanyl distribution ring. The ring, which spanned multiple states and involved a complex operation out of Rock Hill and Charlotte, North Carolina, was uncovered after an extensive investigation by the FBI and York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit.

Evidence presented in court revealed that Hemphill’s group obtained large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana from a Southern California distributor. The drugs were then shipped back to Rock Hill and Charlotte for distribution. Over a year, the group sent over 255 packages containing these substances, totaling more than five kilograms of cocaine, 280 grams of crack cocaine, 500 grams of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, and over 1000 grams of marijuana.

The ring took it a step further by using the fentanyl to create over a million counterfeit Roxicodone pills. These pills were sold in Rock Hill, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Hemphill’s own son was caught using her home to distribute some of these drugs, adding an eerie layer to this case.

In total, 19 defendants faced charges. Sixteen, including Hemphill and her son Darryl Hemphill, pleaded guilty. Three others were convicted at trial in August 2022. Hemphill was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis to 36 months imprisonment, followed by a four-year term of court-ordered supervision.

The sentencing comes under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which aims to dismantle criminal networks that threaten the United States. This case was a testament to the collaborative effort between multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, DEA, IRS, Rock Hill Police Department, York County Sheriff’s Office, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon led the prosecution of this case. For more information about the OCDETF Program, visit here.

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