Upstate man sentenced 25 years for trafficking crack

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – An Upstate man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug charges following his trial in Spartanburg County.

An investigation was initiated in July 2022, officers with the Spartanburg Police Department responded to a call of an unconscious driver at the intersection of Drayton Road and Old Charlotte Road.

When officers arrived, they found McLean unresponsive in the driver's seat while the car was still running with the transmission in gear to drive. The front passenger window was completely rolled down.

Police said they saw an open container of liquor in plain sight.

After several attempts, officers were able to awaken McLean who then provided his driver's permit. It was determined the suspect was driving but his license had been suspended.

Authorities searched McLean and found a large amount of money and a brown bag filled with multiple small plastic bags of different substances. When weighed and tested, it was determined the suspect had a total of 60 grams of crack, 17 grams of cocaine, and over five grams of methamphetamine.

Officers also learned that McLean had a prior criminal history including convictions for possession with intent to distribute crack and possession with intent to distribute crack within a half-mile of school.

McLean received the jury's guilty verdicts and then issued his sentences Wednesday, Nov. 6 totaling to 25 years in prison.

All of the sentences shall be served concurrently according to officials.