Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office arrests wanted fugitive, four others for weed possession

Officers with the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, along with agents of the 15th Circuit Drug Enforcement Unit, arrested a wanted fugitive Tuesday afternoon.

Franklin L. McCants, Jr., 28, was wanted for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and resisting arrest, according to Carrie Cuthbertson, public information officer with GCSO. McCants was wanted for 10 outstanding warrants.

Officers responded to 261 Kent Rd. in Georgetown where McCants was hiding between a bed and a wall in a recreational trailer, Cuthbertson said. Four other people were arrested inside the RV, and two of them were in the bed McCants was found hiding near, Cuthebertson said.

Officers also found a “significant quantity” of marijuana and a digital scale in the RV.

McCants has been wanted since Thursday when officers attempted to arrest him on several warrants, but McCants fled in a vehicle and on foot and escaped, Cuthbertson said. While chasing McCants two officers were involved in a vehicle crash where one agent was injured, Cuthbertson said.

Officers searched McCant’s hotel room and found a considerable amount of marijuana and cash arresting, Cuthbertson said. McCants’ girlfriend, Jana Cardinale, was arrested.

McCants’ arrest Tuesday resulted in additional warrants for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and resisting arrest, Cuthbertson said.

McCants and Cardinale were arrested on Nov. 6 when officers executed a search warrant at 182 Swallow Ave. in Georgetown and recovered a large amount of cocaine and marijuana, along with three handguns – one of which was stolen – as well as property stolen from All4PAWS and Badcock and Company, Cuthbertson said.

The four other people arrested are charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and resisting arrest. They are:

• Milton Ronnie Byrd, 18, of Georgetown
• Candace Faith Jordan, 19, of Georgetown
• Joshua Rodney Pevey, 21, of Georgetown
• Alyssa Marie Thompson, 18, of Andrews

The DEU is comprised of numerous agencies with the 15th Judicial Circuit, including Myrtle Beach police, Horry County police, the 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 8:14 PM with the headline "Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office arrests wanted fugitive, four others for weed possession."