Pickens County Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Meth Distribution

A 40-year-old Pickens County man, William Oliver, was sentenced to 25 years in prison this afternoon following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Judge McIntosh handed down the sentence at the Oconee County Courthouse during a state grand jury session. Despite confusion over the number of his previous offenses, Oliver was identified as a repeat offender. Represented by attorney Larry Crane, while assistant attorney Samantha Goude prosecuted, Oliver was denied a request to delay sentencing to obtain a new lawyer. Oliver may receive credit for 2,344 days already served, pending further court calculation. Prosecutor Goude criticized Oliver for delaying his case since 2018 and labeled him a community nuisance. Oliver has 10 days to appeal. The Attorney General’s office linked Oliver’s case to the “Prison Empire” initiative, a drug operation managed from within prison walls.