Daniel Mac Wentz, 46, from Blacksburg, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentencing took place in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
According to evidence presented in court, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Wentz’s vehicle on April 19, 2024. During the stop, deputies found 88 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm pistol in his possession. Investigators linked Wentz to a larger drug trafficking operation active in the Upstate region.
Wentz had prior convictions related to drug distribution as well as charges for indecent exposure, assault and battery of an aggravated nature, assault with intent to kill, and multiple firearms offenses.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Wentz to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
“This career criminal was part of a larger drug trafficking ring responsible for bringing substantial quantities of illegal drugs into the Upstate,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Getting these drugs off of our streets and holding offenders like this accountable makes our communities safer.”
“This sentencing demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking and armed criminals,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant who also oversees North and South Carolina. “Daniel Wentz’s extensive criminal history and his role in methamphetamine distribution posed a significant threat to public safety. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle criminal networks and hold offenders accountable.”
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF coordinates efforts among various agencies using intelligence-driven strategies against high-level drug traffickers and organized crime groups across the United States (https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
Multiple agencies participated in investigating this case: Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office; Greenville County Sheriff’s Office; Greenville Police Department; Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit; South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General; and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting.
