Multiple Narcotics Traffickers sentenced to prison in Lexington County
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Multiple Narcotics Traffickers have received lengthy prison sentences following recent convictions in Lexington County General Sessions Court
Following these convictions, Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated: “The dangers of illegal narcotics, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, continue to pose a grave risk to members of our community, especially young people who may not realize that a counterfeit pill contains a lethal dose of fentanyl. We are grateful to narcotics investigators for their efforts to rid Lexington County of these illegal substances.”
Jakob Regan Dator, age 21, pled guilty on July 23rd, 2024, to Trafficking Fentanyl, 4 grams to 14 grams. Circuit Court Judge Milton G. Kimpson sentenced Dator to twenty (20) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Dator has previous convictions for Robbery and Criminal Conspiracy. Under South Carolina Law, Trafficking Fentanyl is a violent crime and Dator is not eligible for parole.
Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Jordan Cox handled the prosecution of this case. The investigation was conducted by the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (“NET”).
In the early months of 2023, the NET team began investigating the sale of Fentanyl in connection with several drug overdoses, at least one of which was fatal. The investigation revealed that Dator was dealing Fentanyl in the form of pressed pills. The counterfeit pills had pharmaceutical markings of Oxycodone, however, contained fentanyl. Fentanyl is a highly lethal controlled substance in which consumption of a single pill can result in death.
NET agents were able to successfully conduct a controlled undercover purchase of the drug with Dator. On July 31st, 2023, NET agents observed the controlled purchase and conducted a traffic stop in Lexington County. Dator was found to be in possession of over five hundred multi-colored pills. Subsequent testing confirmed the pills to be Fentanyl.
Assistant Solicitor Cox stated, “This case represents the often tragic consequences of drug trafficking, particularly with dangerous narcotics such as Fentanyl. The 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the Lexington County NET team will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who choose to pour drugs into our community.”
Christina Lindemuth, a 52-year-old Gaston woman, was sentenced following a guilty plea on July 26, 2024 to Trafficking Methamphetamine. Lindemuth was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV to nineteen (19) years in prison.
Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Luke Pincelli prosecuted this case and the investigation was conducted by the Lexington County Sheriff Department.
On June 16, 2022 law enforcement was made aware of drugs and paraphernalia located in a West Columbia hotel room after check-out time. Christina Lindemuth was observed attempting to enter the room while carrying a safe. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the room and the safe. Investigators located more than 200 grams of methamphetamine inside the safe along with Lindemuth’s South Carolina ID and financial transaction cards.
Trafficking Methamphetamine is classified as a violent crime in South Carolina and Lindemuth will not be eligible for parole.
Bradford Scott Price, a 39-year-old West Columbia man, pled guilty to Trafficking Methamphetamine, more than 28 grams but less than 100 grams, and Trafficking Fentanyl, more than 4 grams but less than 14 grams. Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV presided over the plea and sentenced Price to nine (9) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Under South Carolina law, Price is not eligible for parole.
This case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Player Long and investigated by the West Columbia Police Department (WCPD).
During the fall of 2023, law enforcement conducted a narcotics investigation and performed several controlled buys from Price at a residence in West Columbia. On November 8, 2023, WCPD officers executed a search warrant on the residence where Price was determined to be engaged in narcotics transactions. As a result, officers discovered over 35 grams of methamphetamine and over 8 grams of fentanyl.
Price has numerous prior convictions for drug offenses and property crimes. Price was on probation at the time of his arrest.
Dator, Lindemuth, and Price have been transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of their sentences.