CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A former Chester County manager accused of trafficking methamphetamine out of a county-owned car pleaded guilty in court Friday morning.
Channel 9’s Tina Terry was in the courtroom when Shane Stuart entered a guilty plea on four charges. Afterward, he walked out of the courthouse to report to prison.
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A grand jury indicted Stuart in the middle of the pandemic. He was accused of using his public position and work vehicle to traffic meth all over our area.
On Friday, Stuart pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy, distribution of meth, trafficking meth and misconduct in office. He was sentenced to seven years in prison on that distribution charge Friday.
“We are pleased he admitted what he had done,” said Creighton Waters, chief attorney at the South Carolina State Grand Jury Division. “Admitted he was trafficking meth while elected county manager. Admitted he was scheming to steal catalytic converters and get rid of the security footage. Admitted he used his county vehicle to go across state lines.”
State prosecutors said Stuart was just one part of a very organized crime ring in Chester County.
“Our county has gone through a lot of pain in the past three years,” Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said.
In court Friday, prosecutors released more details saying Stuart met a man named Ace Hembree on a dating app and then hired him as the county dogcatcher. Prosecutors said they worked together, selling meth through the county. Stuart even used his county car to move the drugs.
“Mr. Stuart was not the leader of the trafficking,” Waters said.
The judge will wait until other suspects associated with the case are convicted before sentencing Stuart on the remaining charges.
He could face up to 25 years in prison.
“We’re gonna have the judge make that determination after we complete all cases of co-defendants and we can tell the judge about whether or not he lived up to his obligations,” Waters said.
(WATCH BELOW: Records: Former Chester County sheriff begins prison sentence next week)
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