Ex-Spartanburg County official sentenced for drugs

The Associated Press State & Local Wire, STATE AND REGIONAL
April 20, 2011

Spartanburg County, SC

A former Spartanburg County magistrate has been sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison for his role in a drug scandal that also involved a former clerk of court.

Authorities say John Truman Poole, Jr. was sentenced Tuesday on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. He had previously pleaded guilty.

Authorities say Poole, former court clerk Marcus Kitchens and a third man hatched a plan to take drugs from the Spartanburg County courthouse evidence room to Florida for sale. The third man drove the drugs to Florida in April 2009 and received $3,000, which was divided among the three.

An informant told agents about the sale. Marcus Kitchens has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison.

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