SCDC inmate sentenced to prison for trafficking 350 kilograms of meth with contraband phones

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– An inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) was sentenced to more than 26 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, said the DOJ.

The Department of Justice says 38-year-old Benjamin Johnathan Newman has been incarcerated in the state prison system since 2012 to serve a 25-year sentence for drug trafficking.

During his prison sentence SCDC has seized 16 illegal contraband cellphones from Newman, according to evidence presented in court.

Investigators say Newman used the contraband phones to lead a large-scale drug distribution operation since at least January 2018.

He is accused of using the phones to order large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, including directly from sources in Mexico.

Also, he is accused of recruiting drivers to pick up the drugs in Georgia, Texas, and Florida and to deliver the drugs to stash houses in the Lexington County area, where the conspiracy would then supply drug dealers in South Carolina.

The conspiracy used threats of violence to protect against cooperation with law enforcement and to protect its drug supply, said the DOJ.

More than 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 the conspiracy, according to officials.

Newman and each of his seven co-defendants have been convicted in federal court.

Four have been sentenced by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon:

• 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.

“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. “His conviction highlights the urgent need for state prisons to be able to jam illegal contraband cell phones,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said.