State v. Joseph M. Swaringen

Syllabus

Joseph Martin Swaringen appeals his conviction of trafficking methamphetamine more than twenty-eight grams, but less than one hundred grams, and the corresponding sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. On appeal, he argues the trial court erred in (1) failing to direct a verdict as to the trafficking charge because the substances in the four individual bags were commingled before testing; (2) holding the chain of custody was properly established; (3) failing to charge the lesser-included offense of simple possession of methamphetamine; (4) admitting the seized items into evidence when the officers handling the evidence failed to comply with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) regulations for handling evidence pursuant to section 44-53-485 of the South Carolina Code (2018); (5) failing to suppress the evidence found in the motorcycle saddlebag; and (6) failing to give the requested jury charge. We affirm.