Latest news with #SouthCarolinaLawEnforcementDivision
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Juvenile shot, killed at Pageland Watermelon Festival, police say
A teenager was shot and killed at the Pageland Watermelon Festival Friday night, according to police. Pageland Police released a statement early Saturday morning, sharing that a 17-year-old had been shot and killed at the Watermelon Festival on Friday night. 'Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young individual whose life was tragically lost,' said the Pageland Chief of Police. 'This is a heartbreaking event that deeply impacts our entire community.' All festivalgoers were sent home following the incident. READ: Decades later, daughter still seeks answers in Jane Bui's 1997 disappearance Police said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. The Town of Pageland said the festival will continue as scheduled on Saturday. Officials said they are working closely with law enforcement, and safety is a priority. The event will kick off Saturday with a parade at 10 a.m. It will conclude at 9 p.m. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with for updates. WATCH: Decades later, daughter still seeks answers in Jane Bui's 1997 disappearance
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spartanburg sheriff candidates offer views on diversity hiring, ICE enforcement
For the second time in five days, candidates for Spartanburg County Sheriff took part in a forum to make their pitch to voters. On July 15, they took the stage at C.C. Woodson Community Center for an event hosted by the Spartanburg NAACP. All nine candidates in the Republican primary, which will decide the election since no Democrats are running, were in attendance: Nick Duncan, Rusty Clevenger, Adam Crisp, Ric Stephens, Bill Rhyne, Robert Cheeks, Andy Clark, Randy Hollifield, and Joseph Pilato. Clevenger arrived late because of a prior speaking commitment. They are running to replace former Sheriff Chuck Wright, who resigned in May amid controversy and investigations by the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The forum covered much of the same ground that candidates discussed at a July 11 event sponsored by the Spartanburg County Republican Party. Key themes included pay for deputies, staff morale, transparency and accountability, community relationships, and overcrowding at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Candidates differ on the question about diversity The NAACP forum also provided some new insights. Candidates were asked about their views on hiring a diverse staff that reflects the county's demographic makeup. Most stressed that they would hire and promote officers based on merit. Duncan said he believes diversity can be 'beneficial' in a law enforcement agency, but said, 'I would make sure officers are qualified, not hired just because of their race.' Crisp said it's important for deputies to relate to diverse communities within the county, but that he wouldn't hire officers 'because of the color of their skin. That stuff is over.' Pilato gave the example of a patient undergoing surgery. 'You'd want the best surgeon,' he said. 'You don't want it to be a DEI situation.' Rhyne added that if he becomes sheriff, hiring will be based 'solely on merit and qualifications.' Cheeks offered a different perspective. He previously served as supervisor of the sheriff's office's gang unit. He said that in working with young people who are in or have been affected by gangs, 'sometimes having an officer who looks like you can matter.' Clark and Clevenger each stated that they would work to build a team that reflects the county's increasingly diverse population. 'The sheriff's office should look like the community,' Clark said. Stephens added, 'I will build up staff numbers with other ethnic groups. And I'll try to go into those communities to do it.' Former police chief Tony Fisher offers perspective Former City of Spartanburg Police Chief Tony Fisher was in the audience at C.C. Woodson. Fisher, who is Black, was intrigued by the discussion of diversity in law enforcement. He said it's not a matter of hiring officers simply because of the color of their skin – it's that a diverse staff can build relationships throughout the community and ultimately be more effective. Fisher said a law enforcement agency lacking diversity is comparable to 'a bank that wants to make loans in a Hispanic community but none of the loan officers know Spanish.' Fisher, who served as police chief from 1995 to 2022, said he might endorse a candidate but was not yet ready to do so. 'I think all the candidates expressed sincerity in wanting to work with the community,' he said. He added that he hopes voters will consider the candidates' 'experience in a leadership role' and assess their ability to 'organize a team in a major event.' Candidates say why their experience matters The candidates touted their resumes as they made their case for the county's top law enforcement role. Duncan discussed his years working for the sheriff's office and his willingness to take on Wright in the 2024 Republican primary. Crisp also worked as a sheriff's deputy. He now serves on the Lyman Town Council and touted his leadership in pushing through a pay increase for Lyman's police officers. Pilato urged voters to consider his perspective as an outsider. He served in law enforcement in Texas and Florida before joining the City of Spartanburg Police Department. Stephens has experience working in Europe as an organized crime investigator. He said he has 'no friends' in the sheriff's office and promised to bring an end to what he described as 'this good ol' boy mess going on.' Rhyne worked as a sheriff's deputy before joining the South Carolina Highway Patrol, where he led statewide public information and community relations efforts. Hollifield went to work in the sheriff's office in 1982. He served in various leadership positions, including as a member of the command staff at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Clevenger currently serves as the Spartanburg County Coroner. He was first elected to the position in 2008. He previously worked as a sheriff's deputy. Cheeks has been in law enforcement since 2010. He recently served as 1st Lieutenant over the Uniform Patrol Division with the sheriff's office. Clark has served in both the sheriff's office and the City of Spartanburg Police Department. He pointed to his experience working in urban neighborhoods surrounding the C.C. Woodson Center. Candidates discuss immigration enforcement As in the Republican Party-sponsored debate, the topic of immigration and ICE was discussed. While candidates' promises to support the work of ICE were applauded at the GOP event, the July 15 audience was less enthusiastic. 'As far as partnering with ICE – yes, we're going to partner a thousand percent,' Crisp said, drawing jeers from some in attendance. ICE has drawn criticism for what some Americans view as overly aggressive tactics in support of President Trump's plans for mass deportation of illegal immigrants. 'The media has been sensationalizing a lot of things taking place,' Rhyne said. He believes most ICE activity has been aimed at 'getting illegal aliens who are posing a direct threat. We have to make sure we are protecting people.' Cheeks said he would partner with ICE on illegal immigration crackdowns but would work to ensure that 'we afford everybody the opportunity for due process.' Stephens said he'd support ICE in targeting illegal immigrants but that he would review the agency's work if Spartanburg County residents were arrested. He said it's not uncommon for immigrants here legally to have trouble producing the correct paperwork at a moment's notice. There can be mix-ups on the part of enforcement officers. 'Please don't think they don't make mistakes,' Stephens said. Primary later this summer The Republican Party primary will be held on August 5. If necessary, a runoff will take place on August 19. There will also be a Republican primary to nominate a candidate for Spartanburg County Council District 3, which became open in May after longtime council member David Britt took a position with the state Public Service Commission. The winner of the Republican nomination for County Council will face Democrat Kathryn Harvey, a Spartanburg native and businesswoman, and Sarah Gonzalez, of the Forward Party. A special election is set for November 4. This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg sheriff candidates offer views on diversity hiring, ICE Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
Two men facing state charges in ongoing investigation into unsanctioned Charleston County nightclub
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Two men are now facing state-level alcohol, weapons, and narcotics charges in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal activity at an unsanctioned nightclub in Charleston County. Multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at the Alamo club on Highway 78 around 3 a.m. on June 1, which resulted in the arrests of 80 people, including two alleged high-level cartel members and one person wanted in an international murder investigation. Warrants provided June 6 by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicate that further investigation in the aftermath of what has been called 'Operation Last Stand' has resulted in additional charges against two individuals. Benjamin Reyna Flores, 59, was charged with Sale of Alcohol by an Unlicensed Person, Unlawful Storage of Alcoholic Liquors, Unlawful Sale of Liquor and Unlawful Sale of Beer. Terone Lavince Lawson, 44, was charged with Possession of Psilocybin MushroomsPossession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine and two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Crimes. The warrants state that Lawson was working as a security guard at the nightclub at the time of the raid, and that drugs and weapons were found in his vehicle. Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a June 2 press conference that the agency had been monitoring the unlicensed club since November 2024. Immigration advocates say Charleston County sting operation unfairly targeted Latinos and Hispanics Authorities said seven people believed to be victims of human trafficking were discovered inside the club during the raid, as well as a missing juvenile. More than 70 people who were taken into custody were believed to be in the country illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency also claimed the club was run by a suspected member of Los Zetas, a Mexican drug cartel. But few details surrounding who exactly was swept up in the operation have raised concerns of racial profiling among some in the Hispanic and Latino communities, with immigration advocates calling for more transparency. 'Many of us are too afraid to speak up — not because we're guilty, but because we fear retaliation,' Alejandar Delaveea said in a June 6 press conference. 'Because we don't have legal status. Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time is treated like a crime — even if it's your first offense. If living life is a crime, then I guess I'm guilty… but one thing I won't be is silent.' The investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
South Carolina man pleads guilty to shooting at police during Carolina Country Music Fest in 2023
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — A South Carolina man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to shooting at police during 2023's Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach, the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office said. Chance Benson, 20, of Spartanburg, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, first-degree assault and battery, and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. Circuit Court Judge David P. Caraker sentenced Benson to 10 years in prison. Police responded to a call about individuals brandishing guns at about 11 p.m. on June 10, 2023, according to the solicitor's office. When officers arrived, Benson and a co-defendant ran from a police vehicle. When police found them, Benson and his co-defendant fired almost 30 shots at officers with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the solicitor's office said. One officer was shot during the incident but has since recovered. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
14 agencies carry out targeted sting operation on unsanctioned nightclub, arresting ‘high-level' cartel members
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Federal, state, and local agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at an unsanctioned nightclub in Ladson. 14 agencies approached The Alamo around 3 a.m. on June 1, as part of 'Operation Last Stand.' These include the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and more. Sheriff Carl Ritchie said they have been monitoring the club since November 2024. 'This particular location has been a source of a lot of disruption, crime, assaults, drug dealing etc. going on in that particular area,' said Ritchie. 116 criminal and immigration warrants were served to 80 people. There over 60 people believed to be in the country illegally, who were detained. The multi-agency effort allowed for the arrest of two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect wanted by Interpol. Governor Henry McMaster said this is why he believes stricter border policies are necessary. 'One way it happened is when you don't have strong law enforcement, this is what happens. When particularly, in these cases now, that we're going to have now and for years to come when we have illegal immigration,' McMaster said. 'People with criminal backgrounds, people that bet on causing trouble that are recognized – some as terrorists, that are allowed to come through a completely open border. This is what you get.' The governor added this operation was an example of a coordinated approach of these agencies working to enforce the laws under President Donald Trump. With over 200 patrons in the building, law enforcement also discovered seven people believed to be human trafficking victims and a missing juvenile. Officials said there were 10 underage minors in the building, with the youngest of them being 13 years old. Additionally, Charleston County code enforcement has shut down the unlicensed club. 'I'm very proud of what agencies did in that operation. I was there, very long day, but I was with them to see what these men and women do and supported them,' the sheriff said. 'I'm very proud we got this type of element out of our community. We made it safe for some of our young people and we're going to continue working on that.' Enrique Grace, president of the Charleston Hispanic Association, told News 2 he is grateful for the transparency from CCSO. 'The Hispanic community is applauding what happened. The Hispanic community and the immigrant community doesn't want criminals in their backyard, that's kind of why they left the country – they are coming here. We applaud what happened, that place has been around for a long time, I guess nobody knew what was going on in there. We're pretty happy that the bad guys are off the street,' Grace said. This is an ongoing investigation. Those with information about The Alamo are encouraged to call 803-896-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
