18 people arrested after drugs, weapons and money found during "Operation Ice Storm"

SUMTER COUNTY, SC (WACH) – Eighteen people have been arrested in Sumter County during an operation that recovered drugs, money, forged checks and weapons, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

“Operation Ice Storm” began Thursday, June 14 through Sunday, June 17.

The Sheriff’s Office and nine other agencies found 81 lbs. of marijuana valued at $162,000; 12 weapons; 1,178 packs of Newport cigarettes valued at $17,670; $867 in cash; one stolen car. They also found forged checks for an amount of $63,945.30.

“We want to send a message loud and clear that we will not tolerate criminal activity of any kind in Sumter County,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. “And this includes those criminals who want to pass through Sumter County using our interstate highways.”

The following are 12 of the suspects arrested during the first “Operation Ice Storm” incident:

Gino Walter Curry, 30, 70 Nelson Street, Boston, MA: Charged with Possession of Cocaine.

Javier Rodriguez, 48, 202 Peaceful Ridge Road, Tarpon Springs, FL: Charged with Trafficking Marijuana.

Stanley Irvin Clark Jr., 30, 1209 Coley Drive, Fayetteville, NC: Charged with Receiving Stolen Goods.

Clayton Mitchell Allen, 18, 10 Arrowhead Circle, Ormond Beach, FL: Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.

Jorden Vrion Dejesus, 20, 1536 Harrier Drive, Orlando, FL: Charged with Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.

Desmond Montez McPherson, 30, 2005 Hampton Avenue, N. Charleston, SC: Charged with Possession of Stolen Property.

Alicia Ann Mundey, 27, 1647 Carter Corner Road, Florence, SC: Charged with Possession of Cocaine.

Jamar Abdul Thomas, 42, 406 Meddon Court, Goose Creek, SC: Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Charles Lee Pough, 34, 2489 Catalina Boulevard, North, SC: Charged with Open Container and Possession of Marijuana.

Marquis Quineris Williams, 22, 117 Ivey Street, North, SC: Charged with Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol and Weapons, Sale or Delivery of a Pistol.

Marques Javon Jackson, 25, 6930 North Road, North, SC: Charged with Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol and Weapons, Sale or Delivery of a Pistol.

Crystal Fantasia Washington, 35, 1065 Butler Drive, Neese, SC: Charged with Open Container Violation and Possession of Marijuana.

Sumter County deputies also worked with DEA Agents and Task Force officers to make arrests in a previous incident that was also part of “Operation Ice Storm.”

The departments used a search warrant on June 6 at a home on 295 Wildhog Dr. in Manning and found 125 grams of marijuana worth $1,250, 147.8 grams of heroin worth $29,560, 76.2 grams of meth worth $15,240 and $10,237 in cash and eight Pit Bull’s.

Thirty-six-year-old Cedric Smith of 295 Wildhog Dr. was arrested due to this incident and is being charged with animal cruelty. The DEA is also charging him on federal drug charges.

The operation made three additional arrests in another incident when deputies used a search warrant on June 14 where drugs and a grow lab were found at a home, which included about one pound of marijuana that was in a shed at the home and $1,921 in cash.

The following four people were arrested due to this incident:

Mariska Morgan Baker, 23, 2820 Hathaway Drive, Sumter: Charged with Manufacturing Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, two counts, first offense.

Corey Lake Butler, 29, 2820 Hathaway Drive, Sumter: Charged with Manufacturing Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, two counts, first offense. Butler was also wanted on warrants from Lexington County.

Jerry Allen McCoy Jr., 31, 2820 Hathaway Drive, Sumter: Charged with Manufacturing Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, two counts, first offense.

“Operation Ice Storm” made two more arrests in a final incident that happened Sat., June 23.

A deputy was patrolling the Morris Way Dr. area because of recent car break-ins when he saw a car parked in a driveway about five feet from the roadway.

The deputy approached the car and when he did, he said he could smell the odor of marijuana and saw a US Postal Service box. The passenger said that he lived at the home.

Another deputy then responded and a search of the car found about 346 lbs. of suspected marijuana in a vacuum-sealed package inside the box and a box of sandwich bags.

They also found $1,720 on one of the suspects in his pocket and the other suspect had $221. The suspects arrested are as follows:

Jay Kirkland McBride, 23, 27 Congress St., Mayesville, was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.

Sheldon Levern Benjamin, 21, 232 Lesesne Drive, Sumter, was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says every person is innocent until proven guilty in court.