SCDC Inmate Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Role in Drug Conspiracy and Murder

Columbia, South Carolina --- Daniel Allen Shannon, 43, an inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, was sentenced to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The court also held Shannon responsible for his role in orchestrating the 2019 murder of a Kershaw man as a part of this conspiracy.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Shannon used contraband cellphones to coordinate the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine throughout Lancaster and Kershaw counties. After coming to believe that one of his drug couriers had been robbed, Shannon sent his associates to retaliate, and a Kershaw man was shot and killed in September of 2019. Shannon then ordered his co-conspirators to burn the residence where the murder occurred and dispose of the victim, whose body was discovered discarded alongside a highway in Westville, South Carolina.

Prosecutors presented evidence that, in addition to the drug trafficking and violence described above, showed Shannon also engaged in a “sextortion” scheme while incarcerated.

“This case illustrates the extreme danger posed by the presence of contraband cellphones in our prisons,” said United States Attorney Adair F. Boroughs. “We will not sit by as inmates use these phones to perpetrate violence, drug trafficking, sex crimes, and fraud, and will work with our federal and state partners to vigorously prosecute these offenders and protect the public.”

“This life sentence should serve as a warning, to anyone involved in heinous crimes such as the exploitation of children and drug trafficking, that you will be brought to justice and the punishment will be severe,” said Ronnie Martinez, special agent in charge for HSI Charlotte, which covers North and South Carolina. “HSI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities by disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations involved in these destructive and deadly activities.”

“This is yet another example of prisoners using contraband cellphones from behind state prison fences to continue committing crimes,” said Bryan Stirling, Director of the S.C. Department of Corrections.

At the time of his offense, Shannon was already serving a life sentence in the South Carolina Department of Corrections for the 2001 kidnapping, robbery, and murder of a Lexington restaurant manager.

Shannon was initially indicted on federal charges in February of 2022 and pleaded guilty in February of 2023.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Shannon to life in prison and recommended that he be incarcerated in one of two select high-security facilities within the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  Shannon will be transferred to federal prison only if and when he is ever released from custody in SCDC. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Schoen and Ben Garner prosecuted the case.

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