South Carolina Woman Sentenced for Role in International Money Laundering, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy
ABINGDON, Va. – A Greenville, South Carolina woman, who was involved in a longtime romantic relationship with the leader of an extensive methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, was sentenced this week to 36 months in federal prison.
Lisa Yvonne Fleming Neely, 56, pled guilty in February 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering with the intent to promote the carrying on of a crime - specifically to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
According to court documents, in 2012, Neely began a romantic relationship with Joshua Desorcy while he was incarcerated. Upon his release from prison, Desorcy began selling methamphetamine in the Greenville, South Carolina area and Neely assisted him by wiring funds to various sources connected with a Mexican drug cartel.
Desorcy moved to Bristol, Virginia to expand his drug dealing business and Neely continued to support him by coordinating his travels to purchase massive amounts of methamphetamine from additional sources in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas.
When Desorcy was arrested in 2021, Neely conspired with him to threaten a co-conspirator into falsely claiming ownership of a firearm that was found in Desorcy’s possession. In addition, Neely not only continued to facilitate communications between the incarcerated Desorcy and his drug suppliers, but also organized additional shipments of methamphetamine into the Southwest Virginia area at his direction.
In February 2022, Desorcy was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division; United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh of the Western District of Virginia; and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Washington Field Division, and made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration's Washington Division and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Murphy prosecuted the case.
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