Sumter man sentenced on federal drug charges

COLUMBIA — Marty Sanders, 34, of Sumter was sentenced today in federal court on drug charges, according to U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins.

U.S. District Judge Margaret B. Seymour sentenced Sanders to 210 months’ imprisonment.

A joint investigation was initiated in early 2006 by the Sumter Police Department and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department, after both agencies received numerous complaints about a pill distribution ring involving prescription drugs, such as Oxycontin, Tylox, and Dilaudid, operating in the Sumter area. Federal agents with the DEA’s prescription drug diversion unit joined the investigation. The case included several undercover purchases and numerous interviews with cooperating witnesses. Investigators estimate that the group distributed thousands of prescription pills over the past three years. Sanders pleaded guilty and admitted his involvement with the ring, according to the attorney’s office.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the two Sumter law enforcement agencies.