Lexington, SC 08/16/2021 (Paul Kirby) – Last week, Reynerio Rafael Romero, Jr., 27, pled guilty to Trafficking Cocaine Second Offense. Romero is a validated gang member who was living near Pelion, SC prior to his arrest.
Romero appeared before Circuit Court Judge George M. McFaddin, Jr., who sentenced him to fifteen years in prison. Under South Carolina Law, Trafficking Cocaine Second Offense is classified as a serious, violent offense and there is no possibility of parole. South Carolina law requires that offenders serve at least eighty-five percent of their total sentence before release.
The Lexington County Sherriff Department’s Crime Reduction Unit handle the investigation of this case. Assistant Solicitor Luke Pincelli headed up the prosecution for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Solicitor Rick Hubbard said after the plea that, “The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s Crime Reduction Unit is committed to combating the cause of many violent crimes in Lexington County. The prosecution of drug cases connected to gang activity is extremely important in order to make our community safer. We have experienced far too many homicides and other violent crimes due to gang violence and drug activity. The Crime Reduction Unit’s work is invaluable, and their hard work is to be commended.”
According to the Solicitor’s Office, in May of 2020, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation after leaving a location that was under surveillance due to suspected drug activity. This was near Old Barnwell Road in central Lexington County. Romero was riding in the front passenger seat of that vehicle.
During the stop, law enforcement officers detected an odor of marijuana in the vehicle. They searched it and found marijuana and approximately thirteen grams of cocaine inside. They also located several multi-colored pills that when tested, came back positive for methamphetamine. Deputies also located a stolen Draco semiautomatic pistol with a loaded 30-round magazine in the trunk of the vehicle. Romero eventually admitted the drugs were in his possession.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant to access Romero’s cell phone. That search revealed evidence of drug sales. It also led them to numerous photos and videos that Romero previously posted on different social media sites advertising his illegal drug activities. Law enforcement officers also discovered posts that confirmed Romero’s gang affiliation.
During sentencing, Judge McFaddin considered the many chances Romero had been given in the past. He also took into consideration his previous convictions related to drug dealing. Judge McFaddin noted that Romero continued to choose a criminal lifestyle despite having several opportunities to be successful within the confines of the law.
After the plea, Romero was transferred to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin the immediate service of his sentence.
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