LANCASTER NEWCOMERS PLEAD GUILTY TO PARTICIPATING IN DRUG OPERATION

COLUMBIA -- A group of men who had been living in Lancaster County have
pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and drug charges. They could
face life in prison.

Several of the men told the court they were recruited from New York to come
to South Carolina to be part of a drug operation, according to the U.S.
attorney's office.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mack Lester Clyburn Jr., Robert Anthony Stevens,
Pomp Blackmon, Teddy Jerome Sanders, Victor Hugo Gillis and Anthony Mosely
pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of crack
cocaine. Mosely also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

They will be sentenced after a District Court judge reviews presentence
reports being prepared by the U.S. probation office. Each could be sentenced
to life in prison and fined as much as $4 million.

Mosely said he was hired to protect drug dealers. Clyburn told the court he
rented a house from which they could sell drugs. Gillis said he was
recruited from New York to work in South Carolina for a Jamaican drug
organization.

Eighteen people were involved in the drug conspiracy ring, which was
investigated by the Rock Hill Violent Crime Task Force, according to the
U.S. attorney's office.

Three defendants previously pleaded guilty; two are still wanted by police,
and the remainder will go to trial April 13.