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by ERIN PARROTT
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Eight defendants have been indicted in connection with an alleged fentanyl trafficking organization operating primarily in South Carolina’s Greenwood and Abbeville counties, according to a news release from the office of S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson.
The indictments are the latest developments in the “Pressed for Time” investigation – a multi-jurisdictional probe led by South Carolina’s statewide grand jury focused on an alleged drug trafficking network with ties stretching across Aiken, McCormick, Anderson, Greenville and Richland counties.
At the center of the investigation? Illegal pill presses allegedly used to manufacture blue pills containing fentanyl.
According to a news release from Wilson’s office, members of the organization allegedly manufactured the pills before distributing them through the drug trafficking network. Investigators say the organization also trafficked significant quantities of methamphetamine.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation have seized approximately 4,119.14 grams of fentanyl and 3,781.62 grams of methamphetamine, according to the Palmetto State’s top prosecutor.
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“Yet again, the state grand jury built a multi-jurisdictional partnership to fight fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking on the organizational scale,” Wilson said.
The attorney general’s office noted that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal – and that the synthetic opioid is frequently found in counterfeit pills made to resemble prescription medications such as Xanax or Oxycodone.
Eighth circuit solicitor David Stumbo – the GOP nominee for attorney general in the fall election – said law enforcement agencies in his circuit have spent years targeting fentanyl pill press operations.
“We have been working diligently for several years now in the eighth circuit to attack and eliminate the scourge of deadly fentanyl pill presses,” Stumbo said. “This is yet another example of seamless partnership of law enforcement agencies working across jurisdictional lines, utilizing the statewide grand jury, to remove dangerous narcotics from our streets in South Carolina.”
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THE DEFENDANTS…
- Daveon Antonio Butler, a.k.a. “Dae Dae,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 grams or more of fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic 400 grams or more of methamphetamine and multiple additional fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking and distribution offenses. He was also charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Omarion Lamar Williams, a.k.a. “O,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 grams or more of fentanyl, three counts of trafficking between four and fourteen grams of fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and trafficking 28 grams or more of fentanyl. He was also charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Khalil Hikeem Abney, a.k.a. “Frank,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 grams or more of fentanyl, three counts of distribution of fentanyl, trafficking 28 grams or more of fentanyl and resisting arrest.
- E’Zavius Malik Tydrea Fuller, a.k.a. “E’Z,” faces numerous charges, including conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine, multiple fentanyl trafficking offenses, trafficking 400 grams or more of methamphetamine and distribution of fentanyl. Fuller was also charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Darrell Shornrecon Phillips, a.k.a. “Murda Mook,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine, multiple fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking offenses, distribution of fentanyl, failure to stop for blue lights and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Jerell Donta Williams, a.k.a. “Nupac,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, failure to stop for blue lights, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Kentayvis Markeese Goode, a.k.a. “Scoot,” was charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as multiple trafficking offenses involving both drugs.
- Zeterius Rayshun Jones was charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 grams or more of fentanyl, trafficking 28 grams or more of fentanyl, trafficking 400 grams or more of methamphetamine and failure to stop for blue lights.
The investigation was conducted by the statewide grand jury with assistance from the attorney general’s State Grand Jury division, the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the S.C. Eighth Circuit solicitor’s office, the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Greenwood Police Department (GPD), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and Aiken County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
The cases will be prosecuted by assistant attorney general Savanna Goude and senior assistant deputy attorney general Creighton Waters, chief attorney grand jury division. As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
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