Lancaster County in South Carolina is grappling with the consequences of the opioid crisis, as two Kershaw residents were arrested for fentanyl trafficking. According to a social media post by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, James Cory Hunter, 36, and Jessica Elaine Vogel, 42, are now facing multiple drug charges. The arrests were carried out by the Lancaster County Multijurisdictional Narcotics Task Force after two controlled purchases of what was suspected to be fentanyl were made from Hunter at his home.
Executing a strategy to actively target drug trafficking in the area, investigators swiftly moved in last Friday, September 26, to serve an arrest warrant and search Hunter’s property. Hunter and Vogel were both detained without incident, but another adult male present at the scene was not implicated and therefore was not charged. The search yielded a troubling find of 13.4 grams of suspected Fentanyl and liquid Hydrocodone, along with paraphernalia indicative of drug distribution. In a statement obtained by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff highlighted the importance of community tips in effectively identifying and investigating suspects. Hunter's charges include Trafficking Fentanyl 4-14 Grams and multiple counts related to the Distribution of Fentanyl and other controlled substances near a school or park.
Vogel, who was arrested days later, now faces similar charges after investigators found her in possession of suspected Fentanyl upon arrest. Sheriff Barry Faile, in the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office original announcement, expressed determination in closing down such operations: "Our objective is to shut down these drug houses, put people in jail who are selling drugs, and make these neighborhoods safe and clean for the people living in them."
Both Hunter and Vogel were denied bond and remain in the Lancaster County Detention Center. With the investigation ongoing, the Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information to come forward and promises confidentiality.
