FIVE CHARLESTON MEN HELD WITHOUT BOND IN COCAINE BUST

Five Charleston men who were arrested on cocaine trafficking charges will be held without bond, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

There are no guarantees that the defendants would appear in court or that the community would be safe if they were released on bond, said Lewis M. Blanton, U.S. magistrate judge.

They will be held in custody until their trials.

The five men are Jeramy L. Biles, 22; John J. Betts, 21; Woodrow Chapman Jr., 23; Brock E. Smith, 24; and Michael A. Cooper, 31.

Biles is charged with one count of distribution of over five grams of cocaine base and two counts of possession with intent to distribute.

Betts was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute over five grams of cocaine base and one count of cocaine distribution.

Chapman was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine, one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine and one count of distribution of five grams or more of cocaine.

Smith was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine, one count of distribution of 50 grams or more and two counts of distribution of five grams or more.

Cooper was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine and one count of distribution of 50 grams or more.

Charges involving 50 or more grams have punishment ranges between 10 years to life imprisonment plus a fine up to $4 million on each count. For five grams or more, punishments range between 5 and 40 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $2 million on each count.

Trial for Smith, Chapman, Cooper and Betts has been set for May 30. Biles will be tried separately on June 12.