3 charged in Orangeburg mobile meth lab bust
Three people were arrested on Monday and charged with possessing items to make methamphetamine following a traffic stop on Shillings Bridge Road, The State reported.
In a press release, Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Department said the vehicle was initially stopped by the S.C. Highway Patrol. They reported finding a mobile meth lab in the trunk of the vehicle.
Shane Allen Russell, 25, has been charged with manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine and released on a $20,000 bond.
Will Rogers Mitchum Jr., 21, was also charged with manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine and driving under suspension. He has been released on a $20,000 bond as well.
Fran Nicole Roberts, 18, was charged with manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine. Bond was set at $20,000 but Roberts was held on other additional charges.
— Emily Ready, Asst. Copy Desk Chief
SC health care filings low on federal marketplace
Fewer than 600 people registered for health insurance policies on the Health Insurance Marketplace in its first month, The State reported.
Across the country, 106,185 people signed up for plans on the marketplace between Oct. 1 and Nov. 2, with a third of all registrants coming from California, which had its own state marketplace.
South Carolina is among the 36 states without a state marketplace. Nineteen states had fewer people register than South Carolina, with North Dakota coming in last at only 42.
South Carolinians filed 11,249 applications covering 20,980 people during the marketplace’s first month. Applications must be completed to shop for plans, and South Carolina had the 16th most filings among the 36 states on the federal marketplace.
— Amanda Coyne, News Editor
Robbery victim charged with possession of marijuana
A man was arrested Sunday at his home at 303 Saluda River Road and charged with attempted murder and armed robbery, The State reported. The victim was also charged after police found marijuana at the residence.
Vashon Cunningham, 20, got into a physical altercation with the resident of the home after he presented a gun. Multiple shots were fired and one struck the victim’s upper body.
According to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, before leaving the home, Cunningham stole the wallet, credit cards and cash of the victim’s friend who feigned death from one of the fired shots. He was not injured.
The victim’s wife would not allow deputies to enter when they arrived. Deputies reported smelling a strong odor of marijuana from inside and saw marijuana in the foyer. According to police, a search warrant was issued and marijuana was found in multiple other places in the home.
Cunningham was transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Lott said. The victim will be charged upon his hospital release.
— Emily Ready, Asst. Copy Desk Chief