Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Daniel Mac Wentz, 46, of Blacksburg, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence presented to the court showed that on April 19, 2024, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wentz. In the car, Wentz had 88 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm pistol. The investigation revealed that Wentz was connected to a large drug trafficking ring in the Upstate.
Wentz had prior drug distribution charges, in addition to convictions for indecent exposure, assault and battery of an aggravated nature, assault with intent to kill, and multiple firearms charges.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Daniel Wentz to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by a five-year term of court ordered supervision.
“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.”
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the 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 the case.
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