Greenwood, S.C.; June 11, 2024 — A Greenwood man was sentenced to 18 years in prison this week after pleading guilty to multiple drug offenses including trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced on Friday.
Keith Wayne Pope, 51, pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon after a Greenwood County jury was selected for the trial of his case. Circuit Judge Donald B. Hocker accepted Pope’s plea and sentenced him to 18 years in prison. Because of the serious nature of the charges, Pope will not be eligible for parole and must serve at least 85% of the sentence.
On May 5, 2022, an investigation by the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit in conjunction with the Greenwood Police Department culminated in the execution of a search warrant at a compound located at 2508 Ridge Road where numerous individuals were arrested, including Pope. In Pope’s vehicle and residence, deputies found a variety of drugs including more than 3 kilos of methamphetamine.
Deputy Solicitors Yates Brown and Demetri Andrews prosecuted the case for the state with the assistance of 8th Circuit Investigator Blake Moore. Pope was represented by Newberry attorney Charles Verner.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the efforts of his team working alongside deputies with the GCSO Drug Enforcement Unit and officers with the Greenwood Police Department in securing the conviction and lengthy prison sentence.
“The actions of drug dealers like Keith Pope not only affect the addicts who use their products, but often spiral into other violent crimes that impact innocent families,” Solicitor Stumbo said following the sentencing. “We will continue to work with (Greenwood County) Sheriff (Dennis) Kelly, (Greenwood Police) Chief (T.J.) Chaudoin, and our law enforcement partners across the 8th Circuit to put people like Keith Pope behind bars.”