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ORDER

Petitioner has been charged with trafficking in cocaine in violation of S.C.Code Ann. § 44-53-370(e)(2)(b)(l)(Supp.2000), *40trafficking in methamphetamine. in violation of S.C.Code Ann. § 44-53-375(C)(l)(a) (Supp.2000), and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of S.C.Code Ann. § 44-53-370(b)(2)(Supp.2000). The Office of Disciplinary Counsel has filed a petition asking the Court to place respondent on interim suspension pursuant to Rule 17(a), RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, because he has been charged with a serious crime. The petition also seeks appointment of an attorney to protect the interests of respondent’s clients pursuant to Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR.

IT IS ORDERED that the petition is granted and respondent is suspended from the practice of law in this State until further order of this Court.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that William B. Darwin, Jr., Esquire, is appointed to assume responsibility for respondent’s client files, trust account(s), escrow account(s), operating accounts), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain. Mr. Darwin shall’take action as required by Rule 31, RLDE, Rule 413, SCACR, to protect the interests of respondent’s clients. Mr. Darwin may make disbursements from respondent’s trust aecount(s), escrow account(s), operating account(s), and any other law office accounts respondent may maintain that are necessary to effectuate this appointment.

This Order,- when served on any bank or other financial institution maintaining trust, escrow and/or operating accounts) of respondent, shall serve as an injunction to prevent respondent from making withdrawals from the account(s) and shall further serve as notice to the bank or other financial institution that William B. Darwin, Jr., Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court.

Finally, this Order, when served on any office of the United States Postal Service, shall serve as notice that William B. Darwin, Jr., Esquire, has been duly appointed by this Court and has the authority to receive respondent’s mail and the authority to direct that respondent’s mail be delivered to Mr. Darwin’s office.

/s/ Jean H, Toal, C.J.

FOR THE COURT

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How this case has been treated — in progress