Taylor

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Clark

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NEWBERRY COUNTY — A man and woman from North Carolina were arrested on multiple drug charges after a Newberry County deputy spotted their vehicle behind a restaurant on S.C. 34 last week.

Stephen Everett Taylor, 27, 2401 Davis Mills Road in Deep Run, N.C., and Bridgette Danielle Clark, 22, 6313 Washington St. in La Grange, were charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Taylor was also charged with possession of an unlawful weapon.

Taylor’s bond was set at $47,370 with $27,370 being cash/surety while Clark received a $45,870 cash/surety bond. Both remained in the Newberry County Detention Center on Tuesday.

The pair was arrested Jan. 28 after a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office spotted a silver vehicle in a parking area behind a restaurant in the area of S.C. 34 and Tom Griffin Road. The driver exited the vehicle in an erratic manner and was acting suspicious. The pair then moved the vehicle to a non-designated parking area not far from where they had been parked.

As the deputy initiated an investigatory stop and approached the vehicle, the driver exited the vehicle in an aggressive manner and moved toward the deputy, who detained him for questioning.

The deputy smelled a strong smell of marijuana and saw a handgun in the driver-side door pocket. The deputy secured the handgun.

Deputies searched Taylor and Clark, finding marijuana, cocaine, pills, crystal methamphetamine, over $4,000 in cash, and a handgun.

“We work to combat drugs in the community at every level,” Sheriff Lee Foster said. “It takes an entire community to make this happen. We take that responsibility seriously in partnering with the community and it is our aim to seek out those who continue to oppose that standard.”

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The Newberry Police department reported the following incidents:

• Alphonso Collins, 51, of 583 99 Road, Blair, was charged Feb. 7 with shoplifting after an officer responded to a shoplifting call at Walmart. An employee saw Collins remove a shopping bag from his pocket, place merchandise into the bag and then attempt to exit the store. After being made aware of his Miranda rights Collins stated that he did not intend to steal anything but was instead attempting to locate a friend outside who was to pay for the merchandise. He also said he brought shopping bags with him to avoid using a cart. The merchandise in question was various shrimp and scallop products totalling $36.04.

• Jesica Nicole Sligh, 26, of 928 Gray St., Newberry, was charged Jan. 24 with driving under suspension and possession of crack cocaine after an anonymous complainant reported that a white Nissan Maxima with a Georgia license plate nearly struck him then proceeded to head toward Nance Street. An officer located the vehicle and followed it until it pulled into a driveway on Caldwell Street. The officer approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Sligh. A run of Sligh’s information revealed that her license was under suspension and 3.7 grams of crack cocaine was found in the driver’s side map pocket when the vehicle was searched.

• Corey Dupree Hall, 32, of 1604 Indian Land Drive, Newberry, was charged Feb. 2 with drug equipment violations, driving under suspension and and expired tag after an officer on patrol noticed that the tag on a 2005 Chevy Malibu had expired and initiated a traffic stop. After the officer asked if Hall’s vehicle contained any illegal items Hall handed over a set of electronic scales. A search revealed no other illegal items. Hall was released at the scene.

• Delshun Anthony Turner, 35, of 510 Wise St., Newberry, was charged Feb. 7 with drunkenness. While on patrol an officer noticed a man stumbling in the roadway. The officer spoke with the man, identified as Turner, and smelled a strong odor of alcohol on his person. Upon running his information the officer learned that Turner had a bench warrant out for his arrest. Turner was cited for public intoxication.

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The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents:

• Emma Kay Sease, 18, of 2309 College St. in Newberry, was charged Jan. 28 with possession of a weapon after her purse and bookbag were searched by Raid Corp at Newberry High School. Sease said a boxcutter found in her purse was used for her job, and she forgot it was in her purse. During the same search at Newberry High School, a machete was found in a car that belonged to a 15-year-old male.

• Jeffrey Kelvin Cannon, 26, of 315 Albert St., Batesburg, was charged Jan. 30 with driving under the influence and open container after officers clocked Cannon’s car going 84 mph in a 55 mph zone on SC 121. Once officers stopped the vehicle, Cannon got out of the vehicle but was ordered back into the vehicle and placed into investigative detention. Officers could smell alcohol coming from Cannon. A broken bottle of beer and an empty can of beer were found in the front floorboard on the passenger side. Cannon admitted to having two or three beers. Officers attempted to conduct a sobriety test, but Cannon would not pay attention. Officers took Cannon to the Detention Center where they tried to conduct a breath test, but Cannon refused.

• Desmond Shumond Durant, 27, of 468 Lowville, Whitmire, was charged Jan. 30 with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after he was stopped at a checkpoint near Wilson Road. Officers smelled marijuana in his vehicle and found a small bag containing marijuana, a tobacco grinder containing the remains of marijuana and a partially smoked marijuana cigarette during a search.

• Cody James Vick, 21, of 2710 Fair Ave. #216, Newberry, was charged Jan. 31 with possession of drug paraphernalia during a public safety checkpoint at Old Whitmire Road and Folk Road. Officers smelled marijuana coming from Vick’s vehicle. Officers asked him if he had anything in the vehicle and Vick said he had a grinder for marijuana and a makeshift bong made out of a soda bottle. Officers confiscated the paraphernalia. Vick was issued a ticket and advised of his court date.

• Keith Dariun Carter, 18, of 311 Blue Heron Court in Columbia, and Trevale Hays, 18, of 16 Lee Ridge Court in Columbia, were charged Jan. 31 with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after they were stopped for making an illegal turn as they approached a checkpoint near Folk Road in Newberry. Once officers got the car stopped, they could smell marijuana. Carter told the officers they had come from a party where they smoked marijuana. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded handgun and a revolver with an obliterated serial number in the glove box, and a .22-caliber revolver behind the rear seat that was also loaded and had an obliterated serial number. The handgun had been reported stolen in Richland County. A juvenile in the car showed officers a cup that contained the guts of a tobacco cigar and two portions of partially burned cigars containing marijuana. The juvenile was released to a parent. Officers also were told Carter’s driver’s license was suspended and he was charged with driving under suspension.

• Charles Logan Higgins, 19, of 370 Federal Lane, Prosperity, was charged Feb. 2 with simple possession of marijuana after a Raid Corp drug dog conducting a drug and weapons search at Mid-Carolina High School alerted on Higgins’ car. Marijuana, 83 empty packs of Cigarillos, a clear water bottle containing a small amount of red substance, three lighters, two shotgun shells and a bottle of Clear Eyes redness relief were found. The dog also alerted on a vehicle belonging to a 15-year-old male. The assistant principal found marijuana and 50 used shotgun shells. The juvenile was charged with simple possession of marijuana.

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NEWBERRY — Circuit Court Judge Donald Hocker accepted the following guilty pleas during a recent session of General Sessions Court:

• Gustavo Zamora Popoca, 39, of 344 Wren Road, Newberry, vehicle/forging, altering, counterfeiting of title, or license, three years in prison, suspended, two years probation, concurrent with cocaine possession first offense.

• Carol Tremayne Washington, 32, of 205 Bell Street Circle, Clinton, criminal misconduct with a minor under 11, first degree, 25 years in prison, credit 266 days, placed on sexual offender registry.

• Carmona Enrique Blasco, 55, of 13 Buttonwood Drive, Key Largo, Fla., possession with intent to distribute marijuana, five years in prison, suspended, service of one day, probation for three years, credit for one day served.

• Raven Natara Clark, 25, of 60 Parker Drive A, Prosperity, possession of a controlled substance first offense, four days in county detention, credit for four days, time served.

• Marcelius Eugene Jeter, 25, of 350 Granite Lane, Winnsboro, drug manufacturing, possession of other substance, 15 days in county detention , credit for 15 days served.

• Brandon Davis Jarnagin, 30, of 4000½ College St., Newberry, possession of cocaine first offense, 29 days in county detention, credit for 29 days served; criminal domestic violence, 29 days, credit for 29 days served, consecutive.

• Alexander Kade Lanier, 20, 1804 Indian Land Apts., Newberry, possession of less than one gram of meth first offense, three years in prison, suspended, two days, probation for two years, credit for time served two days.

• Ukeba Armoni Praylow, 18, of 3644 Elmwood Circle, Newberry, assault and battery third degree, 30 days county detention, credit for 30 days time served.

• Robert Kevin Rowe, 47, of 3233 Nance St., Newberry, burglary second degree, 50 months in prison, credit for 86 days served.

• Myron Najee Davian Smoot, 19, of 385 Inez Chaplin Road, Newberry, breach of peace, sentenced under Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years, suspended, probation for one year.

• Darius D. Worthy, 25, address not listed, assault and battery second degree, three years in prison, suspended, probation for nine months.

• Cleo Junior Caldwell III, 34, of 3269 Mt. Pilgrim Church Road, Prosperity, possession of less than one gram meth or cocaine base, three years in prison, suspended, 29 days, probation for one year, credit for 29 days served.

• Kelvin Kahlili Davenport, 19, of 927 Langford St., Newberry, assault and battery third degree, 21 days county detention, credit for 21 days served.

• Michael Seth Horton, 25, of 2741 Hwy 66, Whitmire, domestic violence third degree under Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years, suspended, probation for nine months.

Theia McArdle, right, sits alongside her public defender Charles Verner during pre-trial motions on Monday at the Newberry County Courthouse. McArdle is standing trial on a charge of murder by child abuse in the death of her 3-year-old son in December 2014.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_McArdle.jpgTheia McArdle, right, sits alongside her public defender Charles Verner during pre-trial motions on Monday at the Newberry County Courthouse. McArdle is standing trial on a charge of murder by child abuse in the death of her 3-year-old son in December 2014. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

Justin Holmes testified on Tuesday that he solicited the services of Theia McArdle the evening McArdle’s son was taken to Newberry County Memorial Hospital and later died. Holmes said he did not know that McArdle’s son or her boyfriend had traveled to Newberry with her.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Holmes.jpgJustin Holmes testified on Tuesday that he solicited the services of Theia McArdle the evening McArdle’s son was taken to Newberry County Memorial Hospital and later died. Holmes said he did not know that McArdle’s son or her boyfriend had traveled to Newberry with her. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY — The third day of the trial against Theia Darion McArdle, the Spartanburg mother charged with murder by child abuse in the 2014 death of her 3-year-old son, was expected to continue today at the Newberry County Courthouse.

Circuit Court Judge Frank Addy from Greenwood is presiding over the trial.

Jury selection was held Monday and a jury seated after about three hours. The jury is made up of four men and eight women and a male alternate. Pre-trial motions were also heard Monday.

Solicitor David Stumbo and Assistant Solicitor Taylor Daniel from the Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office are prosecuting the case. McArdle, 23, is being defended by Charles Verner, a public defender.

Daniel, in his opening statement, charged the jury with a quote from 18th century French philosopher Voltaire: “To the living we owe respect but to the dead we owe only the truth.”

Among those expected to testify Wednesday are Patrice McArdle, the defendant’s mother, and Richard Bowman, the defendant’s live-in boyfriend. Bowman is scheduled to be tried on the same charges at a later date.

Verner asserted in his opening statements that Bowman was 100 percent at fault saying, “It is medically impossible for Theia to have inflicted the fatal blow.”

McArdle, a resident of Spartanburg County, was working as an escort at the time of the incident. Information provided during pre-trial motions indicated that she previously had been accused of child abuse on several occasions with only one conviction. The judge ruled that the information could not be used by the prosecution.

According to previous reports, Bowman carried the body of an unresponsive Gabriel McArdle, 3, into the lobby of the Newberry County Memorial Hospital emergency room around 1:35 a.m. Dec. 30, 2014, and medical staff immediately began attempting to resuscitate the child.

ER physician Dr. Duncan Holaday worked on the child for roughly 30 minutes to no avail and at 2:06 a.m., Gabriel McArdle was officially pronounced dead.

Holaday testified Tuesday, however, that it was his opinion that the youth was dead upon arrival. “No activity of any kind,” Holaday said. “He was cold.”

In addition to numerous bruises across the body, Holaday testified that he noted a large amount of vomit around the child’s mouth which was no longer in liquid form but had congealed, suggesting some time had elapsed between when the child died and when he was brought to the ER.

However, Holaday said the exact amount of time is nearly impossible to determine.

Although Holaday testified that many of the injuries the youth sustained would have almost certainly led to his eventual death, the pathologist’s report concluded the cause of death to be severe trauma to the cranium.

Based on the nature of this injury, Gabriel might have survived for roughly 30 minutes following that blow.

Holaday testified that it was likely the boy had been dead less than two hours before he was taken to the hospital. It can therefore be inferred the death occurred less than two hours but more than 30 minutes before the child was brought in for medical attention.

To give a more detailed picture of the events surrounding the time window, the state called to the stand Justin Holmes, a Newberry resident who had ordered Theia McArdle’s services on the evening of Dec. 29 after finding her profile on an online escort site.

Holmes said the two exchanged several phone calls and that McArdle arrived at his residence at approximately 12:22 a.m. Dec. 30.

Holmes testified that he had no knowledge Bowman or the child were in the car McArdle arrived in and believed McArdle to be alone. Holmes said McArdle left his home between 1 a.m. and 1:15 a.m.

This testimony established a minimum of 20 minutes that elapsed before the youth was brought to the hospital — 2.2 miles from Holmes’s residence.

State witness Lisa Frick testified that she was working registration in the ER on the night of the incident and said it took McArdle two minutes to enter the ER following the arrival of her son. Ordinarily, she said, mothers are frantic and extremely concerned in these situations but Frick testified that McArdle did not appear distressed.

Both Officer Allison Moore of the Newberry Police Department and Agent Kellie Williams of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division testified to McArdle’s unusual emotional condition when they interviewed her after foul play became suspected.

“She appeared to be a little upset but not too much,” Moore said.

Holaday said he consoled McArdle following the declaration of her child’s death and testified, “I didn’t ask a lot of questions, she didn’t ask a lot of questions.”

Typically, Holaday said, parents are “frantic” upon entering the ER. He described a hypothetical scene of a speeding vehicle spotting the lit-up ER sign, pulling in directly in front of the doorway and rushing inside, screaming for help.

“Mayhem,” he called it.

In the instance of the death of Gabriel McArdle, however, there was none of this.

In fact, after Bowman carried the child inside, McArdle parked the car “easily 700 feet” away from the ER entrance, according to the testimony of SLED investigator Patrick Oliphant, adding it was in the wee hours of the morning and the parking lot was far from full.

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NEWBERRY COUNTY — A body was found on the right of way of U.S. 176 near Molly’s Rock Park early Monday morning.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said this morning that crime scene units were on the way to the site to determine the identity of the person and to determine the cause of death. He could provide no other details.

According to a Nixle alert issued just after 9 a.m., a motorist found the body. Deputies with the NCSO responded along with EMS and Rescue personnel and determined that the person was dead.

U.S. 176 was closed from Mt. Bethel Garmany Road to S.C. 121/Brazelman’s Bridge Road and no traffic was being allowed through.

During the initial investigation on Monday, authorities closed off US 176 from Mt. Bethel Garmany Road to SC 121/Brazelman’s Bridge Road to secure evidence and for the safety of investigating officers.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_DSC_0786.jpgDuring the initial investigation on Monday, authorities closed off US 176 from Mt. Bethel Garmany Road to SC 121/Brazelman’s Bridge Road to secure evidence and for the safety of investigating officers. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY COUNTY — The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of Jesse Sanders, a well-known resident of Whitmire.

Sanders’ body was discovered on a grassy shoulder near Molly’s Rock Park just after 7 a.m. Monday by a motorist traveling on U.S. 176.

Newberry County Coroner Craig Newton ruled the death a homicide after the autopsy revealed Sanders, 62, had been shot multiple times. Sheriff Lee Foster said they will not release the number of times Sanders was shot, or where, citing the integrity of the investigation.

Foster said they were able to identify Sanders because a number of employees of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office are from Whitmire and knew him. Sanders was a funeral director for a funeral home in Clinton, and interacted with many people in Whitmire.

“We were primarily able to identify him because of the number of good employees we have from Whitmire, he (Sanders) is a familiar person from Whitmire,” Foster said. “Most people that have lived in Whitmire and are a part of the community, would know who he was.”

After investigators believed they had an ID, they went to Sanders’ home on Byrd Street in Whitmire. Once inside the residence, investigators discovered signs of a struggle throughout the home.

“Forensic evidence is currently being processed, but that takes a while to analyze,” Foster said.

Foster said it appears the incident began inside the home and he was taken to the U.S. 176 location. The distance from Sanders’ home to the location he was found is roughly 10 miles.

“Over the years, that has been a popular place to dispose of bodies, I have known four in the last 25 years,” Foster said. “The reason why, it is a very remote area.”

Foster said there are no suspects at this time but investigators are certain there are witnesses who can help.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at 803-321-2211, www.newberrycountysheriff.com or call Crime Stoppers of the Midlands at 1-888-CRIMESC.

A reward to being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

Michael Saheem Spears, of 222 Reid St. in Aiken, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Jesse Sanders of Whitmire.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_spears.jpgMichael Saheem Spears, of 222 Reid St. in Aiken, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Jesse Sanders of Whitmire. Courtesy photo

NEWBERRY COUNTY — A 22-year-old Aiken man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Whitmire man whose body was found Monday morning off U.S. 176.

Michael Saheem Spears, of 222 Reid St. in Aiken, was arrested Wednesday in Aiken and charged with driving a vehicle that had been stolen in Orangeburg. He was also charged with two counts of receiving stolen goods, one of which was for goods valued at more $10,000,

Jesse O. Sanders, 62, was shot multiple times and his body dumped off U.S. 176 near Molly’s Rock Park. A motorist saw the body early Monday morning and called police.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said investigators were able to catch Spears due to building intelligence, forensic intelligence and information gathered from interviewing.

“We pieced this together through modern police work and the technique of old ways of doing things, going out and interviewing and following up on mundane things,” he said. “Investigators used technology, forensics, good old fashioned police work and partnerships in solving this case.”

Spears was transported Thursday to the Newberry County Detention Center where he was formally charged with murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

Foster said it appears Sanders and Spears met through the online classifieds website Backpage.com and that Sanders contacted Spears, who had posted an advertisement as an escort on the website. Foster said they met sometime after midnight April 10.

“To me it makes no difference what he was doing,” Foster said. “From a professional standpoint, the man was unlawfully killed. He contacted a guy on a social media site. No matter what anyone thinks on that, no one deserves to be killed. It does not diminish him (Sanders) as a human being in my eyes.”

Foster said investigators are trying to determine what was stolen from Sanders. Foster said they believe Spears stole cash, electronics and possibly some jewelry but are not 100 percent sure.

Foster said they believe Sanders was shot and killed after he got into a car with Spears against his will. It is believed that Sanders was killed at or near where his body was discovered on U.S. 176.

“Mr. Sanders was the victim of a senseless violent crime. This simply did not have to happen,” Foster said.

Spears record includes two arrests for burglary and one arrest for shoplifting. The charges began in 2011 when he was 17.

Spear’s arrest will not be the end of the investigation. Investigators are still seeking information that can assist with the investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at 803-321-2211, www.newberrycountysheriff.com, or Crime Stoppers of the Midlands at 1-888-CRIMESC.

Goodwin

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LITTLE MOUNTAIN —A 56-year-old Little Mountain man has been arrested and charged with two counts of burglary stemming from break-ins at Wilson’s II on Main Street.

Julius Henderson Goodwin, also known as Pete Caughman, of 236 Ponderosa Lane, remained in the Newberry County Detention Center on Thursday in lieu of $15,000 bond.

Sheriff Lee Foster stated in a press release that Wilson’s II was broken into April 4 and again April 24 after a cement block was used to break the glass at the front of the store. Cartons of Newport cigarettes were stolen each time.

Goodwin has an extensive criminal history that includes 10 prior burglary convictions, a strong armed robbery conviction, and an array of larceny and drug related charges mounting to a 24-page criminal history. He was last released from jail in November 2014.

Farmer

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Parkin

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NEWBERRY COUNTY — A Prosperity man remained in jail Tuesday night in connection with the recovery of three pull-behind campers that had been reported stolen in South Carolina and Georgia. The campers were valued at $100,000 total.

Jamey Lee Farmer, 43, of 888 Marina Way 9B, remained in the Newberry County Detention Center, charged with two counts of receiving stolen goods, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Charges are pending from the other jurisdictions for the theft of the campers.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said investigators received information a stolen camper was at Dreher Island Storage on State Park Road. A check of the camper’s serial number determined that the camper was stolen from York County. Working with York County investigators, the NCSO identified the suspect who stole the camper to be Farmer.

Farmer was located at Buffalo Creek Marina on Marina Way staying in a camper that had been stolen from Columbus, Ga. Once inside this camper, investigators found more than a gram of crystal methamphetamine along with needles and digital scales.

Investigators learned that Farmer had involvement with a third camper at Buffalo Creek Marina that was stolen from Dorchester County.

“This was an excellent example of having the ability to receive information from the community and then be willing to do the hard work to bring this case to fruition,” said Foster. “We treasure the relationship we have with the public and other agencies. After receiving the information, the investigators worked together with York County and the other agencies to recover this valuable property and get these people who steal to support their drugs off the streets.”

All three campers were seized and have been returned to the jurisdictions from which they were stolen. The campers had a combined value of approximately $100,000.

Dianna Christine Parkin, 38, of 145 Smallwood Drive in Chapin, who was also staying in the camper and knew it was stolen as well as about the possession of the drugs, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen goods, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Upon her arrest, investigators found pills in Parkin’s possession that were determined to be a controlled substance leading them to charge her with the additional charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Watts

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Williams

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Praylow

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Cannon

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NEWBERRY — The arrests of three Newberry residents and a man from Silverstreet last week led to the recovery of more than $20,000 in stolen property along with the seizure of more than $4,000 in counterfeit money and a handgun.

Sheriff Lee Foster said a resident called about suspicious activity in the area of Deadfall Road near S.C. 395 just after 11 p.m. June 8.

When deputies responded, they stopped a truck pulling two all-terrain vehicles behind it and a third ATV being driven on the roadway. All three were identified as being stolen in a previous incident in Newberry County.

Deputies found $2,010 in counterfeit money in $20 and $10 bills along with a Hi Point .45-caliber pistol that was thrown into the woods by one of the suspects as they were being stopped by the deputies. Three suspects — James Arthur Cannon, Shantana Monique Watts and Randy Rodriquez Williams — were taken into custody.

Cannon, 33, of 816 Wise St., Newberry, was charged with receiving stolen goods more than $10,000, forgery, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He remained in jail Sunday night on $23,000 bond.

Watts, 28, 182 Newberry Arms, Newberry, was charged with receiving stolen goods more than $10,000 and forgery. She was released on bond June 9.

Williams, 40, of 210 Thomas Werts Road, Silverstreet, was charged with receiving stolen goods more than $10,000 and forgery. He was released on bond June 9.

“This is a perfect example of why we ask citizens to call when they see something suspicious,” said Foster. “The information from the citizen led to a major criminal enterprise. Had this citizen not called when they saw this suspicious activity, it would have taken substantially longer to identify and locate these suspects. It is imperative that when a citizen sees suspicious activity that they call 911 so that law enforcement can determine if criminal activity is afoot.”

The recovered four-wheelers were stolen June 1 from a residence on Hance Road in Prosperity.

Foster said investigators and command staff executed search warrants on several locations following the arrests of Cannon, Watts and Williams.

During those searches, they located an additional $2,000 in counterfeit money that was used to purchase the stolen four-wheelers and arrested another man.

Lamar Houseal Praylow, 25, of 56 Grant Drive, Newberry, was charged with second-degree burglary, grand larceny of more than $10,000 and forgery. He remained in jail Sunday night.

Foster said the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office contacted the U.S. Secret Service about the counterfeit money and it is expected that they will take over that aspect of the investigation.

Several counterfeit bills had been taken by area merchants and that will be part of the investigation into the counterfeit money. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also will be contacted, Foster said.

More arrests and additional charges are expected.

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WHITMIRE — A Whitmire man has been charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine and second offense possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana.

Frank Jeter, 44, of 763 Duckett Ave. in Whitmire, was arrested and charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute (second offense), and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (second offense).

He was taken to the Newberry County Detention Center. A bond hearing has not yet been held.

Officers from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and Whitmire Police Department served a search warrant on Jeter’s apartment Friday morning and found approximately 2 grams of crack cocaine and 24 grams of marijuana.

The search warrant was the result on an ongoing law enforcement investigation between the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Whitmire Police Department, and Laurens County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators says that Jeter had previously sold crack cocaine to an undercover operative on several occasions during the ongoing investigation.

Mills

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LEXINGTON COUNTY — A Little Mountain man has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that left two men dead early Sunday morning.

Joseph Elijah Mills, 25, is charged with two counts of murder for fatally shooting two men with a handgun while at a Lake Murray nightspot on the outskirts of Chapin near the Newberry County line, according to arrest warrants.

“The suspect was arrested without incident at a Chapin residence Sunday afternoon,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

The victims have been identified by Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher as 40-year-old Charles Allen Judge Jr. and 29-year-old Jonathan Michael Prins.

“Mills is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center while he awaits a bond hearing,” Koon said. “We’re still interviewing persons of interest and reviewing evidence.”

Anyone with information about the shooting can share tips anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).

NEWBERRY COUNTY — The live-in boyfriend of a woman found guilty of homicide by child abuse earlier this year was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to murder and homicide by child abuse.

Eighth Circuit Court Judge Frank R. Addy Jr. accepted the guilty plea during General Sessions Court held in Newberry.

Richard Frank Vernon Bowman III, 29, of 2302 Union Highway in Enoree, was given credit for 566 days in jail. He had been in jail since his arrest on Dec. 30, 2014.

Bowman testified against Theia McArdle during her trial in April. McArdle, found guilty of homicide by child abuse for the Dec. 30, 2014, death of her 3-year-old son Gabriel, was sentenced to 30 years in prison with credit given for time served.

Addy also accepted a guilty plea from Jonathan Sentel Dominick, 31, of Prosperity, on charges of manslaughter/voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of a 19-year-old Newberry man on July 22, 2014, during a weekend block party on Rikard School Road.

Addy sentenced Dominick to 25 years in prison, with credit for time served since July 23, 2014, which does include all time on house arrest.

Dominick, who was 29 at the time of the shooting, was charged with murder after he was released from the hospital.

According to previous reports, deputies with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office responded to Rikard School Road in response to a complaint and as they approached the crowd, estimated to be over 100 people, they heard gunshots. Zemeckis Monteco Devante Houston, 19, of Newberry, was shot in the head and died from the wound.

Addy also accepted the following guilty pleas:

• Keith Levar Joiner Jr., 19, of 6391 Counts Sausage Road, Newberry, two counts petit or simple larceny charges, 30 days in jail, credit for 30 days served. Burglary, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years, suspended; time served, three years probation. Common law robbery, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, suspended; time served, three years probation.

• Andrew Ray Longshore, 29, of 1855 Kibler Bridge Road, Prosperity, driving under the influence, two days in jail and $100 fine, credit for two days served.

• Kyree Antonyo Harris, 20, of 2501 Read St., Columbia, larceny/grand larceny, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years in prison, suspended; time served and five years probation, concurrent. Burglary, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, suspended; time served and probation for five years.

• Tyrell Kiandre Shepard, 19, of 2152 Oak St., Columbia, burglary, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, suspended; time served and probation for five years.

• Charles Shannon Nickles, 44, of 107 Slayton St., Whitmire, domestic violence, 90 days in jail, credit for 28 days served.

• Stanton Dameon Austin, 24, of 189 Ernest Road, Prosperity, two counts domestic/criminal domestic violence, 100 days in prison, credit for 22 days.

• Debarrus Manquel Dandy, 22, of 1703 Drayton St., Newberry, domestic/criminal domestic violence, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three days in prison, suspended; credit for nine days, three years probation. Presenting a firearm to a person, charged under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years, suspended; nine days, three years probation, credit for nine days served. Assault and battery, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years in prison, suspended; one day, three years probation, credit for one day served.

• Jahmeek Joiner, 17, of 318 Fulmer Road, Newberry, criminal conspiracy, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years in prison, suspended; 10 days, four years probation, credit for 10 days served. Possession of a handgun by person under 18, sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years in prison, suspended; 10 days, four years probation, credit for 10 days served.

• Kendall Edward Martin, 38, of 4111B Mount Pilgrim Church Road, Prosperity, sex offender registry violation, 280 days in prison, concurrent with S.C. Department of Corrections sentence.

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NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry Police Department reported the following incidents and arrests:

• Wilshaud Jaquan Johnson, 18, of 452 Hawkins Road, Newberry, and Kristopher Terrell Jeter, 17, of 1306 Second St., Newberry, were charged with drug/narcotics violations July 17 after the NPD received a tip that several subjects were smoking marijuana on the corner of O’Neal Street. The reporting officer stated he could smell marijuana when he exited his vehicle and proceeded to then question the subjects. They admitted they had been smoking marijuana and turned over the drugs to the officer. Johnson and Jeter were issued tickets while a juvenile offender was petitioned to Family Court.

• Hayward McCullough, 65, of 900 Suber Drive #B, Newberry, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and public intoxication July 12. Two officers were on patrol and observed McCullough staggering in the middle of the street. Upon approaching him the officers noticed McCullough was having trouble maintaining his balance and was also slurring his speech. The officers confiscated a bag of marijuana McCullough was attempting to conceal in his pocket and placed him under arrest.

• John Edward Kinard, 47, of 1306 Hunt St. #116, Newberry, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and drunkenness July 21 after an officer observed him losing his balance several times while attempting to cross Wilson Road. The officer reported his eyes were “bloodshot red and watery” and he smelled strongly of alcohol. Kinard admitted he consumed two or three 24-ounce beers and had marijuana. He was arrested.

• Lametria Nicholson, 26, of 315 Gray St. was charged with shoplifting July 24 after Walmart’s loss prevention staff observed her place a car seat in her shopping cart and walk past all points of sale. Nicholson was brought to the loss prevention office office and informed the staff member she had previously been charged with shoplifting at a different Walmart. When the officer arrived Nicholson was placed under arrest.

• Frederick Allen Hentz Sr., 59, of 708 Coates St., Newberry, was charged with drug paraphernalia July 12 after an officer searched his residence in pursuit of three wanted suspects. During the search the officer observed several items of paraphernalia including a pill bottle coated with marijuana residue and a grinder in plain view on a bedside table. Hentz was issued a ticket.

• R.D. Byrd, 62, of 137 JB Fulmer Court, Newberry, was charged with DUI and liquor law violations July 16 after an officer was dispatched to locate a blue Dodge Durango that had reportedly been involved in a sideswipe hit and run on S.C. 34. The officer spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on College Street. When approaching the vehicle the officer noticed the left side mirror was missing and there was damage to the driver’s door. A nearly empty bottle of gin was located in the passenger seat and the subject, identified as Byrd, was subjected to a field sobriety test which he failed. Byrd was arrested.

• Angelo Donshelley Lindsay, 37, of 224 Drayton St., Newberry, was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest July 12. While patrolling the Suber Drive Apartments, officers noticed a man struggling to maintain his balance and approached him. Lindsay falsely stated his name was Lafayette Eugene Lindsay and had trouble recalling the date of his birthday. When informed he was being placed under arrest for public intoxication Lindsay became belligerent and began swearing loudly. Lindsay attempted to jerk away from the officers before being transported to the NCDC where his true identity was discovered. He had several active warrants on him.

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NEWBERRY COUNTY – Two Prosperity men are in custody after breaking into a home in one neighborhood and stealing weapons, then discharging a firearm in a different neighborhood.

Charles Logan Higgins III, 20, of 370 Federal Lane in Prosperity, and Travarris Maurice Green, 18, of 349 Federal Lane in Prosperity, have been charged with burglary and grand larceny.

Sheriff Lee Foster said they face additional charges related to discharging the firearm in the unrelated incident.

Foster said deputies and investigators from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office responded Tuesday afternoon to a home on Paradise Road in Prosperity after the homeowner returned home to find that someone had broken in by kicking open the front door.

The homeowner reported that seven firearms had been stolen.

While the officers were at the home, a call came in about shots being fired in a nearby neighborhood. Deputies left the Paradise Road location and responded to Landing Road for this incident. Witnesses told them that Higgins and Green had fired one round from a shotgun but that several of the pellets fell on the roofs of several homes.

Foster said the witnesses provided a description of the vehicle the two left in. Investigators recovered physical evidence from both scenes that indicated Higgins and Green were responsible for both incidents.

Foster said deputies located the vehicle and Higgins, taking him into custody without incident.

Deputies searched a camper he was staying in and located the firearms stolen from the burglary on Paradise Road. Green was located later and was also taken into custody without incident.

Both men are being held at the Newberry County Detention Center.

Charles Logan Higgins III, left, of 370 Federal Lane in Prosperity, and Travarris Maurice Green, of 349 Federal Lane in Prosperity, have been charged with burglary and grand larceny in connection with the theft of seven guns from a home in Prosperity.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_ncsoHigginsGreenCROPPED.jpgCharles Logan Higgins III, left, of 370 Federal Lane in Prosperity, and Travarris Maurice Green, of 349 Federal Lane in Prosperity, have been charged with burglary and grand larceny in connection with the theft of seven guns from a home in Prosperity. Courtesy photo

NEWBERRY COUNTY — The arrests of four people linked to a series of burglaries in Whitmire and Union County should serve as notice to anyone wanting to commit a crime that “if you mess with one, you mess with all.”

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster made that statement at a joint press conference held Thursday with Union County Sheriff David Taylor and Whitmire Police Chief Jeremiah Sinclair to announce the arrests of three people from Whitmire and one person from Waterloo in connection with burglaries that occurred between July 26 and Aug. 1.

Those arrested were Kenneth L. Braswell, 40, of 74 Sinclair Ave. in Whitmire; Sierra D. Braswell, 29, of 1260 Church St. in Whitmire; Chrystal R. Hughes, 43, of 7471 River Folk Road in Waterloo; and Donald A. Price II, 26, of 191 Sinclair Ave. in Whitmire.

All were being held at the Newberry County Detention Center on Thursday with the exception of Braswell who was released on bond.

Of the roughly $10,000 in antiques and collectibles that were stolen, more than $3,000 has been recovered. Some of the items stolen included baseball cards and antique glass bottles.

Foster said the burglaries were committed to supply a drug habit.

“The relationship (between the subjects) is methamphetamine,” Foster said. “People that are hooked on it, people that use — they find themselves out because those are the people that know how to cook meth, know how to manufacture meth and know how to move meth.

“We are living in a time right now where people tend to minimize the effect of drugs and drug abuse on a community,” he said, adding that “drugs still have a major impact on crime.”

Union County Sheriff David Taylor said the market is saturated with meth in Union County and that in 2015 alone his department seized 17 “shake and bake” meth labs.

“We’ve got to educate our young people … about the dangers of drugs and what it can do to you,” Taylor said. “You can find a meth head — most of them have no more than two teeth and those teeth are probably loose.”

Sinclair, who described the four as “basically career criminals,” said they might have been working together in some of the burglaries while acting alone in others.

The case was initially opened by the Whitmire Police Department before seeking assistance from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, which in turn teamed up with the Union County Sheriff’s Office to develop suspects and eventually make arrests.

“Investigators from all three agencies quickly realized that the burglaries in both jurisdictions were related,” Taylor said. “They combined forces and worked these cases together to round up these suspects.”

Taylor said criminals will often commit crimes in multiple jurisdictions thinking it will be harder for law enforcement agencies to build cases against them.

“We’re thankful that we have a working relationship with these agencies that help us to catch these people,” he said. “The investigators from Newberry and the chief of Whitmire are to be commended for the job they do. There’s still a lot of merchandise out of these three burglaries that’s still on the street and we encourage anyone who’s bought anything from these individuals to come forward.”

Authorities are still looking for Ansel Bradley Wallen, 45, who is under suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.

“Primarily he kind of roams in the Whitmire, Union County area,” Foster said.

In an effort to highlight the teamwork of the three agencies and also discourage future crime, Foster said: “We want to place the bad guys on clear notice that if you mess with one, you mess with all.”

K. Braswell

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Braswell_K.jpgK. Braswell

S. Braswell

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_braswell_S.jpgS. Braswell

Hughes

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Hughes_C.jpgHughes

Price

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Ansel Brad Wallen, 45, is being sought on suspicion of breaking into a motor vehicle. Authorities believe he could be in the Whitmire or Union area.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Wallen.jpgAnsel Brad Wallen, 45, is being sought on suspicion of breaking into a motor vehicle. Authorities believe he could be in the Whitmire or Union area.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, at podium, praised the cooperation between Newberry and Union counties along with the Town of Whitmire in identifying five people suspected of breaking into homes in both counties and stealing antiques and collectibles to fund a drug habit. Whitmire Police Chief Jeremiah Sinclair is at right.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_foster.jpgNewberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, at podium, praised the cooperation between Newberry and Union counties along with the Town of Whitmire in identifying five people suspected of breaking into homes in both counties and stealing antiques and collectibles to fund a drug habit. Whitmire Police Chief Jeremiah Sinclair is at right. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

NEWBERRY COUNTY — Circuit Court Judge Robert Hood accepted the following guilty pleas during a recent session of General Sessions Court:

• Nicholas Nelson, 37, of 220 Hidden Valley Road, Prosperity, assault and battery, third degree, 30 days in jail, suspended; time served.

• Christopher Kentrell Gallman, 20, of 207 Silverstreet Road, Silverstreet, assault and battery by mob, Youthful Offender Act not to exceed one year in prison, suspended; time served.

• Ketrevis Martekis Antonia Penny, 19, of 5173 Macedonia Church Road, Prosperity, third-degree burglary, first offense, Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years in prison, suspended; time served, three years probation. Breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps, where fuel, lubricants, Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years in prison, suspended; time served, three years probation. Common law robbery, Youthful Offender Act not to exceed six years, suspended; time served, probation for three years. All sentences are concurrent.

• Derant Reginald Summers, 36, of 2115 Charles St., Newberry, failure to stop for blue lights, three years in prison, suspended; time served, credit for 62 days served.

• Woodrow Davis III, 37, of 908 Sanders St., Newberry, domestic violence, third degree, 90 days in jail, suspended; time served, six months probation.

• Anitra Dionne Towns, 42, of 3583 Grant Ave., Newberry, domestic violence, second degree, three years in prison, suspended; probation for two years.

• Shaunna Rivas, 27, of 332 Crosson St., Newberry, grand larceny more than $2,000, less than $10,000, three years in prison, suspended; probation for two years. Concurrent with a possession of methamphetamine, three years in prison, suspended; probation for two years.

• Elajuwon Davone Robinson, 22, of 362 Wise St., Newberry, obtaining signature or property under false pretenses, 30 days in jail; credit for time served.

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NEWBERRY COUNTY — Two North Carolina men were arrested last Wednesday following a traffic stop on S.C. 121 near Frye Road between Newberry and Whitmire.

Jonathan Nathaniel Gayle, 18, of 311 Thompson Court in Indian Trail, N.C., was charged with carrying a pistol unlawfully and three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of meth.

James D Murphy, 26, of 6025 Pine Bark Court in Charlotte, N.C., was charged with carrying a pistol unlawfully, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of meth. Murphy was also charged with no driver’s license, no proof of insurance, and operating a vehicle with a no license plate.

Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said in a press release that deputies were called around 10 p.m. Aug. 24 to help a Trooper with the S.C. Highway Patrol with a traffic stop.

Deputies searched the suspects’ vehicle and found .2 grams of black tar heroin, .5 grams of heroin, three pills of ecstasy, three pills of Xanax, several pills of buprenorphine hydrochloride (a semisynthetic opioid), and 3.5 grams of crystal meth.

The officers also found digital scales and other drug paraphernalia in the car. The suspects also had a Beretta .22-caliber pistol in the pocket of the driver’s side door.

“It is clear that these men intended to both use and sell these illegal drugs,” said Foster. “They were armed and carrying dangerous drugs. While we do not know for certain where their intent was to go with these drugs, it is clear that we are all safer with these suspects in custody and these extremely dangerous drugs removed from our community.”

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NEWBERRY — A 24-year-old Newberry man remained in jail on Tuesday in connection with the kidnapping and assault of an elderly woman a week ago.

Anthony Maurice Wise, of 604 Green Meadow Drive, was charged with burglary, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and grand larceny. Bond was denied. Jail records indicate that Wise was on probation for a drug-related offense.

“I cannot say enough about the incredible job done by the entire investigative team,” Sheriff Lee Foster said. “All involved worked tirelessly and for countless hours to bring this suspect to justice. The investigators used every available resource including technology, forensics, and a great working knowledge of the community and environment to make an arrest in this case.”

According to previous reports:

A 73-year-old woman reported to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office that a man — identified as Wise — was lying in the seat of her vehicle when she opened the door on Wednesday. The man kicked her in the chest then forced her inside her Green Meadows Drive home where he bound her with Duct tape and a phone cord.

The man took money and jewelry then forced her, still bound, into her vehicle and drove her around demanding money from an ATM. He took her back to her home and demanded more money and property before he left in the victim’s vehicle.

The woman was able to remove some of the bindings and called 911. She was still partially restrained with the Duct tape and telephone cord when deputies and investigators with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office arrived at her home around 10:30 p.m. Sept. 21.

She had marks around her neck and legs where she had been restrained. She did receive medical treatment and was released from the hospital with a broken collar bone and minor injuries.

The vehicle was found near Boyd’s Crossing Road. The NCSO, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, could not locate the suspect using bloodhounds but the vehicle was taken to the Newberry County Sheriff Office crime lab for processing. The Newberry City Police Department offered assistance throughout the investigation.

“I find it especially despicable for someone to not just rob an elderly person but to physically assault and injure them as well,” said Foster. “He could have gotten her money and property without injuring her, but he chose to inflict additional injury and pain on the victim, particularly since he knew her and lived in the same community.”

Foster said assistance from other law enforcement agencies helped them close the case.

“We are pleased to bring this suspect to justice,” said Foster. “This is what law enforcement agencies working together with the community united with cutting edge techniques can accomplish together.”

Anthony Maurice Wise was charged with burglary, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and grand larceny. Bond was denied. Jail records indicate that Wise was on probation for a drug-related offense.

http://newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_user20581-1474895145-media1-1.jpgAnthony Maurice Wise was charged with burglary, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and grand larceny. Bond was denied. Jail records indicate that Wise was on probation for a drug-related offense. Photo courtesy of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office