Thomas Ravenel to report to Georgia prison

Former state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel has received his federal prison assignment and reporting date.

Ravenel is scheduled to report to the Federal Correctional Institution at Jesup, in southeastern Georgia, by noon May 29, his attorney confirmed Wednesday.

The reporting date came as Ravenel in March asked to report to prison early, giving up on an extension that would have kept him free for an additional five months.

His co-defendant and former cocaine supplier, Michael L. Miller, wanted to report early as well, though his assignment could not be confirmed. Traditionally, inmates request to be housed as close to home as space allows in the federal prison system.

During Ravenel's sentencing, U.S. District Judge Joseph Anderson Jr. had offered Ravenel a delay to give authorities more time to seal other Charleston cocaine cases with Ravenel's help. It also would give him an opportunity to seek a decrease in his 10-month sentence if officials demonstrated his contribution was significant.

Ravenel, 45, will continue to cooperate with authorities but was ready to report early to "put his life back together," his attorney, Bart Daniel, said earlier.

Jesup, which is about 65 miles from Savannah, is described as a medium-security facility for male offenders. It has two adjacent satellite facilities, including a low-security facility and a minimum-security prison camp.

Ravenel was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine. The Charleston resident shared the drug but did not sell it, authorities have said.

He also was ordered to pay $250,000 in fines and restitution, including to the state of South Carolina to cover the cost of the Legislature's special election last year to pick his successor.

Miller, 26, of Mount Pleasant, received a similar 10-month term for pleading to two drug charges.

Ravenel, a Republican elected in 2006, was indicted by a federal grand jury in June, ending his political career in the government drug probe.

Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.