Executive Summary
- Lancaster County deputies arrested five people following a raid on a home in Indian Land, S.C.
- Authorities seized methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax, marijuana, two firearms, and a stolen motorcycle.
- The operation followed a months-long investigation triggered by community complaints and a controlled drug purchase.
- Two suspects face trafficking charges and were denied bond, while three others face distribution charges.
Authorities in Lancaster County, South Carolina, arrested five individuals last week following a targeted drug raid that resulted in the seizure of narcotics, firearms, and a stolen motorcycle. The operation was executed by the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, January 15, at a residence on Barberville Road in Indian Land.
According to investigators, the search warrant was obtained after law enforcement successfully conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine at the location. Sheriff Barry Faile noted that the operation was the culmination of a “months-long investigation based on complaints” received from the community and intelligence gathered by detectives over time.
During the execution of the warrant, deputies reportedly confiscated 2.2 ounces of methamphetamine, approximately half an ounce of cocaine, more than two dozen Xanax pills, and nearly two ounces of marijuana. Digital scales indicative of distribution were also found at the scene. In addition to the narcotics, authorities seized a Remington 12-gauge shotgun and a Ruger .380 caliber pistol. A motorcycle, reported stolen out of Rock Hill, was recovered from the basement of the home.
Five suspects were taken into custody and face various charges. Renee Hewitt Schmader, 56, and Robert Eric White, 58, face the most severe allegations, including trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as four counts each of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime. Both were denied bond on the drug and weapons charges. Three other individuals—Kimberly Shelton Patrick, 53; Adrian Hunter Pittman, 24; and Judith Marie Wright, 31—face charges related to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and other controlled substances.
Investigative Impact and Legal Procedures
The execution of this search warrant highlights the critical role of community intelligence in initiating long-term narcotics investigations. The seizure of trafficking-level quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, coupled with the presence of firearms, significantly escalates the legal stakes for the defendants under South Carolina law. As the investigation transitions to the judicial phase, prosecutors will likely focus on the nexus between the narcotics distribution and the recovered weaponry. It is important to note that all individuals named in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
