SC man faces life in prison and $10 million fine, prosecutor says. Here’s why

A Columbia man has become the third South Carolina resident to plead guilty for his role in a drug dealing conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Ramsey Adam Currie, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

An investigation showed that Currie was involved, along with others, in a multi-year meth conspiracy, which dated back to at least January 2019, according to the release. Through the investigation, at least 12 individuals gave statements regarding Currie’s involvement in the illegal distribution of meth as well as heroin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Additionally, in February 2023 officers with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office searched Currie’s house, where he tried to flush heroin down the toilet, according to the release. Officers recovered the heroin before it was flushed and seized five guns and ammunition from the house, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Currie faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a $10,000,000 fine, according to the release. Currie also could be ordered to serve at least 5 years of supervision should he be released from prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. There’s no parole in the federal system.

U.S. District Judge Joseph Dawson accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Currie after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office, according to the release.

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Two co-defendants were previously sentenced after pleading guilty for their role in the meth trafficking conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Clayton Daquon Hall, a 35-year-old from Hartsville, was sentenced to 168 months in prison, and 50-year-old Darlington resident William Chad Brown was sentenced to 107 months in prison, according to the release.

This case was investigated by the ATF, DEA, Darlington County Sheriff’s Office, Hartsville Police Department, Darlington Police Department, Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hummel is prosecuting the case. Attorney Ray Chandler was previously listed as Currie’s lawyer, records show.