Investigators locate guns and drugs in Hartsville
On October 26, Darlington County Sheriff’s Investigators were in the Hartsville area following leads into a recent shooting at the Cambridge Apartments in Lamar. At 8:30 p.m., Investigators attempted to stop the driver of a vehicle on Hartland Dr. in Hartsville. The driver of the vehicle and a passenger attempted to flee on foot in a wooded area. With the assistance of a K-9 Deputy, Deputies were able to quickly apprehend Demaize Rashad Benjamin, 33, of Florence and Jeremy Jay Smith, 31, of Columbia.
Inside the vehicle, Deputies discovered approximately 4 pounds of marijuana, 10 pills believed to be Ecstasy, a loaded Glock model 22 .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine, a loaded Sierra .38 caliber revolver, a loaded Keltec .380 handgun, a loaded SCCY 9mm handgun, more than $2,500 cash, weight scales and numerous cell phones. In 2005, Smith pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a violent crime, according to public records. Information concerning charges will be released as the information becomes available.
