Cell phone seized in raid leads to arrests

By CHARLES TOMLINSON
Florence Morning News, SC
02/27/06

A cell phone seized during a drug arrest at a Darlington County traffic checkpoint led to the arrests of two people accused of trying to buy cocaine.

Brandon Lemorris Scott, 24, of Jeffords Road in Darlington was charged with trafficking in narcotics after authorities found him carrying marijuana and cocaine, apparently packaged for sale, according to a press release from the Darlington County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office's Special Tactics and Operations Patrol stopped Scott near Darlington at South Charleston and Pocket roads during a series of checkpoints Friday night and Saturday morning.

In Scott's pocket were digital scales, the type used to weigh drugs on the street, according to the press release.

Agents also found a small boy asleep in the back seat and called family members to take custody of the child, according to the press release.

Authorities seized his car, as well as several cell phones.

When one of the phones rang, a Darlington County Combined Drug Unit agent answered it and posed as Scott, according to the press release.

The caller wanted to arrange a drug buy, and the agents agreed to meet the caller and another man at a local store, according to the press release.

Travis Dean Davis, 32, and Walton Thomas Parrish II, 21, both of Daventry Drive in Darlington, met the agents and then were arrested and charged with attempting to purchase cocaine.

The checkpoints were held in conjunction with the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; the Darlington County Combined Drug Unit; and the Lamar Police Department.

Authorities served three warrants at the checkpoints, and they seized about $1,800 in narcotics and about $1,670 in cash and property, according to the press release.