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5 convicted of fentanyl trafficking, Horry County gun crimes

5 convicted of fentanyl trafficking, Horry County gun crimes

HORRY COUNTY, SC(WMBF) – Five men are headed to federal prison for their roles in a Horry County criminal conspiracy.

Evidence presented in court showed that from 2018 to 2023, Joshua Rodriguez, Derrick Hooks and Christopher Brown were involved in the trafficking of pressed pills containing fentanyl in and around Horry County.

Rodriguez was identified as a high-level dealer who sold around 14 kilograms of fentanyl. Authorities said he also had weapons and threatened to use violence against others.

During an investigation into Hooks, a search warrant was executed at a residence Hooks was associated with, and authorities found 3.5 kilograms of pills, several kilograms of suspected marijuana, a gun, ammunition and over 10,000 of dollars in cash. A further investigation found that Hooks was responsible for trafficking 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl.

Investigators found that Brown was a low-level dealer and, over the course of five years, trafficked 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl. They said he was also involved in a 2023 pursuit in Georgetown County, where he led deputies on a chase into Pawleys Island where speeds reached 91 miles per hour.

Two other associates in the criminal conspiracy, Jonathan Ta and Neil Torres, were arrested on gun charges.

Evidence presented in court shows that in November 2020, Myrtle Beach police arrived at a restaurant with a warrant for Ta’s arrest.

Officers tried to take him into custody, but Ta disobeyed, reached into his waistband, pulled out a loaded gun and handed it to Torres before Ta tried to flee the scene.

Both Ta and Torres are convicted felons and are not legally allowed to own guns.

The following are the reasons and sentence:

  • Joshua Rodriguez, 33, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
  • Derrick Adrien Hooks, Jr., 27, of Chesterfield, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
  • Christopher Brown, 32, of Pawleys Island, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl;
  • Jonathan Thien Ta, 32, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; Ta’s federal sentence will run consecutive to a state sentence he is serving for separate firearms-related conduct; and
  • Neil Alexander Torres, 32, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The case is part of an investigation by organized crime drug task forces. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations.