Prison investigators say an offbeat smuggling scheme that relied on emptied Pringles cans sailing over a Ridgeville prison fence has ended in arrests, after the snack tubes were allegedly packed with contraband and tossed into MacDougall Correctional Institution. The cans, investigators say, were loaded with cellphones, chargers, tobacco and rolling papers, contraband that can fuel unmonitored communications and violence inside the prison. Warrants reference an incident on July 23, 2026 in which Pringles cans were allegedly thrown over the fence. South Carolina Public Radio reported in 2018 that "Thousands of cell phones are smuggled into South Carolina's prisons, and those of other states, each year" and that phones have been "thrown over the fence," providing local precedent for this method of smuggling. PBS reported in 2016 that in Georgia officials "confiscated cellphone parts that had been thrown over the fence -- stuffed in the body of a dead cat," illustrating the varied and sometimes bizarre methods used to get phones into facilities.
Warrants reviewed by WYFF identify four suspects: 27-year-old Destiny Marie Langley of Sumter, 22-year-old Justin Daniel Eaddy of Orangeburg, 36-year-old Antonio Brandon White of St. Matthews and 32-year-old Shimeisha Shadi Bell of Ehrhardt. According to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Pringles cans contained tobacco, cellphones, cellphone chargers, rolling papers and lighters.
Where It Happened
MacDougall is a medium- and minimum-security men's facility operated by the state, with the agency listing its address as 1516 Old Gilliard Road in Ridgeville. The South Carolina Department of Corrections says it investigates contraband incidents and offers ways for the public to anonymously report unauthorized phone use and other threats to facility safety. Investigators say smuggled phones and chargers are a particular concern because they allow unmonitored coordination of illicit activity and can undermine staff efforts to maintain order. According to the National Institute of Justice, "Every day, correctional facilities face formidable threats from contraband such as illicit weapons, drugs, and cell phones," underscoring why seized phones are a recurring security concern. According to the National Institute of Justice, "Managed Access Systems Can Prevent Contraband Cellphone Use," a technology some jurisdictions consider to limit unauthorized phone communications in facilities.
Arrests And What Happens Next
The arrests tied investigators to addresses in Sumter, Orangeburg, St. Matthews and Ehrhardt, according to the warrants. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office lists its non-emergency line at (843) 719-4465 for public inquiries and tip reporting. Officials said it was not yet clear whether prosecutors had formally filed charges or what court dates might be scheduled.
Legal Notes
Those arrested are accused of providing contraband to prisoners and criminal conspiracy, according to the warrants. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges or arrests remain possible. The South Carolina Department of Corrections and local law enforcement urged anyone with information about the smuggling scheme to use official tip lines or contact investigators directly.
