21 Years Later, Woman Kills Again

A Martinez woman who served prison time for shooting her brother to death in Augusta in 1991 was charged today with killing her roommate earlier this morning.

Yvette "Candice" Taylor, 46, is accused of killing 63-year-old Theodore Crew at the apartment they share at Applecross Apartments on Applecross Drive.

The woman lied to investigators to cover up the crime, according to an incident report. She told sheriff's investigators that she left the apartment this morning about 1:30 a.m. "because Mr. Crew was speaking 'foolishness,'" a report says.

Taylor stated she then went downstairs to the neighbor directly below her and then onto her mother's apartment to spend the night. The suspect claimed she returned to her apartment at 8 a.m. today and found Crew on the bathroom floor unresponsive. The woman said that is when she called 911.

Authorities found blood spatter in the front living area and found the victim in the bathroom. Taylor was later charged with murder after an investigation. A cause of death was not released, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.

This is not Taylor's first killing, according to authorities. The suspect served part of a 10-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her brother, 22-year-old Jerry Taylor. Jerry Taylor was found lying in the kitchen floor on Feb. 18, 1991, and authorities say Yvette Taylor shot him three times in the right eye after an argument.

Yvette was 25 at the time and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. She served time in prison from 1993 to 1996 and again from 1998 to 2002. It is not immediately clear whether the second prison term was for a parole violation or a separate offense.

PRISON MUGSHOT - SCOTT DEAN

The Jail Report has your exclusive first look at the prison mugshot of former Columbia County Commissioner Scott Dean, just starting a 20-year sentence for molesting his adopted daughter.
The new prison mugshot shows Dean with his distinctive blonde hair completely shaved off and only a mustache remaining.

Dean was transferred Thursday from the Columbia County Jail to Coastal State Prison in Savannah. That is a diagnostic center where felons are evaluated before getting a permanent prison assignment.

A prison website lists a possible release date for Dean of Dec. 13, 2031.

Dean was convicted of molesting and exposing himself to his adopted daughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison as well as 20 years on probation once he is released.

Aiken Woman Charged with Failing to Report Murder

An Aiken woman was charged with a felony Tuesday for failing to tell authorities that she knew 18-year-old Huran Dix had been shot to death and buried in the woods a week and a half ago.

Ashley Serrano, 24, was charged with "misprison of a felony" for neglecting to report a crime.

Serrano is the girlfriend of Mario Parker, who is the brother of murder suspect Christopher Parker. Authorities say Christopher Parker mistakenly thought Dix had stolen an income tax return check from his girlfriend, leading to the shooting.

Mario Parker was charged last week with helping Christopher Parker dispose of Dix’s body in the woods. Christopher Parker's girlfriend, Pebbles Moyle, was also charged in the case, accused of helping her boyfriend avoid arrest.

In the case of Ashley Serrano, authorities say she knew about the killing and never said anything until she became a suspect.

"She was not forthcoming until she was approached with the investigation," sheriff's Capt. Troy Elwell said. "And then at that point, information trickled to investigators when it should have been a steady flow."

Capt. Elwell said that anytime a citizen has knowledge of a crime that occurred, there is an obligation for them to report it to the proper authorities.

Serrano is a repeat offender with a history of violent assaults, according to jail records.

EXCLUSIVE: Woman Arrested in T-Mobile Tuition Scam in Augusta

An arrest has been made in the investigation of T-Mobile employees who stole hundreds of thousands from the company after filing fraudulent claims for tuition reimbursement in Augusta.

Shantae Evans, 33, has been charged with five felony counts of theft by deception and is sitting in the Richmond County Jail this morning under $28,500 bond.

Evans, a former T-Mobile employee, was allegedly involved in the tuition scheme and received a cut of the money. According to a report, numerous T-Mobile employees filed fraudulent claims to receive tuition reimbursements for continued education classes that they did not take.

The employees would provide the needed information for the claims to a current employee, who would pass the information on to another employee as well as Evans.

"The Evans suspect would access the company's web site and file the fraudulent claims for each employee, which ranged between $4,000 and $5,000 each," a report says.

Other arrests are possible. A T-Mobile loss prevention investigator told deputies that dozens of employees from the call center on Wheeler Road are believed to be involved in the fraud. The total amount of money claimed is believed to be around $200,000.

Tips to Avoid a DUI Arrest

As you prepare to celebrate the new year, The Jail Report wants you to be happy. But not THIS happy.

This is 37-year-old Christina Kurdziel of North Augusta, arrested Thursday for drunk driving in Richmond County. She was stopped when an officer saw her failing to maintain her lane and pulled her over, according to jail records.

Tonight, we want you to take lots of pictures of your festivities. Just don't make it necessary to have your picture taken by a jailer.

Remember these tips:

1. Set your limit before you start drinking.

2. Eat something before you start drinking.

3. Drink plenty of water – if you have a beer and then a water and then a beer and then a water... you'll be drinking less beer. But remember, the only way to completely avoid a DUI charge is to abstain from drinking alcohol.

4. Wait until you get to the party. If you're already drunk by the time you get to the party, what kind of shape will you be in when you leave?

5. Eat dinner before you leave home. You need a full meal in your stomach to help keep you alert and slow down the effects of the alcohol.

6. Designate a driver. If you can't find someone who's willing to stay sober, then plan on spending the night wherever you're going. And don't plan to sleep in your car! A sleeping drunk behind the wheel of a car is STILL, in the eyes of the law, a DRUNK behind the wheel of a car.

Think! Every year thousands of people are killed by drunk drivers over the New Year's holiday.
And in this area, it doesn't even have to be a holiday. And the person doing the drinking never, ever leaves the party with the intention of going out and killing someone. But it happens. And it could happen to you. And it could be one of your own family members that gets killed.

Have a safe and happy new year!

EXCLUSIVE: Augusta Attorney Accused of Sexual Incident with Teen

Authorities are investigating a report by an 18-year-old female that she was provided alcohol and marijuana by Augusta Attorney Joseph R. Neal Jr. before he "had carnal knowledge of her without her consent and against her will."

The Jail Report has obtained the incident report, which is labeled "rape" at the top and has the victim's name blacked out. (Report is pictured above - click on it to see it closer).

The teen told authorities that she was visiting Neal's home on 2240 Kings Way on the evening of Dec. 16 when "she was given 4 to 5 alcohol drinks and marijuana, causing her to become intoxicated," the report says.

The woman then claims Neal sexually assaulted her during her intoxicated state. The woman described Neal as an "acquaintance."

After being questioned about the allegations by The Jail Report, sheriff's Capt. Scott Peebles confirmed the investigation today and provided the report. "The case is being investigated and will be forwarded to the District Attorney for review," Capt. Peebles said in an email that contained the report.

The Jail Report left messages for Neal on two phones today and did not receive an immediate response from the 43-year-old attorney.

The allegations were made just before Neal's wife, Caroline, 23, was arrested for a domestic assault at the same house on Dec. 21. In that case, Mr. Neal told authorities his wife accidentally closed the door on his head after an argument, a report says. Mr. Neal then claims the argument escalated and Mrs. Neal "hit and scratched" him repeatedly in front of Mr. Neal's 13-year-old son. She also allegedly punched her glass French door and kicked in the plate glass window on the front door, causing deep cuts to her own leg.

A deputy observed scratches to Mr. Neal's right forearm and left bicep as well as a red mark on his chest and back.

Mrs. Neal was treated for her cuts at Trinity Hospital and then charged with simple battery - family violence. She was featured in this week's edition of The Jail Report under the name "Caroline Caldwell."

Richardson Family Statement: 'Words Cannot Express'

RICHARDSON FAMILY STATEMENT: The following statement was just released by the family of slain Officer Scotty Richardson: "Words cannot adequately express the love and support our family has felt since our Scotty was called home to be with his Lord and Savior in the early morning of December 21st. The Aiken community has been with us every step.

The acts of kindness have ranged from cleaning our yard, erecting tents so that family and friends would not be subjected to the elements, helping with the children, clothing family members for the funeral, and providing food. We have not wanted for anything.

It is always dangerous when you start publicly thanking people because you do not want to leave anyone out, but we must say “Thank You” to the staff at O’Charley’s and Houndslake Country Club. On Christmas night, these folks prepared a wonderful meal for our family. The reason we mention this is because a lot of us had not left the house since December 21st. We were able to gather in a private setting and enjoy Christmas as a family.

Throughout this ordeal the support from the Aiken Department of Public Safety (ADPS) and other representatives from the City of Aiken has been overwhelming. You should know that Scotty would be proud, but he would also be embarrassed by all of the fuss over him. To his brothers and sisters at ADPS, you are always welcome in our home and we count it an honor to call you family.

Scotty’s funeral service was conducted in a very regal manner. Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home, you were caring and compassionate during this entire process. When we arrived at the Convocation Center, the sight of all of the public safety personnel was jaw-dropping, but we were equally astounded when we began our journey to Bethany Cemetery seeing the citizens lining the streets while braving the windy conditions.

We have many friends that have been with us during this trying time and all we can say is “Thank You!” We would have never made it without you. As the days, weeks, and months pass, please keep us in your prayers because only time will heal this deep wound.

In closing, it is our hope that Scotty did not die in vain. Let’s all reach out to the children of our community and make sure that they stay on the right path. Encourage and love them because that is what Scotty would do.

God Bless,
The Richardson Family"