Columbia man sentenced to 10 years in prison
(Courtesy: SCDC)
(Courtesy: SCDC)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A Columbia man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges involving flying drones into two state prisons, said the SCDC.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) said Brian Francis Williams Jr., 32, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in February.
In December 2022, Williams flew a drone filled with meth, crack, LSD, marijuana and other contraband into the McCormick Correctional Institution, said investigators.
Williams was arrested and charged before he posted bond and was made to wear an ankle monitor.
While out on bond, he was arrested again in March 2023 after flying a drone that was carrying fentanyl, meth, five pounds of marijuana and other contraband into the Ridgeland Correctional Institution, officials said.
Williams pled guilty to two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine/cocaine 28‐100 grams and was sentenced to 10 years on each count, to run concurrently with each other.
Also he pled guilty to attempting to furnish prisoners with contraband which got him sentenced to 10 years suspended to three years probation, to run consecutively and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute which got him sentenced to five years to run concurrently with the other sentences.
“SCDC faces nightly attacks by drone, and our officers work very hard to arrest and prosecute these criminals,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said.
Brian Francis Williams Jr., 32, of Columbia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges involving flying drones into Ridgeland and McCormick CIs. Details: https://t.co/42QR6LJCZ7
— S.C. Department of Corrections (@SCDCNews) February 29, 2024
