Man pleads guilty, 3 more convicted in methamphetamine trafficking case

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A man has pleaded guilty and three others have been sentenced in connection with an upstate methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

Jeffrey Michael Wilson, 54, of Commerce, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Officials announced Wednesday, Oct. 23, that the following defendants have been sentenced for their roles in an upstate drug bust:

Richard Brian Walker, 49, of Chesney was sentenced to 270 months of imprisonment. In addition, Walker pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled shotgun and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesides, 54, of Mooresboro, North Carolinawas sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment. Whitesides also pleaded guilty to money laundering
Amanda Gail Tuck, 45, of Chesney, was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment

On January 18, 2023, deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Whitesides on I-85 and searched her vehicle, finding nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine.

An investigation into her bank accounts showed she helped others hide payments for drug proceeds, officials said.

On February 22, 2023, deputies conducted surveillance of Walker’s home and observed Wilson’s car coming and going. Officers stopped Wilson and found more than 5,800 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded semi-automatic handgun with 19 rounds of ammunition.

Throughout the conspiracy, Wilson was responsible for trafficking 50 kilograms of methamphetamine with Walker. Wilson was convicted in a previous federal methamphetamine conspiracy case in 2000, officials said.

A search warrant was also executed at Walker’s residence and warehouse. Investigators found more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, 85 grams of fentanyl and three firearms.

Tuck was also located on the property. On March 24, 2023, officers with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office pulled Tuck over and found nearly a kilogram of her methamphetamine in a U-Haul truck.

U.S. District Judge Donald S. Coggins sentenced the defendants and accepted Wilson’s guilty plea. For each sentence, the court set a term of supervised release.

Wilson will be sentenced at a later date, officials said. The maximum penalty for the offense is life imprisonment.

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