Law enforcement officers charged 17 individuals in federal court for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that operated out of Lexington.

15 of those charged are from Lexington County.

The charges follow a mor than 2-year long investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement into a methamphetamine distribution ring in the county.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 35 kilograms o methamphetamine, 116 fire arms, and various quantities of heroin and fentanyl.

The following defendants have been charged in the criminal complaint for conduct related to their alleged roles in the drug trafficking organization:

• Matthew Ward, 36, of Lexington;

• Alecia Youngblood, 38, of Lexington;

• Cynthia Rooks, 52, of Lexington;

• Rebecca Martinez, 33, of Lexington;

• Richard Ford, 62, of Lexington;

• Amber Hoffman, 26, of Lexington;

• Samuel Judy, 29, of Lexington;

• Brian Bruce, 48, of West Columbia;

• Montana Barefoot, 25, of Lexington;

• John Johnson, 36, of Gaston;

• Benjamin Singleton, 46, of Gaston;

• Kayla Mattoni, 38, of Lexington;

• Clifford Kyzer, 35, of Lexington;

• Tiffanie Brooks, 36, of Columbia;

• Robert Figueroa, 43, of West Columbia

• Kelly Jordan, 34, of Williamston;

• Kelly Still, 43, of Windsor;

The case began in July 2017 as an investigation by ATF, the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, into methamphetamine trafficking and the illegal sale of firearms.

The investigation identified Youngblood, Ward, and others as key methamphetamine suppliers for major distributors in the Lexington area.