Sunday, January 31, 2010

Serenity Now!

A North Augusta woman was busted Sunday for trespassing after notice.

Serenity Soderstrom, 20, of North Augusta, was booked into the Aiken County Jail on the misdemeanor charge at 7 p.m. Sunday. The arresting agency was the Aiken Department of Public Safety.

We can't understand why people are surprised when they get arrested for trespassing. They've been warned, right?

According to a South Carolina attorney, the trespass law in the Palmetto State requires that you have notice that you are trespassing before you can be arrested. In some cases, an individual can have you served with a formal "trespass notice," which will later serve as evidence that you were warned to stay off of the property.

Sometimes signs are clearly posted that prohibit trespassers. In other cases, a person may be arrested when they are verbally told to leave and they refuse to do so.

Exclusive: Inmate Killer Arrested Again

Exclusive from The Jail Report:

An Aiken man who served time for killing an accused sex offender inside the Aiken County Detention Center last year was re-arrested Saturday morning.

Andrew York, 38, was arrested by Aiken public safety officers just after midnight Saturday on charges of malicious injury to property and disorderly conduct. The charges were minor enough that Mr. York was able to post $1,355 bond and get out of jail before the day was over.

The detention center may have given him nightmares. Last April, he was being held in the jail on breach of trust charges when he punched 55-year-old Dale Sengelman after Mr. Sengelman had grabbed his butt. Mr. Sengelman hit his head on the concrete floor and died a day later.

Mr. York pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in July and was sentenced to 10 months in prison because investigators don't think he meant to kill the man. He was given credit for four months he spent in prison.

It is unclear when Mr. York was released from prison. A website for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services has no record of him.

Aiken County jail records show that Mr. York is a repeat offender who likes to cheat people. When he killed the inmate, he was being held on charges of breach of trust with fraudulent intent, accused of taking a car and not returning it. He has criminal history that involved a number of misdemeanors dating back to 1995.

In 2007, he was arrested on Christmas Day for stealing bicycles and possessing tools for committing the crime. In 2008, he was busted on three counts of credit card fraud.

For the record, the man who Mr. York killed was being held on two counts of lewd act on a child under 16. Mr. Sengelman was from Orangeburg and was accused of fondling two children while he was working in Salley. His nickname was Santa Claus. According to police records, he had touched the juveniles in a sexual manner and talked about sex with them.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Drunk Driving on a Suspended License with an Open Container


Randy Enlow doesn't abide by the rules.

His license was suspended after his conviction for drunk driving. But did that stop him?

On Friday night, the S.C. Highway Patrol stopped the 43-year-old Johnston man while he was driving on Aiken County roadways. What did they find? He was drunk. He was driving on a suspended license. He had an open container of alcohol in the car. He had put a license plate from another car on the car he was driving.

According to jail records, Mr. Enlow was officially charged with DUI - 3rd offense, driving under suspension for DUI, open container and unlawful use of a tag on another vehicle.

What do you think the judicial system should do this time since he apparently doesn't like to follow the rules.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Exclusive: Mom Steals Child From Adoptive Parents

Exclusive from The Jail Report:

An Augusta woman was charged Wednesday with kidnapping her biological daughter from the family who adopted the child, according to sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles.

Indiana Walton, 27, of Tobias Court, Augusta, was captured with the 2-year-old girl shortly after snatching her from the 12th Street home where the child lived with her adoptive family, Lt. Peebles said.

Until recently, Ms. Walton lived in Florida, but she had moved to Augusta and had a rented moving van when she came to the 12th Street home where she knew her child was living, Lt. Peebles said.

"She goes over to the house, walks in, grabs the child and walks out and leaves," the lieutenant said. "Just like that. 'I want my baby back.' "

The child's adoptive family knew Ms. Walton well, and was able to help authorities identify her. When she took the girl, family members were in another room and heard her come in, but weren't able to stop her. She had not asked for permission to take the child, Lt. Peebles said.

"I don't know what's going through her mind. Obviously, she wants the child back," Lt. Peebles said.

Ms. Walton was charged with kidnapping of a minor and burglary. A mugshot shows her wearing a T-shirt that says, "I love you."

The woman is being held at the Richmond County Detention Center without bond.

You Write the Caption


Charity Herrin, 24, of Aiken, was charged Thursday with driving under suspension, simple possession of marijuana and failure to comply.

You write the caption.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Gang Sweep Begins with 3 Arrests



Press release from Lt. Scott Peebles, of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office:

On Wednesday afternoon, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office charged two adults and one juvenile with Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Street Gang Activity for their involvement in a shooting incident that is believed to have sparked Tuesday mornings murder of 16 year old Brandon Taylor on Monte Carlo Drive.

The investigation has revealed that on the evening prior to the murder, the suspect of the murder, Brandon Helm and another juvenile were shot at while walking through Pepperidge Subdivision. The investigation has revealed that Helm and the juvenile he was with were recognized as gang members who were passing through an opposing gangs neighborhood. The investigation reveals that Helm and the juvenile were chased and shot at by opposing gang members and no one was hit. It has been learned that Helm believed that Taylor was one of the individuals who shot at him, and revenge for this incident was the motive for Taylor’s murder several hours later.

The three men charged with the first shooting incident have been arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Street Gang Activity. The juvenile cannot be identified publicly. The two adults are 18 year old Kenneth Anderson (top mugshot) of Golden Leaf Lane in Augusta, and 17 year old Treshawn Cummings (bottom mugshot) of Winchester Court in Augusta.

Throughout the course of this investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has been able to identify a large number of gang members from the area, and has now begun to target those individuals for arrest. The investigation is expected to be lengthy and complex. There is a large list of individuals who the Sheriff’s Office is now in the process of building criminal cases against and further arrests are imminent. When those arrests are made on adults, their names and photographs will be forwarded to all media outlets.

Fraudulent Checks & Five-Finger Discounts


Take note, store managers.

We wouldn't recommend taking a check from 32-year-old Lori Widener of Aiken. Heck, we wouldn't even allow her to shop our store based on her jail record.

On Tuesday, the woman was busted by North Augusta officers on a shoplifting charge - 3rd or more offense. In addition, she was charged with three counts of issuing fraudulent checks and one count of providing false information to officers, according to jail records.

Ms. Widener has a lengthy record in Aiken County, and she's wanted for other offenses in Lexington and Charleston counties.

Here's a look at her previous charges in Aiken County:

  • May 2009: Malicious injury to property, criminal domestic violence
  • February 2009: 7 counts of contempt, one count of drug paraphernalia
  • June 2008: Shoplifting, six counts of fraudulent checks
  • September 2007: Four counts of shoplifting
Store managers: consider yourself warned.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

CCSO: Man Terrorizes Estranged Wife, Cuts Power to Home


A Martinez man's been arrested after allegedly stalking his estranged wife and cutting the power to her home repeatedly, including a few times while a deputy sat in the woman's home taking a report, a report states.

Jerry Steven Myers, 33, was charged Sunday with disorderly conduct and simple assault.

According to a Columbia County Sheriff's report, Jerry and Paula Myers are currently married, but have been mutually separated for about six months. Mrs. Myers told authorities that her estranged husband came by her mother's residence while drunk in an attempt to reconcile with her. He asked her if they were done. She told him yes, and he told her "you`re dead," the woman claimed.

The next few hours of terror are described in great detail in a sheriff's report:

Mrs. Myers said she had received 20 calls in two hours from her estranged husband. When a deputy was at the woman's home taking a report, the power to the inside of the residence was suddenly cut off. The deputy went outside and observed that the outside breaker box to the residence was open and the main breaker and sub-breaker in the box were in the off position. The officer turned both breakers back on and restored power to the residence.

The deputy advised Mrs. Myers of victims assistance available to her, including SafeHomes of Augusta. After the deputy left, the woman called 911 two more times to report her power had been cut off, telling authorities she feared for her life. The officer returned both times to restore power. The last time, 911 dispatchers heard Mr. Myers in the background.

According to the report, "deputies responded again to the residence and Deputy Johnson observed a male subject leaving the porch of the residence. One of the deputies observed the door on the outside breaker box to be bent and open, and the main breaker to be in the off position again. The breaker was turned back on and the power restored."

Just over the fence directly next to this residence, a silver Kia van was parked and unoccupied. The deputy ran the tag through the state computer system and it was determined that the van belonged to Mr. Myers. Deputies searched the immediate area for Mr. Myers, and he was located at the Circle K at Belair Rd. and Old Belair Rd.

Mr. Myers was handcuffed and brought back to the residence. The deputy placed Mr. Myers under arrest and asked him if he had anything to say. He did not.

Mr. Myers was transported to the Columbia County Jail on the two charges. Judge Nelson also issued a Special Condition of Bond in that Mr. Myers was to have no contact with Mrs. Myers whatsoever.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

UPDATED: 2 Suspects Arrested in Teen's Death



UPDATED WITH NEW MUGSHOTS.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people in connection with the overnight shooting death of 16 year old Brandon Desean Taylor at his home, 3411 Monte Carlo Drive.

Darian Deandre Postell, 19, of Thames Place in Hephzibah (top photo), and Brandon Ira Le’Keith Helm, 18, of Warwick Place in Hephzibah, (bottom photo) have been charged with one count each of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Both men are currently being held at the Richmond County Jail without bond.

Sheriff's Lt. Scott Peebles released this statement:

"The incident is believed to have been sparked from an altercation on Monday evening, in which, Helm and another man were shot at while walking through Pepperidge Subdivision. No one was hit, but it is believed that Helm, also identified as the shooter, was retaliating against Taylor, who he believed was one of several individuals responsible for that incident. Postell is believed to have accompanied Helm to the incident location and then disposed of the weapon afterward.
It is believed that the murder weapon has been recovered. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible. The Richmond County Board of Education Police assisted in this case, and were instrumental in its resolution."

The Joker



Tommy Perkins Jr., 21, of Graniteville, looks happy to be in jail. He was busted Monday on his fourth arrest for criminal domestic violence. That's his mugshot at top from this week's arrest, where he's sporting a grim similar to that of The Joker.

This repeat offender has been in trouble before. In fact, the second mugshot shown at bottom is from an arrest last February, when he was also charged with criminal domestic violence. From the picture it looks like someone else got in a good lick.

Here's a look at Tommy's previous charges in Aiken County:

  • February 2007 - Receiving stolen goods
  • January 2008 - Criminal domestic violence
  • February 2008 - Minor in possession of beer, shoplifting
  • May 2008 - Simple larceny
  • September 2008 - Criminal domestic violence
  • July 2009 - Minor in possession of alcohol, possession of Controlled II substances
  • Jan. 25, 2010 - Criminal domestic violence

Deadbeat Mom


There are deadbeat moms, too.

We recently published photos of several deadbeat dads. Well, moms who don't have custody of their children can also be arrested.

That's the case with 35-year-old Vinetta Mitchell, who was charged Monday by Richmond County authorities with failure to pay child support. Her bond is listed as 18,359.94, and we assume that is he amount she owes in back child support.

The US Census Bureau keeps track of deadbeat dads and moms. In 2007, the most recent data available, 25.8% of dads due child support didn't get it. Compare that to 23.4% of moms.


Monday, January 25, 2010

Suspects in McDonald's Murder





Four suspects have been charged in connection with Sunday morning's shooting death of Sergio Campbell in the parking lot of McDonald's on Dean's Bridge Road.

A motive has not been discussed in the case.

Three people were each charged with one count of murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. They are:
  • Sean Christopher Bryant, 19, of Alex Lane, Augusta (top mugshot)
  • Harry Lee Jones, 21, of Wharton Drive, Augusta (second mugshot from the top)
  • Kevin Antwan Williams, 19, of Stevens Road, Augusta (third mugshot)
A fourth suspect, 20-year-old Marques Antonio Robinson (bottom mugshot) was charged with making false statements in a government matter. He is the half brother of Mr. Williams.

According to Lt. Scott Peebles, more arrests are possible.

"Further details of the incident cannot yet be released," he said in a press release.

Deadbeat Dads Arrested




Local authorities charged three men in the last week with failure to pay child support:

  • Royce Kilpatrick, 32, of Aiken (top), was charged with one count of failure to pay child support in Aiken County.
  • Timothy Jerome Wilson, 36, of Augusta (top), was charged with one count of failure to pay child support in Richmond County.
  • Rodrekis Ronell Davis, 25, of Augusta (bottom), was charged with one count of failure to pay child support in Richmond County.
We know there is a problem with deadbeat parents because The Jail Report gets calls all the time from people who want us to run their former spouses in our wanted section for not paying up. Unfortunately, we rely on law enforcement officials to provide us with that information since we would be liable for running someone as wanted without a law enforcement source.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

UPDATED: Lewd Act on a Minor

UPDATED.

Aiken County authorities have arrested 68-year-old Howard Fowler of North Augusta on a charge of committing a lewd act on a minor and other sex crimes.

The Jail Report was not able to get the sheriff's office to provide details, but The Aiken Standard printed a story this week about the alleged offenses.

Lewd act on a minor is a felony offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or fines.

McDonald's Murder - Press Release

If you're interested, here is the press release, word for word, that Lt. Scott Peebles with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office sent out to local media regarding this morning's murder at McDonald's:

"This morning at 0232 hours, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting call at the McDonald’s, 2624 Deansbridge Road. Upon arrival, officers learned that one person had been shot, but was taken from the scene by friends. The victim, later identified as 22 year old Sergio Campbell, arrived at MCG ER where he was pronounced deceased on arrival. Campbell had been shot multiple times. The investigation is ongoing at this hour and more information will be released after noon. This is Richmond County’s 2nd murder of the year. There were two murders this time last year as well."

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Bizarre Fight Plays Out in Hephzibah


Two men were arrested this week after a bizarre incident in Hephzibah.

Deputies responded to Tracy Drive on Tuesday afternoon and found 27-year-old Jason Pinson (above), who admitted he had come to the home to fight the homeowner, Bobby Price. He also fully admitted damaging the resident's mailbox, a report states. Witnesses say Mr. Pinson also threw some socket wrenches at the home, breaking at least one window.

If that wasn't enough, the homeowner responded by coming outside with a shotgun and firing it at the troublemaker, who was standing in the road. Mr. Price told authorities that he fired the gun to scare Mr. Pinson away.

A sheriff's report doesn't mention what the men were fighting about, but it says Mr. Pinson had sent the homeowner a text message saying he was coming over to fight him.

Mr. Pinson was subsequently arrested for criminal trespass and simple assault. Mr. Price (no mugshot available) was charged with reckless conduct.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Man Slips Drugs to Brother at Medical Prison


A man was busted Wednesday for trying to slip marijuana and cocaine to his brother during visitation at the Augusta State Medical Prison, authorities said.

Larry Welborn, 23, of Athens, was visiting his brother, Allah Blakely, who is an inmate at the medical prison on Gordon Highway. Prison Officer Larry Redd observed Mr. Welborn
hand his brother something under the table, at which time Mr. Blakley lifted his rear up and sat on the item, a report states.

After a search, Mr. Blakley was found with four plastic bags taped together containing a total of 80 grams of marijuana as well as a green baggie with 2.9 grams of crack cocaine.

Mr. Welborn was charged with two counts of crossing the guard lines, one each for the marijuana and crack cocaine. Both are felonies. He was transported to the Richmond County Jail.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Suspects in Murder Arrested in Aiken County



A man and woman wanted in connection with a murder in upstate South Carolina were apprehended yesterday in Aiken County.

Christopher Robert Murray, 20, of Aiken, and Beulah Faye Brissey, 19, of , Easley, were taken into custody Wednesday night in connection with the shooting death of James Anthony Gibson in Pickens County, S.C.

Authorities had been searching for the pair in Monday's killing. A warrant alleges that Mr. Murray told people he killed the victim. Another warrant states that Ms. Brissey accompanied Mr. Murray to the victim's residence in Easley and left with him following the shooting.

The victim, 21, was found dead in his home Monday night, and an autopsy revealed that he died from a gunshot wound.

Around 6 p.m. last night, while assisting the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office in their on-going homicide investigation, Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, and the Aiken County Bloodhound Tracking Team received information regarding the whereabouts of the two Pickens County murder suspects. Information received by investigators led authorities to Andrews Circle in Montmorenci, S.C..

One subject was apprehended immediately, the other ran from the Andrews Circle address. The Aiken County Bloodhound Tracking Team tracked the second subject, and was able to apprehend him about and hour later with out incident.

Sheriff Michael Hunt stated, “I am very proud of our investigators and Deputies, because of their hard work and persistence with this incident, they were able to gather information and effectively apprehend these two murder suspects very quickly”.

Both suspects were to be transported back to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office for a bond arraignment. Mr. Murray is charged with murder, while Ms. Brissey is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, according to arrest warrants.

Female Burglar in Aiken County


Aiken County authorities busted a Jackson women for burglary this week.

Amanda Hays, 21, was charged with three counts of burglary and one count of grand larceny. While she isn't the first woman to be arrested for burglary, we found it unusual to see a woman charged with multiple counts.

And that brings us to a related topic. With the recession and economic downturn, wouldn't you think burglaries would be on the rise in most areas? According to The New York Times, just the opposite is the case.

More people are staying home during the day and going out less often at night. That means burglars have fewer chances to burglarize homes.

Two examples the newspaper cited in the November 2009 story:
  • In St. Louis County, Mo., burglaries are down 35 percent in 2009.
  • In Minneapolis, they’re down 15 percent. There was a 14 percent falloff in Phoenix.
Thinks that make you go hmmmmmm.

Johnny Smith, the Shoplifter


Those injuries on Johnny Smith's face are the result of him scuffling with Columbia County deputies Tuesday afternoon after he was allegedly caught shoplifting a camera at Wal-mart.

According to a sheriff's report, the 30-year-old suspect concealed a digital camera in his pants at Wal-mart on Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez. A Wal-mart employee who witnessed the theft confronted Mr. Smith and asked for the items back, but the suspect bolted.

After the employee's call to law enforcement, Reserve Deputy Les Walden and Deputy Scott Curry caught Mr. Smith and had to wrestle him to the ground to handcuff him. While kicking his legs and trying to roll onto his side, the suspect sustained a tear to his left pants and injuries to his knee and face.

Mr. Smith was checked out by EMS and then transported to the Columbia County Jail on charges of larceny and three counts of felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Kidnapping Arrest in Columbia County



Columbia County authorities have charged a man with kidnapping after an apparent domestic dispute over the weekend.

Russell Boyles, 22 (above), has been charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, hijacking of motor vehicle and a controlled substance felony.

On Sunday morning, authorities were called about a domestic dispute in Martinez in which Mr. Boyles had allegedly forced a 21-year-old woman into her own vehicle and told her to drive. Officers located the vehicle and made a traffic stop at Zaxby's near Park Lane, where they found the victim and Mr. Boyles. The officer took the suspect into custody at that time.

"Upon patting down the suspect for weapons, reporting officer found the listed firearm in the suspect's waistband, along with a handcuff key, a small pocketknife, several small white pills in a partially open cigarette box, and several other miscellaneous items (gun, magazine and bullets)," a report states.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Shaken Baby Dies; Man Charged with Murder


UPDATED

Corduray Scott, 22, of Augusta,
has been charged with murder after authorities say he shook his 3-month-old son Monday and caused the boy to go into a coma and eventually die.

The boy, Corduray Scott Jr., suffered serious injuries that included multiple broken ribs and two detached retinas. His mother took him to the hospital Monday after he appeared to be having seizures, but authorities say he likely suffered from shaken baby syndrome. The boy died Thursday.

The boy's father reportedly said he was upset with the boy because he wouldn't' stop crying.

Mr. Scott remains in jail under no bond.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Man Arrives Late from Work, Gets Beat Up By Girlfriend

An Augusta woman was charged Saturday with beating up her live-in boyfriend because he came home late from work, a sheriff's report states.

Authorities were called to Swanee Quintet Boulevard at 7 a.m. Saturday, where victim Deanthony Brown told authorities that girlfriend Denise Meminger (above) got angry with him when he arrived home from work.

"Denise thought he should have been home before 3 a.m. ... and became enraged and began to punch him in the face with a closed fist multiple times," a report states.

The 26-year-old victim, who shares a child with the suspect, was bleeding from the nose and had swelling to the left eye when deputies arrived. When the officers told Mr. Brown they would have to arrest his girlfriend, he refused to write a statement or have his injuries photographed, a report states.

Ms. Meminger, 27, was arrested for simple battery and taken to jail.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Failure to Register as Sex Offenders



Richmond County authorities busted two men in the last few days for failure to register as a sex offender:
  • Marcell Hankins, 35, top photo, was originally convicted in 1996 of child molestation
  • Travis Williams, 21, bottom, was originally convicted in 2003 of criminal sexual conduct with a minor
Click here to see Richmond County's complete list of registered sex offenders.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Suspects With Attitude



Some suspects look really angry. That's the feeling we get with these two recent arrests in Richmond County:

  • James Culver, 25, (top) arrested this week on a charge of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
  • Alesha Glover, 23, (bottom) was charged with interfering with a sheriff's deputy.
It seems both wouldn't be so upset if they had kept out of trouble and cooperated with law enforcement a little. Sometimes, it's the angry attitude that gets you in trouble in the first place. Then you only get madder once the handcuffs come out.

A wise man once said, “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

Thursday, January 14, 2010

In Trouble Again


Monroe Hall III, 17, just had his record expunged around Thanksgiving for a summer arrest. And now he's in trouble again.

The Warrenville teen's was busted Wednesday for malicious injury to house, tree or personal property, according to jail officials. He's got a bond court this morning on the charge and remains in the Aiken County Jail.

It's a shame for his family, who likely worked hard to get him out of the first jam he was in. Last August, Monroe was arrested for "ill treatment of animals - in general, overworking".

He must have had a good attorney. In the first case that The Jail Report has witnessed, Monroe got that charge "expunged" from the jail records. It's not listed when you go on the public website. But he made our paper back over the summer, so we know the alleged offense.

We can't help but wonder how much patience his family will have if he keeps getting in trouble with the law.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Fleeing Police Doesn't Always Work Out

Franz Kennedy, 50, of Augusta, was busted Monday after leading Richmond County deputies on a chase.

From the looks of his face, the chase didn't end so well for him.

According to the jail, Mr. Kennedy was charged with driving under the influence, fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving while license suspended, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to stop at a stop sign, and an order to show cause.

We also think he'll be wanted soon by the hospital, which will want to collect on the medical bills to fix his face.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Man Captured in Aiken Shooting



A shooting occurred at 1041 Alfred Street in Aiken this morning at approximately 1:30 a.m. Since then, investigators have issued an arrest warrant for Leviel Priester for Assault and Battery and Intent to Kill. Priester turned himself in today.

Although the witness provided an initial story of the events, the investigation revealed that Priester may not have acted in self defense.

Serial Rape Suspect Caught in Illinois


Serial rape suspect Charles Anthony James was arrested this morning in Springfield Illinois. James was involved in a traffic accident while driving a vehicle that he took during a home invasion in Kentucky. After the accident, James took flight on foot from officers in Illinois, but was apprehended.

The search for James revealed that he had gotten off of the Augusta-bound bus from prison in Macon, Georgia. It was believed at the time that James had committed a home invasion in Jones County Georgia, just outside of Macon, in which he stole a vehicle. That vehicle was recovered in Kentucky, not far from the scene of another home invasion, in which James was suspected.

A car was taken in that case also, and this is the car that James was in this morning. There is “evidence” in the car that links James to the Jones County home invasion and auto theft.

The U.S. Marshals, Department of Corrections, Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky State Police and other agencies have actively been working with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in attempting to locate James.

The Extradition process will now begin and there is no way of knowing how long it will take to get James back to Richmond County.

Authorities say Mr. James was mistakenly released from the Georgia Department of Corrections. He was supposed to be sent back to the Richmond County Jail to await trial regarding his June 2008 arrests stemming from the kidnapping, rapes and violent assaults on three women.

CCSO: Appling Caterer Gave Beer to Minor


The owner of an Appling catering business has been charged with furnishing alcohol to a teenager who worked for him, Columbia County authorities said.

Arthur Randall Cliett, 55, of White Oak Road, Appling, was arrested Monday afternoon on the minor offense.

According to a sheriff's report, the father of the 17 year old complained to authorities that his son came home intoxicated and that Mr. Cliett had provided the beer. The teen explained that he had gone to dinner at Las Lomas Mexican Restaurant with his boss on Sunday and had drank two beers that were purchased for him, a sheriff's report states.

Mr. Cliett is the owner of Wisteria Hill Catering in Appling.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Late Weekend Drunk Drivers




For some partiers, it doesn't have to be Friday or Saturday night to get drunk and get behind the wheel.

Here are a few DUI arrests from the last 24 hours in Aiken County (listed from top photo to bottom):
  • David Edlund, 46, of Beech Island, was charged with DUI and no proof of insurance
  • Darla Moseley, 27, of Warrenville, was charged with DUI
  • Clifton Young IV, 31, of Warrenville, was charged with DUI and driving under suspension - 3rd offense

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Meth Distributors



Two men have been charged by Richmond County authorities in the last few days with possessing methamphetamine.

Mark Winter, 50 (top), was charged Wednesday with possession of meth with intent to distribute as well as marijuana possession.

On Friday, 18-year-old Bryan Harrison (bottom mugshot) was busted for possession of meth with intent to distribute and two counts of controlled substance felony.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Josey High School Arrests, Part 1




Eleven people were arrested Wednesday for disorderly conduct after a fight at Josey High School.

Authorities say the fight between two rival groups started after a girl got chalk on her clothes. The fight took place in the school hallway during a class change. One student was punched in the face and required stitches.

Six juveniles were also charged with fighting and released to their parents.

Here are the first three of 11 people charged with disorderly conduct (from the top):
  • Dirius Smiley, 18
  • Dannie Ellison, 18
  • Carlo Brooks, 19

Josey Fight Arrests, Part 2





Here is part two of the students arrested for disorderly conduct at Josey High School on Wednesday (from the top):

  • Vedre Graham, 19
  • Nathaniel Anthony, 19
  • David Proctor, 18
  • Marquette Luke, 18