8 OUT OF 40 SUSPECTS SENTENCED IN HEROIN RING

COLUMBIA - Eight people have been sentenced to federal prison as part of a
heroin-distribution investigation that went to New York. Matt Smetana, 25;
Waymer Williams, 40; Janet Bunch, 29; Tiffany Degnan, 21, Issac Ellis, 59;
Bryan Biggart, 27; Shawn Smetana, 27; and Benji Leggett, 24; were all
sentenced in federal court Friday. Ron Martin, 29, of New York, was also
sentenced to three years in prison, prosecutor Mark Moore said. They were
among 40 people charged in the New York-to-Columbia ring, accused of
bringing in 5 to 10 kilos of heroin, Moore said. After their sentence, the
defendants must undergo drug treatment and urinalysis as part of their
probation. Alleged ringleaders Alberto King, Tony Harris and Wilbur Laws,
all of New York, are awaiting sentencing. Roosevelt Harrison, who ran the
Columbia distribution operation, also has not been sentenced, Moore said.
Police are looking for Jerrilyn Gray, of Columbia, who has been declared a
fugitive, Moore said. Willie Rogers, of Columbia, has been declared
incompetent to stand trial and is being re-evaluated at a North Carolina
prison. Ronnie Bowman's trial is scheduled for October.