JURY RETURNS GUILTY VERDICT IN GORE CASE

FLORENCE - A jury on Wednesday found former Atlantic Beach Town Council
member Vander More Gore guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and
marijuana. His co-defendants in U.S. District Court, nephew Johnny Lee
Gore, 46, of New Jersey and Anthony Pridgen, 27, of Atlantic Beach also
were found guilty of conspiracy to distribute drugs.

The jury deliberated about seven hours after a five-day trial. All three
defendants face prison time of 10 years to life.

A sentencing hearing will be at a later date.

The defendants immediately were taken to the Florence County Detention
Center after the verdict was read.

Family members declined to comment.

Vander Gore, 67, was a sitting councilman when he was arrested and indicted
in June 2001.

He was suspended by Gov. Jim Hodges and replaced by Councilwoman Charlene
Taylor in the November general election.

Mayor Irene Armstrong declined to comment on the case Wednesday.

The case by the U.S. Attorney's Office stemmed from a 10-year investigation
into drug activity in Atlantic Beach.

The Drug Enforcement Administration interviewed hundreds of witnesses, many
of them convicted drug dealers currently serving state or federal prison time.

The case netted at least eight arrests, and most of those pleaded guilty,
including Vander Gore's two sons, Jeffrey Gore and Vander Keith Gore, and
two nephews, Ronell Gore and Andy Keel.

Evidence submitted during the trial indicated the group was responsible for
bringing more than 150 kilograms of powder cocaine into Atlantic Beach over
more than 20 years.

The prosecution had 26 witnesses take the stand, some testifying against
family members and close friends.

"They don't like being here," Assistant U.S. Attorney Rose Mary Parham said
Tuesday.

"They're nervous. They're uncomfortable.

"Most of them were convicted in this same courtroom."

The first witness last week, Andrew Page, testified against Pridgen, one of
his best friends.

"The hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life is stand up here and
testify against Anthony," Page said during his testimony.

During the trial, the jury heard about "stash cars" allegedly driven by
Vander Gore and his son, Jeffrey. Stash cars have a hidden compartment
built into them that is opened by a series of relay activations.

Witnesses said the stash compartments they saw were opened by putting the
car in neutral, turning on the air conditioner and pushing the up button on
the window.

One witness, convicted drug dealer Jermaine Davis, told the jury that
Vander Gore and Jeffrey Gore visited him in prison once in Kingstree and
told him to give a message to another convicted drug dealer.

Davis said Jeffrey Gore told him to tell Clifton Jordan that he would kill
Jordan, Jordan's girlfriend or Jordan's baby if Jordan "didn't keep his
mouth shut."

Davis said Vander Gore was with his son when the threat was made.

During the trial, Vander Gore admitted to bailing several people out of
jail who had been arrested for drug dealing.

"He bonds people out of jail that have had direct drug dealings with him
... so they won't talk," Parham said in her closing argument.

Contact ERIN REED at 399-8738 or ereed@thesunnews.com.

INFO: At a

glance

Former Atlantic Beach Town Council member Vander More Gore and two other
defendants face prison time of 10 years to life after being found guilty
Wednesday in federal court of conspiracy to distribute drugs. A sentencing
hearing will be at a later date.