‘A needed law’: McMaster says he plans to sign S.C. fentanyl bill
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Wednesday he plans to sign a bill into law to tackle fentanyl in the state.
The bill, which the General Assembly overwhelmingly ed this year, will create a new criminal charge of fentanyl-induced homicide, carrying penalties of up to 30 years in prison for those who knowingly provide fentanyl to someone who then dies from it.
“I think fentanyl poses a dangerous threat to us,” McMaster told reporters Wednesday. “There may be some other laws that stretch to reach it, but this one makes it very clear what the elements of the crime are. The clarity in the law makes it easier to convict those who need to be convicted. I know there’s some objections to it, but it’s a needed law.”
Those objections most recently came in the form of disagreements among prosecutors, including a t statement from a dozen South Carolina solicitors saying this legislation will likely be ineffective.
They shared their views as state Attorney General Alan Wilson touted the statewide “Devil in Disguise” investigation that’s seized enough fentanyl to kill 2 million people.
A bill the General Assembly overwhelmingly ed this year will create a new criminal charge of fentanyl-induced homicide, carrying penalties of up to 30 years in prison for those who knowingly provide fentanyl to someone who then dies from it.
Mace reacts to bond denial for 19-year-old accused of death threat
A 19-year-old from Greenville who was accused of threatening to kill Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace was denied bond on Friday morning.
Wilson told reporters that more charges could be forthcoming from it.
“We want to put this law to work right away,” he said. “As soon as the governor signs it, we’re going to ride it right away.”
The fentanyl-induced homicide bill has not yet gotten to Gov. Henry McMaster’s desk, but he is expected to sign it into law once it reaches him.
But the people who would prosecute those charges don’t believe it will be an effective tool to stop drug trafficking.
Execution set for S.C. double murderer in a case with Augusta ties
A South Carolina man who was twice sentenced to die for killing two people nearly two decades ago has now been scheduled to be executed on June 13 for a case that has an Augusta connection.
“I doubt very seriously it will ever be used, and if it is used, it will be an extremely rare circumstance,” 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone said.
Stone was one of a dozen South Carolina solicitors g on to a t statement Monday, saying this legislation will likely be ineffective.
Stone points to the requirement that a person “knowingly” provide fentanyl for them to be convicted of fentanyl-induced homicide.
“Here’s their defense: ‘I thought I was giving them heroin. I thought I was selling them cocaine. I didn’t know I was selling them fentanyl,’” Stone said. “Best case scenario, this is status quo. This doesn’t hurt us, but I think it provides a lot of false hope.”
Have you seen this suspect in Aiken hit-and-run case?
Bennett Wiggins is accused of hit-and-run of an attended vehicle; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; reckless driving; and more.
Stone said other legislation pending before the General Assembly to crack down on gangs and racketeering would be more effective in fighting drug trafficking.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
