Personal Injury Attorney in Sumter, SC

Federal officials have indicted three people in a $30 million international money laundering scheme linked to drug operations in Sumter.

SUMTER, S.C. — Federal officials announced on Thursday that three people have been indicted in connection with a $30 million international money laundering scheme tied to international drug operations and based partly in Sumter.

Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Brook Andrews, said that a year-long investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uncovered a scheme in which more than $30 million in drug proceeds from traffickers across the Southeast were used to purchase electronics that were then shipped to China and the Middle East. Officials said this was done to hide the origins of the money.

"This is certainly one of the largest we've seen in South Carolina," Andrews said.

DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Tooley said the investigation began in September 2024 when the agency's Charleston office began investigating leadership elements of two major Mexican drug cartels, the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel, which uncovered a "large-scale and complex money laundering network."

He said the investigation led investigators to Sumter and the three defendants named in Thursday's briefing.

"These defendants indicted worked for a sophisticated money laundering organization that laundered at least $30 million in drug proceeds related to the illegal distribution of fentanyl and cocaine, which were unlawfully imported into the United States, typically through Mexico," Tooley added.

On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that 28-year-old Nasir Ullah, 32-year-old and Naim Ullah of Sumter, and 49-year-old Puquan Huang of Buford, Georgia, were federally indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors allege the three, along with co-conspirators, went across the country to collect money from the sale of drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl and then coordinated with people in China to hide the origin of the funds. The suspects are accused of using multiple Sumter business properties to store large amounts of money as they planned to ship goods overseas.

"This case demonstrates our ability to leverage every tool available to us and aggressively attack and dismantle dangerous drug trafficking and money laundering organizations operating in South Carolina, across the United States, and abroad," DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Tooley said. "We are using every authority and resource available to keep these dangerous networks, these criminals, and the poison they distribute off of our streets, out of our community, and out of our country."

The development will be located along Carter Road, just west of Broadwater Drive, and will occupy more than six acres of land.

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — A new 96-unit apartment complex is set to be built in Sumter, with the approval of the Sumter Planning Commission at a recent meeting.

The development will be located along Carter Road, just west of Broadwater Drive, and will occupy more than six acres of land situated between existing apartment complexes and homes.

The project will include four three-story buildings, featuring a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units—24 one-bedroom units, 60 two-bedroom units, and 12 three-bedroom units.

Sumter County Councilman Carl Washington said the new housing development is much needed as the region continues to grow, particularly with the ongoing expansion of Shaw Air Force Base.

“There is a lot of interest in new development now, not only in that project but others that are being discussed that will probably be in the pipeline. We’re excited about that,” Washington said.

Longtime resident Mable Levine, who lives across the street from the proposed site, said she welcomes the growth.

“I already see a lot more people coming to East Sumter, so we need to grow, so if this change, then I accept the changes,” Levine said.

Before approval, officials recommended a tree protection plan as part of the proposal. The plan includes the removal of two historic trees along with 31 others.

Trey Franklin, director of the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum at the University of South Carolina, emphasized the importance of responsible construction practices.

“I hope developers will take into account what needs to be taken out and not just clear-cut everything,” Franklin said. “But if that is a place that needs to be developed, then do it responsibly.”

Councilman Washington assured residents that efforts will be made to preserve as much of the land as possible before construction begins. He also mentioned that additional developments are in the works, with more details expected to be announced in the coming months.

The days of getting free rides are over for one South Carolina man.

James Mack, a 35-year-old Sumter resident, was recently arrested for calling 911 on multiple occasions to get ambulances to take him to an area hospital, which he would leave without seeking medical treatment, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday in a news release.

Over a two-week period, Mack called 911 several times for minor medical complaints, the sheriff’s office said. After being taken to Prisma Health Tuomey hospital by Sumter County EMS, Mack would routinely leave without being seen by medical staff or receiving any treatment, according to the release.

On Monday, deputies were dispatched to the hospital to investigate if anyone was using emergency medical services under false pretenses, according to the release. Deputies saw Mack leave the hospital shortly after arriving by ambulance, the sheriff’s office said.

When approached by law enforcement officers, Mack ran away and tried hiding, less than 200 feet away, at First Presbyterian Church, according to the release.

Mack was quickly located and detained by the deputies, the sheriff’s office said. After confirming Mack did not receive medical care during his visit, deputies arrested him for unlawful use of 911 by intentionally making false reports, according to the release.

Mack was booked into the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and his bond was set at $1,500, according to the release. The sheriff’s office said Mack remains in custody, and Sumter County court records show the bond has not been posted.

If convicted on the misdemeanor charge, Mack faces a maximum punishment of 6 months behind bars and a $200 fine, according to South Carolina law.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - As a development in Downtown Sumter continues, the first phase of a project called Sumter Power Village is currently underway.

“The goal is for the whole block to be technology-friendly, a tech village,” said Dr. Elayne Brunson, the developer of the Sumter Power Village.

The mixed-use development includes a business tech hub, where businesses in technology and art can work together in the same space.

Phase one will convert part of the property into a tech hub, featuring a vending cafe with Wi-Fi that can be rented out for private meetings and parties.

Dr. Brunson hopes to have phase one of the construction done by June.

“I feel this project is going to bring jobs to the community,” Dr. Brunson said, “It’s just going to be a cool place where the small business owner can collaborate potentially with other business owners.”

Other Sumter business owners said Sumter Power Village is another great addition to the development going on in Downtown Sumter.

They say business owners in the community are not just each other’s customers, but they’re also a tight-knit group.

“It’s remarkable; every time we get a new retailer that moves downtown, it just creates more energy,” said Stephanie Dowling, Owner of One Accord Women’s Apparel & Fine Art, “It’s exciting to be down here, and it’s exciting to be a tiny part of that.”

They feel that other businesses coming downtown will expand their family even more.

“It thrills me,” said Roy Flynn, Owner of Sumter Cut Rate Drug Store, LLC, “I live down here, my home is somewhere else, but South Sumter is where I live.”

Brunson says the whole Sumter Power Village project will cost roughly $10 million. She hopes to have the second phase of construction complete by Summer 2026.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Sumter County deputies arrested four men in connection with a drive-by shooting Wednesday afternoon.

According to deputies, Sumter County Dispatch received a report around 3:56 p.m. of shots fired into a home. Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) proceeded to respond to the home on Wrangler Trail.

While investigating, a responding deputy said they observed a vehicle matching the witnesses’ descriptions and performed a traffic stop. While the occupants of the vehicle were questioned, the vehicle was searched which led deputies to find two rifles and a handgun.

Further searching revealed another handgun, which was determined to have been stolen out of Sumter County and modified from semi-automatic to fully automatic.

According to SCSO, the subjects were detained for questioning, then placed under arrest and charged each with Assault and Battery (1st), Discharging Firearms into a Dwelling, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Stolen Machine Gun, and Transportation of a Stolen Machine Gun. Deputies confirmed the suspects also were not old enough to purchase the guns.

Deric Farmer, 20, Justin McFadden, 19, Zyierre Small, 20, and Tyisiome Tisdale, 16, were transported to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and are awaiting a bond hearing.

“These offenders, though not juveniles by law... are young offenders less than 21 years of age, out here committing adult crimes,” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

“They are a menace to society. These people are a threat to not only the general public but also to those in law enforcement who seek to protect our citizens. This will not be tolerated in Sumter County. They will be treated as adults and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Deputies said this incident remains under investigation.

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