South Carolina man convicted of “peddling poison” in Houston County, sentenced to 15 years in prison

HOUSTON COUNTY — A South Carolina man will spend 15 years behind bars without parole in Houston County for drug possession. 

Demond Smith, 48, of Summerville, South Carolina, was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and possession of tools for the commission of a felony. 

According to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office, Smith will possibly be banished from Houston County upon his release. 

The case stemmed from a traffic stop made by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 30, 2025. Deputies stopped a Ford Maverick truck. A media release from the DA’s office said law enforcement did a lawful search of the vehicle and found pipes used for smoking, digital scales and a bag of 13.1 grams of methamphetamine, which was confirmed by the GBI. All four occupants of the vehicle were arrested, but law enforcement tied the possession of the items to Smith. The release said Smith had five prior convictions of distributing meth and cocaine in South Carolina. 

The case was investigated by Houston County Sheriff Deputies Justin West, Martelle Davis and Charles Wheeler. Smith was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lauren Fletcher and Megan Taylor, a third-year law student prosecutor. 

In a statement, Fletcher said methamphetamine distribution destroys lives, families and satisfies addictions. She said this sentence reflects what will happen if you “peddle this poison” in our community. 

Whether they are a resident or just passing through, Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards said in a statement that those who possess or traffic drugs in the county will be held responsible.