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Jerry Rivers pleaded guilty to a slew of money laundering, fraud and drug charges in front of Judge Clifton Newman today.
State prosecutor Johnny James says Rivers’ drug deals went down during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
That’s when the Walterboro native sold a large quantity of pills to Eddie Smith who in turn gave it to his “cousin” Murdaugh.
The State says Rivers profited as much as $40 dollars for every pill he sold to Smith, in all collecting more than 16 checks from Smith totaling $88 thousand dollars
The last check came in on Sept 3, 2021, just one day before the alleged botched suicide plot on the side of the road with Smith and Murdaugh.
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In addition, Rivers told Judge Newman he became addicted to the oxy pills while dealing with large quantities for Murdaugh’s addiction.
Newman’s compassion was on full display today. He read a letter written by Rivers’ aunt who begged for mercy for her wayward nephew. During the letter, Rivers started to cry.
Newman agreed to modify Rivers’ bond and release him to a drug rehabilitation program while he awaited sentencing.
Rivers faces 5 to 20 years for his crimes, which included fraudulent Covid-19 unemployment payments and other bogus loans investigators discovered while looking into Rivers’ link to Murdaugh.
Rivers’ sentencing will take place in Colleton County at a later date.
Thursday, another piece of the puzzle fell into place in the on-going criminal saga tied to Alex Murdaugh.This time, state prosecutors establish the link betwee
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