Daniel Mac Wentz, 46, of Blacksburg, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The sentencing follows a traffic stop by Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies on April 19, 2024, during which officers found Wentz in possession of 88 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm pistol. Investigators determined that Wentz was involved with a significant drug trafficking ring operating in the Upstate region.
Wentz has previous convictions for drug distribution as well as offenses including indecent exposure, assault and battery of an aggravated nature, assault with intent to kill, and multiple firearms violations.
United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins imposed a sentence of 120 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.
“This career criminal was part of a larger drug trafficking ring responsible for bringing substantial quantities of illegal drugs into the Upstate,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “Getting these drugs off of our streets and holding offenders like this accountable makes our communities safer.”
“This sentencing demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking and armed criminals,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant who also oversees North and South Carolina. “Daniel Wentz’s extensive criminal history and his role in methamphetamine distribution posed a significant threat to public safety. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to dismantle criminal networks and hold offenders accountable.”
The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling high-level drug traffickers and related criminal organizations through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies using intelligence-driven strategies (https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
The investigation involved several agencies: Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office; Greenville County Sheriff’s Office; Greenville Police Department; Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit; South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General; and Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen prosecuted the case.
