PRESS RELEASE
June 14, 2018

FCSO NARCOTICS INVESTIGATORS ARREST 3 FROM UNDERCOVER OPERATION


SUBJECT: Herbert McDowell, III, age 24, of 843 North Green Road, Lake City, SC 29560 was arrested by Florence County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators on June 13, 2018 and charged with two counts of Manufacturing and Distribution of Cocaine Base (first offense)(S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0375(B)(1)), Trafficking in Methamphetamine (first offense)(S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0375(C)(1)(a)), Possession of Marijuana With Intent to Distribute (first offense) (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0370(b)(2)), Trafficking in Cocaine Base (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0375(C)(1)(a)), and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime (S.C. Code Ann. 16-23-490). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

SUBJECT: Damien Dakote McFadden, age 24, 854 Cow Pasture Road, Lake city, SC 29560 was arrested by Florence County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators on June 13, 2018 and charged with Possession of Controlled Substances (first offense) (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-370(d)(2)), Trafficking in Methamphetamine (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-375(C)(2)(a)), Manufacture and Distribution of Cocaine Base (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0375(B)(1)), and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime (S.C. Code Ann. 16-23-1490). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

SUBJECT: Marcus Sentrell Baker, age 25, of 1420 ½ North Matthews Road, Lake City, SC 29560 was arrested by Florence County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators on June 13, 2018 and charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-370(f)) and Manufacture and Distribution of Cocaine Base (S.C. Code Ann. 44-53-0375(B)(3)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

NARRATIVE: Following a month long undercover operation prompted by citizen complaints, Narcotics Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects on numerous narcotics charges in the Lake City area. Investigators, with the assistance of the FCSO SWAT team, simultaneously executed search and arrest warrants at 1402 and 1402 ½ North Matthews Road, and 204 Green Road, Lake City, SC where they arrested Damien Dakote McFadden, Herbert McDowell, III and Marcus Sentrell Baker and found a significant quantity of illegal narcotics. According to Investigators, these suspects are believed to be responsible for significant drug related activity in the Lake City area.



All three suspects are being held at the Florence County Detention Center. Bond for Baker was set at $60,000.00. Bond for McFadden and McDowell was denied.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.