Six Beaufort County men indicted on federal gun, drug trafficking charges

Six Beaufort County men face federal gun and drug trafficking charges following an investigation involving federal and local agencies.

Brandon Singleton, 32; Frank Clemons, 36; Tyrone Williams, 57; Naji Osborne 27; Mark Delaney, 28; and Torrion Cooper, 35, are in federal custody and have been indicted on conspiracy charges related to a drug and gun trafficking operation, a U.S. Attorney’s Office release said. The men are all from the Dale area, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

The indictments follow a joint investigation involving the Sheriff’s Office and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The men were part of a drug and gun trafficking ring operating in the Beaufort area, the release said. The investigation targeted the sale of guns and cocaine.

Singleton faces an additional charge of possession of firearms “in furtherance of drug trafficking.” Singleton and Williams were also charged with being felons in possession of firearms because of a previous conviction.

Assistant United States Attorney Emily Limehouse, out of Charleston, will prosecute the case.

Singleton faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and the other suspects a maximum sentence of up to 20 years related to the conspiracy charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

A conviction for the charge of a felon in possession of firearm comes with a maximum sentence of 10 years. Those charged with using or carrying firearms related to drug trafficking face five years to life in prison, the release said.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office asked for federal involvement in the spring, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Bob Bromage said. Investigators seized 13 guns and more than 500 grams of cocaine as part of their case.

This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Six Beaufort County men indicted on federal gun, drug trafficking charges."