Two Rock Hill Men Among Indicted in Major Drug Trafficking Operation

JudgePhoto byPhoto by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina announced that two men from Rock Hill are among the 13 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury in Columbia, South Carolina. Timothy Gayton, 32, and Clifton Mickles, 43, were arraigned in federal court alongside eight others, facing serious charges related to drug trafficking.

The 21-count indictment , returned on July 31, 2024, outlines a comprehensive conspiracy to possess and distribute substantial quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. The alleged operation, which has been active since January 2016, involves individuals from various cities across South Carolina, including Columbia and Summerton.

Defendants Arraigned:

• Quincey Jackson, 40, of Columbia
• Timothy Gayton, 32, of Rock Hill
• Elijah Rhodes, 42, of Columbia
• Desane Washington, 19, of Summerton
• Shane Bennett, 32, of Summerton
• Byron Canty, 35, of Rowesville
• James Croslen, Jr., 48, of Summerton
• Kenneth Robinson, 46, of Columbia
• Clifton Mickles, 43, of Rock Hill
• Richard Ragin, 46, of Columbia

Three additional defendants remain at large.

This investigation is a part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF employs a multi-agency approach, leveraging the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to target and eliminate these criminal networks.

The agencies involved in this extensive investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI Columbia Field Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, City of Columbia Police Department, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Major is prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs emphasized the importance of due process, stating, “All charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and maintain the safety and security of communities across South Carolina. The successful collaboration of multiple agencies highlights the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in tackling organized crime.

For further details on the OCDETF program and its initiatives, visit justice.gov/OCDETF.