LANCASTER, S.C. — An Indian Land man who dumped a murder victim’s body along a highway was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, after pleading guilty to federal gun and drug offenses.
Shannon Layne Myers, 40, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, four counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine or heroin, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Court evidence found that Meyers was helping lead a drug operation in Lancaster and Kershaw counties. The operation was being led by Daniel Shannon, who was serving a life sentence in the S.C. Department of Corrections.
Shannon, who believed one of his drug couriers was robbed, sent one of his associates to retaliate, leading to the death of Cletis “Eddie” Baker Jr. in September 2019. He then sent Myers to clean up the scene, and Myers discarded the body alongside a highway in Westville, about 16 miles north of Camden.
“Inmates with illegal contraband cell phones are the biggest threat to public safety in America, and this is another tragic example,” said Bryan Stirling, director of the S.C. Department of Corrections. “We need a permanent solution to remove this menace from society and make our communities safer.”
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and agents with Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant in November 2019 at Myers’ home on Doby’s Bridge Road in Indian Land. They found over 700 grams of methamphetamine, smaller quantities of heroin and other drugs, cash, scales, drug ledgers and several loaded firearms.
Myers was arrested, but released on bond in spring 2020. After his release, he and his associates went back to dealing drugs.
Another search warrant in June 2020 found additional drugs, scales and a loaded gun at Myers’ home.
Myers pleaded guilty to all charges the day before he was scheduled for trial in October 2023. Shannon also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in federal prison in June 2023.
“These defendants operated without regard for life or the law,” said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “Illegal drug trafficking rings like this jeopardize the health and safety of our community.”
U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Myers to 360 months imprisonment and a five-year term of court-ordered supervision to follow. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This lengthy sentence highlights the severity of Myers’ actions and their impact on the community,” said Kyle Burns, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Charlotte. “HSI is committed to holding those accountable who recklessly distribute their poison into our communities.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the S.C. Carolina Department of Corrections-Office of Inspector General and the Lancaster County and Kershaw County sheriff’s offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Schoen, Everett McMillan and Ben Garner prosecuted the case.
