Sumter man faces new drug charges while out on bond
Adds 14 counts of marijuana charges in third arrest in six months
A Sumter man who was out on bond after being arrested twice in the last six months is back behind bars on two handfuls of drugs charges.
Jaquan Johnman Wells, 21, of Poinsett Drive, was taken into custody by the Sumter Police Department on Friday and faces seven counts of distribution of marijuana and seven counts of distribution of marijuana within a half-mile of a school or park.
In response to numerous complaints related to “street-level drug activity,” members of the Sumter Police Department Organized Crime and Vice Control Unit investigated for several months leading to the charges, according to Tonyia McGirt, public information officer for the department. All except one of the drug exchanges investigated were made in the Atlantic Avenue area of the city.
The address listed for Wells is across the street from Crosswell Drive Elementary School and Crosswell Drive Park.
Wells was previously charged on Nov. 29, 2017, with domestic violence, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana within a half-mile of a school or park before being released on bond, McGirt said. Officers reported finding more than 4 ounces of suspected marijuana in his possession.
Then, on May 13, he was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. At that time, 73 grams of suspected marijuana were reportedly found in his possession. Wells was again released on bond after being booked at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
“Despite being on bond, Wells chose to continue his illegal activity,” Sumter Police Chief Russell F. Roark III said. “However, thanks to concerned citizens, our officers were able to respond and ultimately place him in custody at Sumter-Lee, where he will remain through adjudication.”
Because he remains in the process of going through the courts, he has not yet been found guilty or not guilty of any charges stemming from the three arrests.
His next scheduled proceeding is in July.