Oconee County Launches 2025’s First Drug Sweep: 11 Arrested

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office kicked off its first drug round-up of 2025 this week, securing 35 arrest warrants for 23 individuals based on undercover buys of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs. Two conspiracy warrants were also issued, with five more added from seizures during arrests.

As of noon Thursday, 11 suspects have been arrested or served warrants while already in custody:

• Melissa Kim Smith, 41, West Union: Distribution of Suboxone (arrested Sept. 17; $5,000 bond, remains in jail).
• Christie Marie Keith, 57, Seneca: Distribution of Meth (arrested Oct. 1; $5,000 bond on OCSO charge, plus Seneca PD warrant; remains in jail).
• Timothy Dewayne Cox, 60, Seneca: Distribution of Meth (arrested Oct. 1; $5,000 bond, released after posting).
• Markus V Walters, 54, Seneca: Distribution of Meth (2 counts; arrested Sept. 14 by Seneca PD; $100,000 bond, remains in jail).
• John Francis Roberts II, 48, Westminster: Possession of Meth (2 counts; arrested Oct. 1; $10,000 bond, remains in jail).
• Steve Allen Broach, 51, Seneca: Distribution of Meth, plus trafficking meth, weapon possession, and fentanyl/Suboxone possession (arrested Oct. 1; additional charges from home search; remains in jail pending hearing).
• Charles Johnathan Sanders, 37, Salem: Distribution of Buprenorphine (arrested Oct. 1; $10,000 bond, remains in jail).
• Steven Ray Watkins, 53, West Union: PWID Meth (arrested Oct. 1; $25,000 bond, remains in jail).
• Steven Lowride McAlister, 43, Westminster: Distribution of Meth, plus fentanyl possession (arrested Oct. 1; $25,000 bond on main charge, remains in jail).
• Matthew Dewayne Trotter, 50, Seneca: Criminal Conspiracy (booked Sept. 5 by US Marshals; remains in jail, bond not set).
• James Daniel Miller, 43, Seneca: Distribution of Meth (arrested Oct. 1; $25,000 bond, remains in jail).

Four others charged are incarcerated elsewhere and will be served later: Kerrie Cheyenne Boggs (Anderson County), Bryan Lance Roach (Pickens County), Shawn Lee Foote II (SCDOC), and Joe Navarro III (SCDOC).

The office seeks tips on the remaining 8 suspects via Crimestoppers (71crime.com, 1-844-71-CRIME, or P3 app) for anonymous, reward-eligible information:

Susan Denise Lockwood, 44, Seneca: Distribution of Meth.

William Isaac McClain, 35, Seneca: Distribution of Fentanyl.

Lennel Lamar Holden, 38, Walhalla: Distribution of Meth.

John Robert Richey, 41, Townville: Distribution (2) and Trafficking Meth.

Candace Haley Blackwell, 24, West Union: Distribution of Fentanyl.

Susan Marie Smith, 47, West Union: Distribution of Meth (2).

Jayquan Nathaniel Goodine, 34, Seneca: PWID Meth and Conspiracy.

Joshua Blake Gray, 36, Westminster: Distribution of Meth.