Prison term meted out to Seneca woman

United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon has announced that a 37-year old Seneca woman, Tabitha A. Hammond, was sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins of Spartanburg ordered a sentence of Hammond amounting to 18 years in federal prison. The U-S Attorney’s Office gave this account of Hammond’s legal difficulties: “Evidence presented to the court established that on August 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 brake light, he initiated a traffic stop. There were four persons in the car and no one had a valid driver’s license with them. The deputy observed much suspicious behavior, including extreme nervousness, attempts to hide the contents of various bags, and one passenger giving indications of flight. The deputy received consent to search 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.”