BLYTHEWOOD – A Blythewood man has pleaded not guilty to federal drug charges following a roundup of 14 suspects from South Carolina to California.
Cravelyn Squilla Davis, 25, of Blythewood, entered the plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Rock Hill. U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.
Davis was arrested in the Columbia area, and he remains in federal custody.
At least two other co-defendants have entered not guilty pleas as of press time.
The other 13 defendants have listed addresses in Rock Hill; Charlotte, N.C. and California.
U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon issued the following prepared statement regarding the arrests.
“Local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from several agencies across multiple states worked in lockstep today to not only secure arrests in this long term investigation but to also continue their daily collective mission to secure our communities,” the statement said.
The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and marijuana, and also conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the indictment.
If convicted, each defendant faces life in prison and a $20 million fine, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Offenses listed in the indictment occurred between Nov. 1, 2016 and the time of their arrests last week.
Three Rock Hill homes as well as 18 vehicles, including Porches, Chevy Tahoes and other expensive and luxury vehicles, are subject to forfeiture, according to federal court records.
Davis, specifically, is charged with possessing 500 grams or more of “a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine,” documents state.
Davis previously was previously charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol in April 2017.
In August 2017, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 days, according to Chester County court records.
