Four York County men tied to a fentanyl and methamphetamine conspiracy in the Rock Hill and Clover areas were hit with long federal prison sentences yesterday, closing out a multiagency probe into large-scale pill production and wholesale drug trafficking.
Sentences and Charges
U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon handed down the prison terms: Cory Martin was sentenced to 276 months in federal prison, Travis Queen received 125 months, Wesley Huffstetler got 90 months, and Brandon Ramsey was sentenced to 96 months. Prosecutors said Martin pleaded guilty to charges that included conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Queen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, Huffstetler pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and Ramsey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Queen, Huffstetler and Ramsey were each also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after their prison terms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar J. Fyall prosecuted the case, as reported by WCNC.
Federal Crackdown in York County
In recent years, federal and local authorities have repeatedly zeroed in on fentanyl and meth networks in York County, with the York County Multijurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit often teaming up with the ATF and federal prosecutors. Those partnerships have led to several high-profile federal cases and substantial drug seizures under Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operations. Coordinated federal enforcement remains a priority in the district, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors’ Case
Prosecutors told the court they could tie more than 26.4 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 22 pounds of fentanyl to the conspiracy. Investigators intercepted more than 3.7 pounds of methamphetamine that had been shipped to Huffstetler’s home, according to court records.
Court filings and intercepted calls, prosecutors said, show that while Martin was incarcerated he allegedly instructed Ashley Daniels by phone to retrieve fentanyl and methamphetamine from his residence. Agents later recovered the drugs after searching Daniels’ property. Daniels has not yet been sentenced in the case, as reported by WCNC.
What Federal Time Means
There is no parole in the federal system, so the defendants are expected to serve the prison terms imposed unless they successfully appeal or receive clemency. After release, each will be placed on court-ordered supervised release for the period set at sentencing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has previously highlighted coordinated enforcement in York County in public statements, stressing that related investigations remain active, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
What’s Next
These sentencings close out this chapter for four of the defendants, while Daniels remains awaiting a future sentencing date. Prosecutors and local task forces say they will keep pursuing leads tied to the network, and court filings indicate that forfeiture and other follow-up actions could still be filed as the cases move forward.
