6 arrested in Lexington on drug charges

Lexington County narcotics agents arrested 6 people on drug charges.

Deputies responded to the 100 block of Browning Court July 12 after receiving tips about a woman wanted for a parole violation and a man wanted on a family court bench warrant selling drugs out of the house.

“Investigators found the accused parole violator, 36-year-old Genie Buckner, at the Browning Court house.” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “She is charged with the parole violation.”

3 more people were arrested at the house, according to Koon.

Sarah Ann Buckner, 41, is charged with possession with intent to distribute meth, according to arrest warrants.

Mandy Lachell Cooper, 41, is charged with possession of meth.

Zack Lloyd Evans, 41, is charged with trafficking meth and possessing a weapon during a violent crime.

“While narcotics agents were executing a search warrant at the Browning Court home, deputies encountered the man originally wanted on a bench warrant, 42-year-old Brandon Scott Spires, after a traffic stop near the house,” Koon said. “He was found to be in possession of more than 550 grams of meth.”

Lea Marie McCormick, 45, was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of meth, according to an arrest warrant.

Spires and Genie Buckner are being held in the Lexington County Detention Center. Sarah Buckner, Cooper, Evans and McCormick have been released after posting bail.

Woman, teen charged in Gilbert shooting (mug)

Lexington County deputies have charged a Lexington woman and a minor in connection with a July 17 shooting in Gilbert.

Brandi Ann Strawderman, 20, is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants. The minor is charged with attempted murder and unlawful possession of a handgun.

“Based on the information detectives gathered at the scene, Strawderman and her minor co-defendant conspired last night to take property from the shooting victim at his home in the 100 block of Summers Road,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

“Once the victim realized his property was taken, he tried to chase Strawderman and her co-defendant to recover his belongings.”

The victim was shot in the back during an encounter with Strawderman and the minor, according to Koon. He was treated and released from a hospital July 18.

Strawderman is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Freight employees steal $23,000 in merchandise

3 men were jailed after police uncovered the theft of more than $23,000 worth of stolen merchandise by freight company employees.

Home Depot authorities told investigators that merchandise was being transported from their distribution center in West Columbia by Estes Express Line to various retail stores. However, vendors had noticed that items listed as being billed for transport were not showing up.

According to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott:

• Cody Bessinger, 28, is charged with 2 counts of grand larceny over $10,000 and conspiracy.

• Joseph Braxton Gunter, 36, is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent over $10,000 and conspiracy.

• Christopher Lee Shumpert, 39, is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent over $10,000 and conspiracy.