2 arrested on drug charges

Lexington County narcotics agents arrested 2 women Feb. 3 after following up on a community tip about drug activity at a Red Bank home.

Leslie Ann Saylor, 46, is charged with possession with intent to distribute meth, and possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to arrest warrants.

Katherine Loreen Leiby, 53, is charged with possession of meth, according to a warrant.

Reports say Saylor and Leiby were selling drugs out of a home in the 5400 block of Platt Springs Road.

Agents located meth, heroin and multiple digital scales in the home.

Both women were arrested at the home and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center. They have been released after meeting conditions of their bond.

Thieves attempt car part heist

Lexington County deputies arrested 2 men accused of trying to steal a catalytic converter from a car left on the side of Interstate 26. Joshua Keith Shanklin, 25, and Timothy Eugene Watford, 42, are charged with possession of stolen nonferrous metals, injury to real property to obtain nonferrous metals, criminal conspiracy, breaking into a motor vehicle and possession of implements used in a crime, according to arrest warrants. Watford is also charged with possession of marijuana and possession of meth, according to warrants.

Shanklin and Watford were arrested on the scene. They are being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Tips on other catalytic converter thefts or scrapyards illegally processing their trade for cash can can be shared anonymously at 888-274-6372.

Missing Gaston man’s body found

The body of a man missing from Gaston was found in Durham, NC, said the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

The family of Mark Anthony Carter, 50, filed a missing report January 31 with the sheriff’s department.

According to the family, he was last seen January 29 heading home from a family member’s house, officials said.

Carter’s vehicle was found in an apartment complex parking lot in Durham on January 31.

The Durham Police Department and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department are investigating.

Lawmakers consider open carry

State lawmakers may give some gun owners the right to openly carry their weapons.

South Carolina is among 5 states without such a law. House Bill 3094 has law enforcement and others concerned about how to enforce it if it becomes law.

Lexington County Rep. RJ May said, the bill “does little to restore South Carolinians’ 2nd Amendment rights.

“3094 would still force law-abiding citizens to petition the government and pay a fee before they can protect themselves and their families.

67 lawmakers reportedly support the bill.

It allows open carry wherever a gun owner is permitted to carry a concealed weapon.

Dr. Anne Andrews of Moms Demand Action told lawmakers that seeing people openly carrying weapons can traumatize the survivors of gun violence.

Ponzi scheme suspects arrested

Accused investment peddlers allegedly defrauded 320 wealthy SC investors of more than $28.6 million.

The $1.8 billion Ponzilike scheme hurt 17,000 US investors including those in SC.

The alleged scheme involved the sale of unregistered, high-commission interests in investments GPB managed.

The scheme targeted investors whose net worth qualified them for transactions exempt from SEC and state registration.

The suspects allegedly lured investors with promises of an 8% return “fully covered” by cash flow from their investments.

To file a complaint regarding a product or person selling them, please go to http://www.scag.gov/registering-a-complaint or call 803-734-3970.

Truck thief charged

Lexington County deputies arrested an Orangeburg man Friday in connection to a truck stolen from a West Columbia car dealership.

Andre Spencer McCartney, 20, is charged with grand larceny, according to detention center records.

“The owner of the car lot said someone stole the key to the truck a few days ago,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “He reports the stolen truck is worth almost $23,000. It was recovered with only minor damage.”

McCartney was arrested at the car lot. He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center while he awaits a bond hearing.

3 charged in vandalisms

West Columbia police made 2 arrests and are seeking a 3rd suspect in a rash of vandalisms, police said last week.

Between Jan. 16 and Jan. 29, approximately 30 businesses had their windows vandalized in West Columbia.

23-year-old Tyler Chase Ashton Loyd of Gaston, 25-year-old Titus William Bolen of Cayce, and 22-yearold Brandon Tyler Driggers of Gaston were arrested.

Loyd and Bolen have each been charged with 4 counts of criminal conspiracy and 27 counts of malicious injury to property. Loyd and Bolen are currently being held at Lexington County Detention Center.

Brandon Driggers has active warrants for his arrest. Any information on his whereabouts should be forwarded to the West Columbia Police Department at 803-794-0721 or submit a tip to CrimeStoppers at http://www.midlandscrimestoppers.com/ or use the P3 tips app.

$9 million opioid settlement

SC AG Alan Wilson announced a $573 million settlement with McKinsey & Company for its role in “turbocharging” the opioid epidemic with Purdue Pharma.

Wilson joined a coalition of attorneys general from 47 states, the District of Columbia and 5 US territories in a $573 million settlement with one of the world’s largest consulting firms, McKinsey & Company, resolving investigations into the company’s role in working for opioid companies, helping those companies promote their drugs, and profiting from the opioid epidemic.

The settlement, after payment of costs, will be used to abate problems caused by opioids in the participating states. SC will receive almost $9 million from the multi-state settlement, to be paid over 5 years with most of it coming in the first year.

CRIME NEVER STOPS

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