Seneca Woman pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced Monday that 37-year-old Tabitha A. Hammond of Seneca pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins, of Spartanburg, accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Hammond after he has a chance to review the presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office. Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on Aug. 8, 2017, an Oconee County deputy sheriff was patrolling in the Fair Play area when he observed a vehicle turn without signaling and then turn quickly into a residence before he could initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped at the residence for just a few minutes and resumed travel. Upon observing a defective break light, the deputy initiated a traffic stop. There were four people in the car and no one had a valid license with them. The deputy received consent to search the vehicle from the driver and located more than five pounds of methamphetamine in a bag belonging to Hammond. After being given her Miranda Warnings, Hammond admitted to engaging in drug trafficking activity. The maximum penalty Hammond can receive is a fine of $20,000,000 and/or imprisonment for life, plus a special assessment of $100. This case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.