South Carolina man convicted of trafficking fentanyl

COMING UP. WYFF NEWS FOUR TODAY STARTS RIGHT NOW. TWO CHILDREN KILLED AFTER A TREE CRASHED INTO THEIR BEDROOM DURING THE VIOLENT STORMS THAT SWEPT THROUGH THE CAROLINAS. WINDY AND COOLER ON THIS SAINT PATRICK’S DAY. BUT THE 70S ARE COMING BACK. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT WHEN THAT WILL HAPPEN AND HOW LONG IT WILL LAST. COMING UP, FEEDING UPSTATE CHILDREN IN NEED ONE BOX AT A TIME. HOW YOU CAN HELP. YOU SEE VIDEOS OF OTHER PEOPLE GOING THROUGH IT, BUT YOU NEVER THINK THAT YOU’D GO THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS. GOD’S BLESS US ALL. GOD. POWERFUL STORMS SENT TREES CRASHING THROUGH A THREE YEAR OLD’S ROOM IN GEORGIA, JUST AS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONFIRMED A HIGH END EF ONE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN THE PAULDING COUNTY AREA. WE’RE TOLD SEVERAL HOMES WERE DAMAGED AND SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER THIS MORNING. CONESTEE FIRE RESCUE SAYS TWO CHILDREN ARE DEAD AFTER A TREE FELL DOWN ON A HOME IN TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. FIRE CREWS SAY THEY WERE CALLED TO OAKS DRIVE AROUND 330 YESTERDAY MORNING AFTER RECEIVING A REPORT OF CHILDREN TRAPPED. FIRE CREWS SAY THEY FOUND A SINGLE WIDE TRAILER WITH A THREE FOOT IN DIAMETER TREE THROUGH ITS CENTER. WE’RE TOLD AN 11 YEAR OLD AND 13 YEAR OLD DIED FROM THEIR INJURIES. THREE OTHERS ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. THOUSANDS OF POWER OUTAGES ALSO CONTINUE THIS MORNING. MOST ARE IN NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE BREVARD AREA. AT LAST CHECK, ACCORDING TO DUKE ENERGY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 3000 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER IN WESTERN COUNTIES. GOOD MORNING. I’M DESTINY CHANCE. IT IS MONDAY, MARCH 17TH, SAINT PATRICK’S DAY. THANKS FOR WAKING UP WITH US. A SUNNY DAY NOW THAT STORMS ARE GONE. PARELLA LEWIS IS HERE WITH A FIRST LOOK AT THE FORECAST. PARELLA WHAT’S THE LATEST? IT’S GOING TO BE PRETTY GOOD ACTUALLY. NOT BAD FOR A MONDAY. NOT BAD AT ALL. DEFINITELY ON THE COOLER SIDE. 50 DEGREES IN WALHALLA AND IN SPARTANBURG, 50 DEGREES IN GREENWOOD AND 49 DEGREES IN ANDERSON. LET’S CHECK THE SKY CONDITIONS. WILL YOU NEED THE SUNGLASSES TODAY? WELL, I THINK THAT ANSWER IS YES. THREE FOUR, 5:00 TODAY. IT’S GOING TO BE OH SO NICE. AND BACK TO THAT WALL TO WALL OR MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES. THAT’S GOING TO BE PRETTY NICE. IT IS GOING TO BE ON THE COOLER SIDE, COOLER THAN IT HAS BEEN. WE’LL TOP OUT AT ABOUT 60 DEGREES. BUT WITH THOSE BREEZY TO WINDY CONDITIONS IT’S GOING TO MAKE IT FEEL A LITTLE BIT COOLER AT TIMES. SO IT’S COLD THIS MORNING. IF YOU NEED A JACKET THIS MORNING, YOU MAY NEED ONE THIS AFTERNOON. A COAT FOR THE MOUNTAINS TOPPING OUT AT 50 BUT FEELING MORE LIKE THE 40S MOST OF THE DAY WITH THOSE GUSTS UP TO 40MPH. HERE’S TOMORROW MORNING. IT’S GOING TO BE CHILLY. YOU DON’T WANT TO SLEEP WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN TONIGHT, BUT LOOK AT WHERE WE END UP BACK IN THE LOW 70S. MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES. LET’S START PLANNING FOR LUNCH OR DINNER OUTDOORS TOMORROW, SHALL WE? HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? I HAVE THAT ANSWER FOR YOU. IT’S COMING UP IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE. FIRST, THOUGH, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE. GET A CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. DESTINY. HOW’S TRAFFIC? OH, GREENVILLE COUNTY IS LOOKING GREAT RIGHT NOW FROM OUR LIVE LOOK AT CDOT CAMERA. I-85 AT I-385. LOTS OF CARS ON THE ROADS FOR THIS TIME OF MORNING. 602 IS YOUR TIME CHECK, BUT NO SLOWDOWNS TO REPORT. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE TRAVEL TIMES. 26 EASTBOUND I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. YOU’RE LOOKING AT AN 11 MINUTE DRIVE, A SIX MINUTE DRIVE FOR 85 SOUTHBOUND AIRPORT TO WOODRUFF ROAD, AND THEN 385 NORTHBOUND FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN, 13 MINUTES, ACCORDING TO THE UNITED WAY, NEARLY 1 IN 5 CHILDREN LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS THAT FACE FOOD INSECURITY. IT DERAILS A STUDENT’S CONCENTRATION, MOOD AND MOTOR SKILLS, ALL OF WHICH CHILDREN NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL. OUR ISABELLE MARAK JOINS US LIVE FROM SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WITH MORE ABOUT A BUILD A BOX EVENT. HEY, DESTINY. GOOD MORNING. I MEAN, YOU CAN SEE THIS ALL HERE BEHIND ME. VOLUNTEERS GOT UP EARLY THIS MORNING TO HELP BUILD BOXES AND BAGS. WE GOT BRENDA KELLY HERE. SHE’S SUPERINTENDENT OF ANDERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT FIVE. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON HERE TODAY. WELL, THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PARTNER WITH UNITED WAY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ARE SO WONDERFUL ABOUT BOXING UP ALL OF THESE MEALS FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE HAVE ROUGHLY ABOUT 450, 460 CHILDREN THAT EACH WEEK GET MEALS BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE VOLUNTEERS CANNING AND PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER FOR OUR CHILDREN. YEAH. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO COME OUT AND HELP OUT HERE TODAY? WELL, IT’S JUST SO IMPORTANT TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS, SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES, AND AND BEING A PART OF IT AND LIVING IT AND KNOWING ALL THAT GOES IN AND JUST BEING A PART. THANKING THESE FOLKS, THANKING THEM FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR US AND FOR OUR CHILDREN. EACH WEEK WE SIT AROUND 500 KIDS BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM HERE IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. TALK, YOU KNOW, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU. WELL, EACH WEEK THESE BAGS THAT ARE BEING CREATED RIGHT NOW, THEY’RE DELIVERED TO OUR SCHOOLS AND THEY’RE GIVEN TO OUR CHILDREN THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY FOOD FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. AND SO IT ENSURES THAT DURING THAT WEEKEND TIME WHEN THEY CAN’T HAVE THAT FREE BREAKFAST OR FREE LUNCH AT SCHOOL, THAT THEY WILL HAVE MEALS. AND SO IT’S VERY IMPORTANT. AND WE’RE JUST SO THANKFUL FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE, VOLUNTEERS, FOLKS LIKE THAT. YOU SEE BACK HERE THAT HELP US HELP OUR CHILDREN THROUGH THE WEEKENDS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO GET ACROSS TODAY THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE AT HOME SHOULD KNOW? JUST GIVE TO THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION HELPING OUR CHILDREN. BECAUSE WHEN YOU HELP A CHILD, YOU HELP THAT CHILD SUCCEED AND YOU JUST NEVER KNOW THE IMPACT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR CHILDREN, THAT THEN IS A BETTERMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO I JUST THANK ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN AND TO REALLY GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS AND DONATIONS AND TIME TO THIS WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, BRENDA. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. YEAH, WE’LL CONTINUE TO BE OUT HERE HIGHLIGHTING THIS EVENT THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. BUT LIKE SHE MENTIONED, TODAY IS THE DAY TO DONATE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP OUT. BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE IN ANDERSON COUNTY, ISABELLE MARAK WYFF NEWS FOUR ISABELLE. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME NOW IS 605 AND PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HE’LL SPEAK WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN THIS WEEK AS THE U-S PRESSES TO END THE WAR IN UKRAINE. AMY LU IS IN OUR WASHINGTON BUREAU TRACKING DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT STORY. PLUS, NEW ACTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. DESTINY. PRESIDENT TRUMP IS STEPPING UP MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN BACKED GROUPS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS HE PLANS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ON TUESDAY. AND WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT LAND. WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT POWER PLANTS. PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS HE’LL SPEAK WITH PRESIDENT PUTIN ABOUT DIVIDING UP CERTAIN ASSETS. I WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN BRING THAT WAR TO AN END. MAYBE WE CAN, MAYBE WE CAN’T. BUT I THINK WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE. THE CALL HAPPENING DAYS AFTER TRUMP OFFICIALS MET WITH PRESIDENT PUTIN AND EARLIER WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS ON A POTENTIAL 30 DAY CEASE FIRE. THE PRESIDENT USES THE WORD, USES THE TIME FRAME WEEKS. AND I DON’T DISAGREE WITH HIM. I AM REALLY HOPEFUL THAT WE’RE GOING TO SEE SOME REAL PROGRESS HERE. MEANWHILE, PROMISING OVERWHELMING LETHAL FORCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERING AIRSTRIKES AGAINST HOUTHI REBELS IN YEMEN OVER IRANIAN BACKED MILITANT ATTACKS ON WESTERN SHIPS. WE’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THESE GUYS, THESE PEOPLE WITH WEAPONS ABLE TO TELL US WHERE OUR SHIPS CAN GO, WHERE THE SHIPS OF ALL THE WORLD CAN GO. BY THE WAY, IT’S NOT JUST THE US. WE’RE DOING THE WORLD A FAVOR. AS NEGOTIATIONS TO END THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR ARE AT A STANDSTILL, I THINK THERE’S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM. BUT THE OPPORTUNITY IS CLOSING FAST. THE HOUTHI REBELS SAY THAT THEY’VE RESUMED TARGETING SHIPS IN THE RED SEA REGION, WHICH IS A MAJOR TRADE CORRIDOR, BECAUSE ISRAEL IS NOW BLOCKING AID, HEADED OVER TO GAZA. IN WASHINGTON, I’M AMY LU WYFF NEWS FOUR. IT’S 607 WITH THE BRACKET SET AFTER SELECTION SUNDAY. IT IS TIME FOR MARCH MADNESS. JOIN US WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIGHT HERE ON WYFF4.COM FOR OUR LATEST SPORTS SPECIAL, ROAD TO THE TITLE. THE CLEMSON TIGERS AND GEORGIA BULLDOGS ARE BACK IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT ALONG WITH SOCON CHAMPS, THE WOFFORD TERRIERS AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS ARE DEFENDING A NATIONAL TITLE. YOU CAN CATCH ALL THE ACTION WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 RIGHT HERE ON WYFF4.COM. OKAY, WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO A BRAND NEW SEASON, AND IT’S GOING TO BE SPRING IN JUST THREE DAYS FROM NOW. IT OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 20TH. THE VERNAL EQUINOX ARRIVES AT 501. AND YES, THAT MEANS EASTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. THAT’S ABOUT 34 DAYS FROM NOW. AND THEN THOSE OF YOU THAT LIKE TO PLANT AND GARDEN, IT WILL BE YOUR TIME WITH THE LAST FROST OF THE SEASON COMING AROUND THAT TIME. HEY, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE NICE TODAY. NEAR 60 DEGREES. HOW ABOUT SOME SUNSHINE? IT’S GOING TO BE NICE. IT’S STILL GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT BREEZY TO WINDY AT TIMES. SO SOMETHING WITH SLEEVES TODAY. MAYBE A LITTLE EXTRA HAIRSPRAY IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE OUT AND ABOUT. HIGHS WILL BE NEAR 50, BUT IT’S GOING TO FEEL MORE LIKE THE 40S TODAY WITH THOSE WIND GUSTS UP TO 40MPH FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT TOMORROW MORNING. OH, IT’S GOING TO BE COLD. WE’RE DIPPING BACK INTO THE 30S. IN FACT, LOOK AT WHERE WE END UP FOR THE DAY THOUGH. TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO CLIMB ABOUT 30 DEGREES. HOW ABOUT HIGHS BACK IN THE 70S TOMORROW? IT’S NOT EVEN THE WARMEST DAY EXPECTED. THIS WEEK. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT WHEN THAT WILL BE AND WHAT THE WEEKEND HOLDS. THE LATEST ON IT ALL HERE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. FIRST, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE THOUGH. GET A QUICK CHECK OF OUR ROADS. HOW’S TRAFFIC? LOOK AT DESTINY. ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE ARE TAKING A LIVE LOOK FROM PELHAM ROAD RIGHT NOW. NORMALLY A BUSY TIME FOR THESE DIRECTIONS OF TRAFFIC. THAT’S I-85 NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND LANES IN GREENVILLE COUNTY. LET’S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE TRAVEL TIMES. YOU CAN SEE THERE’S NO SLOWDOWNS JUST LIKE THAT TRAVEL CAM WAS, YOU KNOW, REFLECTING IT. I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY SHOULD TAKE YOU 11 MINUTES. AIRPORT ON WOODRUFF ROAD A SIX MINUTE DRIVE IN FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN 13. MEANWHILE, A NOTE FOR DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE DRIVERS, A ROAD CLOSURE ON CLEVELAND STREET BEGINS THIS MORNING. PART OF THE SOUTH DOWNTOWN SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. CONTRACTORS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEWER UNDERNEATH CLEVELAND STREET, WHICH REQUIRES THE ROAD TO BE CLOSED TODAY THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH. DRIVERS SHOULD USE CHURCH

South Carolina man convicted after discovery of fentanyl stash enough for 41,000 fatal overdoses

Updated: 10:08 AM EDT Mar 17, 2025

A South Carolina man has been convicted for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.On Jan. 29, 2024, investigators conducted surveillance on a home in the area of Rolling Meadows mobile home park. A search of the West Columbia home led to the seizure of trafficking amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and cocaine. Investigators also found several firearms and over $20,000 cash in the home.The search warrant also led to the arrest of David Matthews Jr.More News: Suspect arrested following deadly weekend shooting in UpstateOn Monday, the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced the conviction of the now 52-year-old on multiple counts of trafficking narcotics and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that based upon current information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the amount of fentanyl seized was potentially enough for 41,000 fatal overdoses. More News: Upstate school district offline after network security breachFollowing a jury trial, Matthews was sentenced on March 11, 2025. Circuit Court Judge William Keesley sentenced Matthews to 25 years in prison.

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. —

A South Carolina man has been convicted for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.

On Jan. 29, 2024, investigators conducted surveillance on a home in the area of Rolling Meadows mobile home park. A search of the West Columbia home led to the seizure of trafficking amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and cocaine. Investigators also found several firearms and over $20,000 cash in the home.

The search warrant also led to the arrest of David Matthews Jr.

11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office

More News: Suspect arrested following deadly weekend shooting in Upstate

On Monday, the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced the conviction of the now 52-year-old on multiple counts of trafficking narcotics and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented evidence that based upon current information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the amount of fentanyl seized was potentially enough for 41,000 fatal overdoses.

More News: Upstate school district offline after network security breach

Following a jury trial, Matthews was sentenced on March 11, 2025. Circuit Court Judge William Keesley sentenced Matthews to 25 years in prison.