David Matthews Jr., 52, was convicted on multiple counts of trafficking narcotics and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley sentenced Matthews to 25 years on March 11, 2025, following a jury trial.

According to the press release, a search of Matthews’ home in a mobile home park in West Columbia led to the seizure of trafficking amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and cocaine. This search and investigation was conducted by investigators with the NET team on Jan. 29, 2024. Investigators also found numerous firearms and over $20,000 in the home.

Matthews was convicted of trafficking fentanyl, 28 grams or more. This is the highest-level fentanyl offense under South Carolina law. At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors provided data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that shows the amount of fentanyl was potentially enough for 41,000 fatal overdoses.

This case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitors Caroline Strom, Luke Pincelli and Jordan Cox.

Matthews is not eligible for parole and will serve his sentence at the S.C. Department of Corrections.

In 2022, the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services reported that 1,660 South Carolinians died from a drug overdose that involved fentanyl.