Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the Drug Suppression Team, acting on a community tip, responded to #9 King Arthur Court in the Charleswood Community and conducted an investigation into the sales of drugs – acting on the tip deputies conducted surveillance of the suspects and location and interviewed the suspects and residents. Sheriff Lott stated that the investigation conducted by uniform deputies from the Drug Suppression Team resulted in the seizure of 868 ecstasy pills, $300 in us currency and marijuana from Donte Antwain McCall (DOB 2-26-84 of #9 King Arthur Court) and Travis Sintell Dial (DOB 8-19-82 of 411 Royal Street Apartment B, Florence). 

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the arrests come from citizens in the community who got involved in their community and reported the suspicious activity. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that in 2007 one hundred twelve tips (112) came directly from citizens emailing or calling Sheriff Lott directly (by going to www.rcsd.net or emailing llott@rcsd.net), and eighty three (83) tips from the crimestoppers tip-line (1-888-559-(TIPS)/www.midlandscrimestoppers.com) and many tips were provided directly to the “DST” Unit members. Sheriff Lott further stated that this is what the term “collaborative effort and community policing” are all about and that he commends the community for their involvement in assisting “DST” with supplying information to help clean up the streets of Richland County. The numbers are pleasing, with the “DST” Team making 827 arrests in 2007:  However, the Sheriff stated that the significance of the success comes from community involvement and the professionalism and dedication of the deputies assigned to the Unit. 

Additional information:

•  Five deputies are currently assigned to DST

•  DST seized $250,484.00 in drugs

•  DST seized $93,000.00  in US Currency

•  DST seized 65 guns