‘Meth cook’ sentenced to 15 years

A Waterloo man identified by prosecutors as a “longtime meth cook” was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday after being found guilty of manufacturing methamphetamines.

Roy Ellis Smith, 51, of Waterloo, was convicted for a third time of narcotics-related crimes by the Eighth Circuit Court. The jury took only an hour to return the guilty verdict before Judge Robin Stillwell announced Smith’s 15-year sentence.

“Meth has become a scourge in our society, destroying lives and ripping families apart,” said Eighth Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo. “Once again, our prosecutors and investigators were able to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to remove another longtime offender from our community. We will continue to pursue those like Roy Smith who have no regard for the law or their fellow citizens as long as they continue to peddle vile substances like meth on our streets.”

Smith was on probation from his second conviction for manufacturing meth last May when agents with South Carolina Department of Probation, Pardon and Parole Services received an anonymous tip that Smith was cooking math in a camper on Smith’s Village Road in Waterloo.

Agents went to the location and found Smith along with what appeared to be an active “one-pot” meth lab in a hidden compartment in the camper.

Sgt. Matt Veal, of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, responded and located the other components used in an active meth lab, such as coffee filters with residue and empty packages of cold medication. Veal also located four hypodermic needles containing a liquid which tested positive for methamphetamines.

Deputy Solicitor Dale Scott handled the case for the state with the assistance of Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office Investigator Walter Bentley.

Smith was represented by Greenwood attorney Rauch Wise.

Stumbo praised the work of his staff as well as SCDPPPS agents and Veal in securing the conviction.