Marietta man, Travelers Rest woman plead guilty in oxycodone conspiracy

ANDERSON, S.C. – Nathan C. Johnson, age 51, of Marietta, and Patricia T. Brookshire, age 54, of Travelers Rest, pleaded guilty on Thursday in federal court in Anderson to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and other controlled substances, according to United States Attorney Bill Nettles.

Senior United States District Judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr., of Anderson, accepted the pleas and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

According to Nettles, evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration had undertaken a long-term investigation into the distribution of oxycodone in the Upstate of South Carolina. 

Nettles said that evidence presented at the change of plea hearing also established that on July 8, 2014, agents conducted a controlled purchase of 25 oxycodone pills from Cheryl Shipman, who pleaded guilty earlier this year. To fulfill the order, Shipman traveled to meet Johnson and was observed conducting a drug transaction with Johnson. 

Nettles said Brookshire’s role in the conspiracy was to provide Shipman with methadone for resale.  

Nettles stated the maximum penalty that Johnson and Brookshire can receive is a fine of $250,000 and/or imprisonment for 20 years, plus a special assessment of $100.

The case was investigated by agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Bill Watkins of the Greenville office handled the case.