From making drugs to dealing cocaine, all 4 kidnapped by Gulf Cartel had a long drug-related criminal history
MATAMOROS, MEXICO: The four US citizens who were kidnapped in northern Mexico, two of whom were murdered, have had lengthy criminal cases charged against them in the past. The four friends were traveling from South Carolina, and they had crossed the border for the cosmetic treatment of Latavia McGee in a white minivan. They were assaulted and kidnapped at gunpoint by Gulf Cartel members on Friday, March 3.
The four criminals — Latavia McGee, Eric Williams, Shaeed Woodard, and Zindell Brown — were found in a rundown stash house near a place known as La Lagunona, which is close to Matamoros. However, Tamaulipas Attorney General Irving Barrios informed on Tuesday, March 8, “Unfortunately, two dead. Investigation and intelligence work continue to capture those responsible. Details will be given later,” after Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown were confirmed dead. Further, 24-year-old Jose 'N' was arrested in connection with the incident as he was in charge of monitoring the victims at the Stash house.
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What are the crimes charges against the four citizens?
All four citizens have had some history with drugs, as reported by Daily Mail. McGee has been slapped with "unlawful conduct towards a child," when her daughter tested positive for amphetamines. Meanwhile, Williams was previously charged for "distributing crack near a school." Woodard was charged with the "manufacturing and possession" of drugs and pleaded guilty, while Brown was charged with " possession of marijuana or hashish." Williams was charged with two counts as he distributed cocaine base around March 1, 2016. He was jailed for 18 months in March 2017. In the legal documents regarding William's charges, it reads, "The defendant did distribute a quantity of crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Lake City Police Department. This violation was recorded in audio and video and was investigated by the Lake City Police Department Narcotics Division. This violation did occur within a half-mile radius of Ronald E McNair Junior High School… and was in session at the time of this incident."
His arrest affidavit mentioned "outstanding narcotic distribution warrants" and also the possession of "a prescription pill bottle with 50 Adderall pills… the bottle did not have the defendant's name on it. Several small plastic bags containing a white rock-like substance which filed test positive for cocaine base which was recovered from the defendant." He was also charged with loading a .22 caliber handgun in his right rear pocket. The affidavit said: "The defendant is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition by state law. This incident did occur in the yard of 345 Scott Street, a location that the defendant does not reside at and a location that officers have received numerous complaints of drug activity and prostitution."
What was the burglary case Williams was involved in?
Williams was also charged in a burglary case when he was a teen. The arrest warrant of this case indicates that on January 24, 2002, he was with another man "who did forcibly enter" a residence by pushing out an air conditioner unit from a bedroom window." In this case, he was positively identified and charged with second-degree burglary and was under South Carolina's Youth Offender Act for no more than five years. Meanwhile, McGee was indicted on March 3, 2016, on five counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, who was her eight-year-old daughter. Her daughter tested positive for drugs on the same. The arrest warrant claimed, "The child tested positive for amphetamines, cannabinoids, and native THC (marijuana)." It also stated that her daughter was at "unreasonable risk of harm, affecting the child's life, physical or mental health or safety."
Woodard had a lengthy drug charge sheet and pleaded guilty to drug manufacture or possession in September 2015. Meanwhile, he was sentenced to 100 days in January 2016. The warrant also claimed that he had "several clear plastic bags of various size and weight that is consistent with distribution… the marijuana was pre-packaged in several clear plastic baggies….The marijuana was recovered from the defendant's during a frisk for weapons." He had also spent 72 days in jail in 2009 for his part in a burglary after he got into a store in East Main St, Lake City, with the help of his brother in 2016. The arrest warrant read, "The defendant and two co-defendants did unlawfully enter the business known as Downtown Fashions… the defendant and co-defendants did climb on the roof of the building and enter the store through the air ducts. Once inside, they placed several items of clothing and apparel into a white trash bag and attempted to leave the store. They were apprehended by patrol officers as they fled the area. The defendant… admitting his part in this incident."
Woodard's original sentence for third-degree burglary was no more than five years in the State Department of Corrections under South Carolina's Youthful Offenders Act. However, this period got deducted to 18 months on probation with 72 days of time served taken into account. He was also ordered to have weekly drug and alcohol tests for the first six months. Then he again landed in trouble as he stole goods with a value of less than $1,000. He admitted the offense in April 2010 and was sentenced to 180 days in the Florence County Detention Center. He again landed in trouble for the possession of marijuana in 2008.
What are the crimes committed by Zindell Brown?
Brown was accused of domestic violence in the first degree in July 2019. However, it was abandoned later on. The court claimed that "Brown attacked 'household member' Terrane Moore by 'wrapping a phone cord around her neck and strangling her with it, impeding her breathing and airflow, and causing lasting physical injuries."