COLUMBIA, S.C. — Vaughnta Markees Jones, a 45-year-old Lancaster resident, has been sentenced to a five-year federal prison term for his involvement in the distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine, as well as for breaching the conditions of his prior federal supervised release.
Jones, who had previous convictions related to firearms offenses in 2010, was under federal supervised release when the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office identified him as involved in narcotics distribution within Lancaster County. An undercover operation on March 29, 2023, resulted in the purchase of 49.8 grams of methamphetamine directly from Jones.
Subsequent law enforcement actions on May 8, 2023, included a traffic stop of Jones’ vehicle, leading to the discovery of roughly four and a half pounds of marijuana and hydrocodone pills. Jones was arrested and faced charges for possession with the intent to distribute both marijuana and hydrocodone, along with tramadol. He acknowledged acquiring the marijuana in Maryland for distribution in Lancaster County.