Multiple narcotics traffickers sentenced to prison in Lexington County

Lexington, South Carolina – On August 19th, 2024, multiple narcotics traffickers have received significant prison sentences following their convictions in Lexington County General Sessions Court. In response to these convictions, Solicitor Rick Hubbard expressed his significant concern about the dire threats that illegal narcotics, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, pose to the Lexington community, particularly to its youthful demographic.

Jacob Regan Dator Sentenced

Jakob Regan Dator, a 21-year-old resident, was convicted of trafficking Fentanyl, between 4 to 14 grams. Following his plea of guilt on July 23, 2024, Circuit Court Judge, Milton G. Kimpson, passed a sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Having previous convictions for robbery and criminal conspiracy, Dator now resides within the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Drug Investigation Leads to Dator

While investigating numerous Fentanyl-related drug overdoses within the early months of 2023, with at least one resulting in death, the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (“NET”) identified Dator as a significant dealer of this deadly substitute. Detecting him selling Fentanyl in the form of pressed pills deceptively marked as Oxycodone, the NET agents successfully conducted an undercover purchase from Dator on July 31st, 2023. Upon apprehending him during a traffic stop, officers found over five hundred multi-colored pills, which subsequent testing confirmed to be Fentanyl.

Christina Lindemuth Convicted

Christina Lindemuth, a 52-year-old woman from Gaston, was sentenced to nineteen (19) years imprisonment following her guilty plea to trafficking methamphetamine on July 26, 2024. Presiding Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV passed the sentence, making her another name in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Hotel Room Search Leads to Lindemuth

On June 16, 2022, law enforcement was informed of illicit substances and paraphernalia found deserted in a West Columbia hotel room. There, they intercepted Lindemuth attempting to gain access to the room with a safe in her hand, in which she stored over 200 grams of Methamphetamine alongside her personal identification and transaction cards.

Bradford Scott Price Pleads Guilty

Bradford Scott Price, a 39-year-old man from West Columbia, admitted his guilt to trafficking methamphetamine, over 28 grams but less than 100 grams, and trafficking fentanyl, over 4 grams but less than 14 grams. Circulated Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV presided over the guilty plea and handed down a sentence of nine (9) years imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Price’s WCPD Investigation

During the fall of 2023, the West Columbia Police Department (WCPD) conducted a narcotics investigation and made several controlled purchases from Price’s West Columbia residence. Officers successfully obtained a search warrant for the property, discovering over 35 grams of methamphetamine and over 8 grams of fentanyl. With a string of previous convictions for drug offenses and property crimes, Price, on probation during his arrest, will now serve time in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Dator, Lindemuth, and Price have been transferred to the S.C. Department of Corrections to commence their sentences immediately.