Not the first time: Strip search at county jail uncovers drugs between man's buttocks
A man's extensive criminal history landed him in prison for life after jailers found drugs between his buttocks during a strip search at the county jail. Officials said this was not the first time he tried this either.
On Friday, Sept. 25, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced the sentencing of 42-year-old Nevelle Shabarr Reid, who was found guilty of trafficking fentanyl, 4-14 grams, second offense, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, third offense.
"We have no problem with this career criminal spending the rest of his life behind bars" - 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo
Stumbo said the jury deliberated for just 19 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on both charges.
Police Told Him to Stop Calling 911 Without an Emergency
According to Stumbo, the charges stem from a March 17, 2026, incident in which Reid repeatedly called 911 claiming that people in vehicles were following him and that individuals were attempting to poke him with objects through walls.
Greenwood police investigated but found no evidence that Reid's claims were true. Officers then gave Reid a ride to a motel in an effort to help him settle down and warned him multiple times that he would be arrested if he continued calling 911 without an emergency. Despite the warning, Reid continued making calls and was subsequently arrested.
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Smuggling Drugs into the Detention Center
After arriving at the Greenwood County Detention Center, Reid went through an X-ray scanner that alerted detention center personnel to an object concealed near his groin.
Stumbo said a search revealed a clear plastic bag between Reid's buttocks. Reid became aggressive and refused to comply during the search, but officers managed to grab the bag. The bag contained approximately 5.16 grams of methamphetamine and 5.56 grams of fentanyl.
Investigators later obtained a recorded jail call in which Reid admitted that he needed to “stop selling drugs.”
Not the First Time
Authorities said this was not the first time Reid tried smuggling drugs into the detention center using this method; they said it was actually his third time.
Sentenced to Life in Prison
We are told that Reid represented himself during the trial at the Greenwood County Courthouse.
After Reid was found guilty, Circuit Judge Frank Addy sentenced Reid to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors sought this sentence under South Carolina's recidivist sentencing (three strikes) law due to Reid's extensive criminal history.
Reid was a Career Criminal
Stumbo said Reid’s criminal history spans more than two decades and includes multiple serious and violent offenses, including:
- Assault and battery with intent to kill
- Possession with intent to distribute marijuana within proximity of a park or school
- Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine
- First-degree domestic violence
- Distribution of methamphetamine
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
"Nevelle Reid has spent more than two decades repeatedly breaking our laws and peddling deadly drugs in our community, so we have no problem with this career criminal spending the rest of his life behind bars," Solicitor Stumbo said. "Our law enforcement officers put on the badge every day and work tirelessly to protect our citizens from people who have demonstrated repeatedly that they have no respect for our laws or the safety of our communities."