A South Carolina man who gained viral fame after an image of himself purchasing 120 boxes of Girl Scout cookies was posted to Facebook was reportedly arrested days later in a federal drug bust.
According to WYFF, a woman who manages cookie sales for Greenville County Troop 1574 posted an image of Detric McGowan and two Scout members to Facebook Friday and said he initially gave them $40 dollars for cookies only to return and clear their stock.
“Then he came back to the table and said ‘pack up all of your cookies. I’m taking them all so y’all can get out of this cold.’ $540 he spent on cookies. What an amazing soul!!!!” the post reportedly read.
However, the feel-good story took a sobering turn Tuesday when the Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed McGowan was one of 11 people arrested in a drug conspiracy bust in Upland. Citing a 22-count federal grand jury indictment, the news station reported that the suspects are accused of conspiring to import narcotics—heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl—from Mexico and distribute them in South and North Carolina.
McGowan is facing a slew of charges, which include:
- conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances,
- conspiracy to import controlled substances,
- conspiracy to commit bulk cash smuggling ($1,004,665.00),
- interstate travel and transportation in aid of drug trafficking business,
- possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin,
- maintaining a drug-involved premise,
- conspiracy to structure transactions to evade reporting requirement;
- and unlawful use of a communication facility.
DEA resident agent Mike Rzepczynski told WSPA that McGowan’s arrest was connected to a federal drug investigation which began in September 2018. The agency said he was arrested at his home, where U.S. Marshals seized cash and other assets.
A bond hearing is scheduled for Friday. The Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands issued the following statement to WSPA Tuesday:
“Nobody was hurt. Nobody was threatened. We had no reason to believe that this man was anything other than one of our valuable customers that is helping Girl Scouts power awesome experiences through the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
This is now in the hands of law enforcement and of course we will cooperate with authorities.”
[Featured image: WLTX video screengrab]
