An Anderson man with an extensive criminal record is heading to the South Carolina Department of Corrections for 12 years after entering a guilty plea, announced 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.
Fernandus Mandez Allen, 54, pleaded guilty last week to one count of trafficking in fentanyl and two counts of trafficking in methamphetamine. Circuit Judge R. Scott Sprouse sentenced Allen to twelve (12) years in prison for the three (3) separate crimes.
On November 11, 2024, Officers had outstanding arrest warrants for Allen in hand when they located him at a Days Inn in Anderson. When he was placed under arrest, Allen had a small quantity of methamphetamine in his pocket, and informed officers there were more drugs in the hotel room he was occupying. A further search of that room uncovered approximately twenty-nine (29) grams of methamphetamine.
On July 29, 2025, Allen was stopped for a traffic violation in Anderson County. Officers became suspicious Allen was committing more than traffic offenses, and a canine officer was called to the scene. The canine alerted on Allen’s car, and a subsequent search of the vehicle located over five (5) grams of fentanyl.
On October 28, 2025, narcotics officers executed a search warrant at an apartment on Clemson Boulevard where they located Allen in possession of over twenty (20) grams of methamphetamine. Allen has a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
Assistant Solicitor Mary Holahan prosecuted the case for the state. Solicitor Black praised the work of his team and narcotics investigators for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in bringing Allen to justice. “This conviction is the result of the hard work law enforcement is doing to stop the flow of this poison in our communities” Black stated, “and we will continue making sure that hard work translates to convictions and prison sentences like this one.”