A Lexington man already serving time in a South Carolina prison was sentenced to federal time for his involvement in a large drug distribution operation orchestrated from inside the prison.
Benjamin Johnathan Newman, 38, an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, was sentenced to over 26 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, according to the United States Department of Justice.
The department announced on Tuesday, Aug. 13 that Newman, who has been detained in state prison since 2012 after being sentenced to 25 years for drug trafficking charges, used contraband phones to lead a large-scale drug distribution operation since January 2018. SCDC seized 16 illegal contraband cellphones from Newman during his stint in SCDC, according to evidence presented in court.
Newman used the phones to order the importation of large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana directly from sources in Mexico. Newman recruited drivers to pick up the imports in Georgia, Texas and Florida, and deliver them to stash houses in the Lexington County area, DOJ said. The group would then supply drug dealers throughout South Carolina and use threats of violence to protect against cooperation with law enforcement as well as protect its drug supply, according to DOJ.
Over 350 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of heroin, nearly one kilogram of cocaine, 18 kilograms of marijuana and 250 grams of crack cocaine were distributed in South Carolina by Newman and his co-defendants, according to DOJ.
Newman and seven of his co-defendants were convicted in federal court. Four were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon and three, including Newman, are from Lexington:
Benjamin Johnathan Newman, 38, of Lexington, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision.
Chelsea Grace Wynn, 32, of Lexington, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervision.
Nehemiah Jimmy Mayes, III, 29, of Lexington, was sentenced to 170 months to be followed by five years of supervision.
Josiah Daniel Dailey, 38, of Aynor, was sentenced to 63 months to be followed by five years of supervision.
There is no parole in the federal system.
“Some of our highest volume drug traffickers are working from a prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Adair Ford Boroughs. “We thank Director Stirling and the investigators at the South Carolina Department of Corrections for their work to put an end to their continued criminal conduct.”
“This man is a very large-scale drug dealer in South Carolina, and he was able to continue his crimes from behind bars using illegal cellphones,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “His conviction highlights the urgent need for state prisons to be able to jam illegal contraband cell phones. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney and everyone involved for helping us bring this criminal to justice.”