Midlands gang leader sentenced to 30 years in prison for drug conspiracy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The leader of a local street gang was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, said the United States Department of Justice United States Attorney’s Office District of South Carolina.

Carlos Antonio Grooms a.k.a. “B Lord” and three others were sentenced following a federal drug conspiracy conviction stated a press release from the Department of Justice.

The press release said Grooms led a trafficking organization between 2020 and 2022 that was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Lexington and Columbia areas.

Officials say Grooms sold drugs on video to agents with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) multiple times and used drug users as couriers to help sell the drugs.

Evidence at sentencing suggested that he used close to 9 others to sell drugs and that Grooms used several stash houses to operate.

Agents say a kilogram press, scales, night vision goggles, more than $10,000 in U.S. currency, a heat sealer, and multiple cell phones were found at Grooms’ house when he was arrested.

The Department of Justice press release states that at his sentencing, the court found out Grooms continued to coordinate drug distributions while in federal custody over recorded jail phones and e-mail accounts and that Grooms was the leader of a local criminal street gang.

Also, the court found out Grooms threatened and messed with numerous witnesses by telling them to lie to agents or not speak with the police which resulted in his sentencing being enhanced for obstruction and witness tampering.

United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced Grooms to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision.

Christine Elizabeth Horan of Pelion, S.C. was sentenced to 57 months to be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.

Lucas Channing Austin of Gaston, S.C. was sentenced to 21 months to be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision.

Emerald Kate Hearon of Gaston, S.C. was sentenced to time served (about 10 months) to be followed by two years of court-ordered supervision.

All three were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, and all three are accused of distributing narcotics for Grooms.