Two Lancaster County men have been sentenced to federal prison for drug and firearm offenses in separate cases, according to a March 9 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address violent crime and illegal weapons activity in the region. Authorities say these prosecutions are part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing gun violence and making communities safer.
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina said, “Both of these defendants are convicted felons who continued to bring guns and drugs into Lancaster County. We’re committed to working with our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify violent offenders like McGriff and Hood and prosecute them federally.”
Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile said, “These cases are a great example of the value of partnerships in law enforcement. Our officers made a traffic stop and found McGriff to be in possession of substantial quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine and a handgun. On another traffic stop we found Hood, who is prohibited from having firearms and ammunition, with a pistol. From there we had the assistance of the FBI and the ATF in preparing the cases for prosecution in federal court. I am grateful for their help and the efforts of the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office in getting these cases into court quickly and sending McGriff and Hood to federal prison for their illegal narcotics and weapons activities in Lancaster County.”
Joblicenarius W’Yarian McGriff, 28, was sentenced to more than six years after being found with over 23 grams of fentanyl, over 5 grams of methamphetamine, and a handgun during a March 2, 2024 traffic stop. Surveillance video showed him carrying the same bag containing these items before his arrest.
La’Jameion Vartavious Hood, 25, received more than three years for being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm discovered during a June 24, 2024 traffic stop. Hood has prior convictions including accessory after the fact to murder.
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis sentenced McGriff to 78 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised release; Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. sentenced Hood to 37 months imprisonment. There is no parole in federal prison.
The investigations were conducted by local deputies along with agents from the FBI Columbia Field Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Prosecutors included Assistant U.S. Attorneys E. Elizabeth Major (for McGriff), Elle E. Klein (for Hood), as well as Department of Justice Trial Attorney Christopher Matthews.
These prosecutions fall under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that brings together law enforcement at all levels with community organizations to reduce violent crime through focused strategies launched on May 26, 2021.
