Abbeville, S.C.; May 24, 2016 – Eighth Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Tuesday that three men charged with trafficking meth in Abbeville County were given long term prison sentences after entering guilty pleas this week.James M. Millholland, Brandon Dewitt Chrisley and Johnny Ray Stroud all pleaded guilty to trafficking meth in addition to other charges during the most recent term of court.
Millholland, 33, pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking methamphetamines, possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Circuit Judge Eugene Griffith sentenced him to nine years in prison.
Chrisley, 30, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession with intent to distribute ice, crank or crack and possession of a controlled substance. Judge Griffith sentenced Chrisley to seven years in prison on the first possession with intent to distribute charge and 15 years in prison, suspended to five years of probation, on the remaining two charges. The sentences will run consecutively, so Chrisley will be subject to the 15-year prison sentence should he violate his probation once released from prison.
Stroud, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking methamphetamines. Circuit Judge Robert Sprouse sentenced Stroud to 25 years in prison, suspended to 12 years in prison followed by five years of probation upon release from prison.
All three men were caught in possession of at least 40 grams of methamphetamines or “ice.” Stroud was caught with about 1.65 pounds of the illegal narcotic as well as 39 firearms, which he surrendered to the Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office as part of his plea.
Abbeville County Sheriff Ray Watson said he was pleased to see three less drug dealers on the streets of Abbeville County.
“I know sometimes it seems like the war on drugs is a war we cannot win,” Watson said. “We will continue to seek out the individuals who are corrupting our children and loved ones and attempt to remove them from society by sending them to prison with the goal of rehabilitating them and turning them into productive members of society.”
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of the Abbeville Narcotics Task Force as well as the prosecutors for sending the three drug dealers to prison.
“As Sheriff Watson indicated, the war on drugs can often times feel like a futile one,” Stumbo said. “We will continue to be vigilant and relentless on those individuals who would rather ruin lives for a quick buck instead of contribute gainfully to our community. Days like today remind us that we can win and we can take back our streets.”