Four people were arrested by the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit this week including a known Bloods gang member, authorities said.
On Monday, agents with the DEU searched a home on the 400 block of Bridleford Drive in the Brandy Mill subdivision off Socastee Boulevard where 31-year-old Jotham Simmons was living, the DEU said.
An investigation into Simmons was launched in July 2012 when agents received a complaint about marijuana sales. A background check with the National Crime Information Center, showed Simmons is a documented gang member with the Bloods street gang. After four months of surveillance, the DEU was able to obtain a search warrant for the Brandy Mill home.
Simmons was arrested Monday and is charged with distribution of marijuana, two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and two counts of felon in possession of a firearm. He remains in custody at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on $80,000 bond.
At the house, agents seized more than 240 grams of high grade marijuana, $1,498 cash, a 20 guage shotgun, a .45 caliber hand gun, a .40 caliber handgun and a modified .22 caliber rifle.
A second search warrant was executed on another Brandy Mill home Thursday after the DEU received several complaints about a high volume of cars arriving there and leaving after staying only a few minutes. This home is in the 100 block of Split Oak Court.
At that home police arrested Toni Lynn Pellegrino, 49, of Myrtle Beach and two others – Brittney Alexis Gregson and Dennis Krasinski. Pellegrino is charged with the third or subsequent offense of manufacturing and possession of other controlled substances in schedule I, II or III with intent to distribute and remains in custody at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on $15,000 bond.
Gregson, 20, of Camron, N.C. is charged with two counts of possession of other controlled substance in schedule I to V (first offense) and unlawful to possess, dispose or distribute prescription drug without a prescription. She is being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on $3,000 bond.
Krasinski, 30, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested by the DEU because he was wanted by Horry County police on unrelated charges. He is charged with four counts of breaking into a motor vehicle, eight counts of financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud less than $500 in a six month period by the cardholder.
Several substances including oxycodone, xanax and other prescription medications not listed in the Controlled Substances Act were found inside.
The same home was previously searched in January. At that time, agents found about 17 doses of black tar heroin, two grams of marijuana, a clonazepam pill, morphine and adderal, and xanax along with multiple used and unused needles, empty baggies, implements used to ingest marijuana and methamphetamine as well as ingredients commonly used in the production of methamphetamine.
Contact AMANDA KELLEY at 626-0381.
