GAFFNEY MAN RECEIVES 15-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CRACK COCAINE DEAL IN GREER

A Gaffney man received a 15-year prison sentence today after he attempted to sell nearly 17 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover informant for the Greer Police Department.

Steven James Landrum, 39, of 357 Cherokee Ridge Drive, pleaded guilty to third offense trafficking crack cocaine and resisting arrest moments before the start of his trial.

The drug deal occurred March 8, 2004 at a Wade Hampton Boulevard hotel. Landrum entered the hotel room about 10:30 p.m. and he weighed the crack on a small portable scale that he had in his possession. Police entered the room moments later and made the arrest. Landrum broke a window in the hotel room during his attempt to escape.

In addition to the drug cases, Landrum’s criminal record spans more than 20 years with convictions for assault and battery of a high an aggravated nature, lynching and assault on a police officer. Landrum will serve 85 percent of the new prison sentence before he is eligible for release.

“Steve Landrum has been a problem for a local law enforcement for a long time and I’m glad he is paying for it,” Assistant Solicitor Susan Reese said.