A man arrested by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Monday was finally charged yesterday in connection with activity Monday, after spending some time in hospital. 47-year-old Joseph Wilson Parks Jr. of 2812 Torrington Road, Laurens is now charged with Kidnapping and Domestic Violence in the 2nd Degree.

Warrants cite an investigation of Deputy Hilderbrandt as indicating that on July 29th, during a kidnapping, Joseph Parks struck the victim in the face with an open hand, causing apparent injury to the victim. He is further accused of keeping the victim from leaving the room to call for help after he physically assaulted her. Mr. Parks remained in custody this morning with bonds on the two charges totaling $40,000.

A Clinton Police arrest Wednesday afternoon led to drug charges served yesterday. 48-year-old Billy Edward Leopard Jr. of 35 Brandon Road, Clinton was arrested Wednesday afternoon. Initially, Lt. Lawton issued a ticket charging Leopard with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 3:51 Wednesday afternoon at Beech and Peachtree Streets.

Warrants served yesterday added charges of Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance, allegedly having a crystal rock-type substance along with five pink pills without a prescription for them.

Billy Edward Leopard Jr. was released yesterday on personal recognizance bonds set on the three charges totaling $5,500.

Eight people are now charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 27-year-old Michelle Marie Dodge of York, whose body was found in a rural area south of Laurens on July 20th. Her car was later found near Gaffney. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has been working with authorities in Gaffney and elsewhere in this case. Statements indicate Michelle Dodge was brought to Gaffney where she was kidnapped and murdered, then her body was left at a rural Laurens County site.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday announced that a total of eight people now charged in this case. The Sheriff said that more arrests will follow, noting that some of the individuals involved are already in custody in other jurisdictions on unrelated charges.

Those charged include a James Robert Peterson, who is currently in Prison, serving a 30-year sentence for another murder. Sheriff Reynolds stated they have evidence which indicates Peterson orchestrated Ms. Dodge’s murder from prison. James Robert Peterson is being charged with Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping regarding the death of Ms. Dodge.

Others now charged include Aaron Carrion, who is in custody in Sumter, SC. Carrion is charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime, Kidnapping and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping.

Aaron Sprouse is in custody in Cherokee County. He is charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon during a Violent crime, Kidnapping and Conspiracy to commit Kidnapping.

Three women have also been charged in connection with Ms. Dodge’s death. Charged with Kidnapping and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping are Lisa Marie Bolton, Lisa Marie Costello and Catherine Ross. Lisa Marie Bolton was reportedly in custody in North Carolina as of Wednesday. Lisa Marie Costello and Catherine Ross were in custody in Cherokee County. Ms. Ross is also charged with a third offense, Accessory After the Fact to Kidnapping.

As reported earlier this week, Billy Wayne Ruppe and Brandon Lee Phillips of Gaffney are in custody here in Laurens County. Both are charged with Criminal Conspiracy in the Kidnapping and Death of Michelle Dodge. Phillips is also charged with Accessory Before the Fact to Murder while Ruppe is charged with Accessory After the Face to Murder.

Sheriff Reynolds said, “I want to thank our Investigators, as well as the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies for all of their hard work and dedication during this investigation. Both of our offices worked around the clock to bring justice to this senseless act of violence.”

The Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Robert Wade Black of 59 Hermon Hix Road, Waterloo Saturday on a Possession of a Stolen Vehicle charge. He’s accused of having a 2007 GMC Denali valued at $8,800 on July 28th, having reason to know it was stolen. Black was held with bond set at $8,000.

Charges of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent have been charged on two people for alleged possession of a 2000 Ford Mustang last Thursday.

40-year-old Christina Michelle Tumlin of 480 Shiloh Estates Road, Gray Court was also charged with being in Possession of less than One Gram of Meth. Tickets were also issued charging her with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Simple Possession of Marijuana at 4:06 Thursday afternoon on Burdette Road at Darby Circle. She was released on posting bonds totaling $8,115.

72-year-old Walter Mack Edwards of 129 Pasture Drive, Gray Court was released after posting a $2,000 bond on the Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent warrant.

Saturday, Clinton Police arrested 58-year-old Dawn Galloway Guerra of 201 Hampton Avenue, Clinton and charged her with 2nd Degree Domestic Violence and Violation of a Court Order of Protection. She’s accused of assaulting her husband with a wooden stick, causing lacerations to his forearm, leg and hand along with bruising to his torso and marks on his face. Warrants state the two are married and living together, but also that she is in violation of a court-order of protection for the victim. She remained in custody this morning with an $8,000 bond set on the Domestic Violence charge.

Meth Possession with Intent was alleged with a Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrest last Friday. 36-year-old John Darryl Mitchell Jr. of 437 Cain Road, Laurens was charged with 2nd offense Distribution of Meth and with 3rd Degree Domestic Violence.

He’s accused of having 1.1 gram of methamphetamine crystal-like shards on the driver’s seat and floorboard where he was sitting at time of a traffic stop Friday.

The 3rd Degree Domestic Violence warrant accuses him of grabbing a victim around the neck and pushing her on April 4th, causing red marks on her body.

Traffic, Drug and Firearms charges were served by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office after yesterday’s arrest of 23-year-old Malcolm Jamar Fuller of 738 Woodberry Drive, Laurens. He’s charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Possession of a Narcotic, Simple Possession of Marijuana and Driving under the Influence.

Warrants citing an investigation by Deputy Lee allege that Mr. Fuller yesterday knowingly and intentionally possessed 39 blue, round pills identified as Oxycodone, a schedule 2 controlled substance, plus ten grams of a green leafy plant identified as marijuana and also that he unlawfully carried a pistol, all in a vehicle in which he was a front passenger seat occupant. A ticket further alleges Fuller was Driving under the Influence at 4:04 Sunday morning.

Malcolm Jamar Fuller was released later in the day Sunday on posting bonds totaling $11,607.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office had a drug distribution charge for a man arrested yesterday. 23-year-old Christopher T. McDowell-Johnson of an apartment at 116 Garlilngton Street, Laurens is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and with Simple Possession of Marijuana.

He’s accused of being in possession yesterday on 31 dosage units of MDMA/Ecstasy with Intent to Distribute. An investigation of Deputy Hampton also indicates possession of 1.8 grams of marijuana.

Christopher T. McDowell-Johnson was held overnight, awaiting arraignment on the charges.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people Saturday on drug charges as well as Forgery. All three are accused of willfully possessing a counterfeit $100 bill that appears to have been purchased from the internet. Each was also charged with Possession of Meth or LSD with Intent to Distribute, accused of having 3.6 grams of illegal substance in the Cross Hill area.

56-year-old David Lynn Jones of 1818 Pineland Shores Circle, Cross Hill was being held with bonds totaling $55,000 on the two charges.

26-year-old Amber Nichole Perry of 707 Mason Road, Chesnee remained in custody this morning with cash or surety bonds totaling $36,000.

29-year-old Charles Monroe Jones was booked with an address on Red Devil Road, Cross Hill. A Pauline address was noted in tickets issued. They alleged additional offenses at 2:45 Friday afternoon on Highway 39, Cross Hill. In addition to Driving under Suspension and other traffic charges, along with Violation of a Noise Ordinance, Charles Jones is also charged with Possession of Adulterants intended to Defeat Urine Tests.

All three defendants remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

City and County charges have been served on a man arrested by Laurens Police yesterday. They’ve charged 40-year-old Jeremy Olin Calvert of 385 Warrior Creek Church Road, Gray Court with Possession of Meth with Intent to Distribute and Failure to Stop for Blue Lights. That’s one of the charges also issued by the Sheriff’s Office.

Warrants citing Laurens City Detective Cheek state that Calvert possessed about 8.1 grams of a gray powder substance that field bested positive for meth yesterday on Hunter Industrial Park Road. A second warrant states that Calvert failed to stop yesterday when signaled by a Laurens Police vehicle with blue light and siren, aggressively accelerating his vehicle to evade law enforcement.

Bonds on the two Laurens City charges total $60,000.

The Sheriff’s charge of Failure to Stop accuses Jeremy Calvert of failing to stop for a Deputy’s vehicle July 17th, allegedly turning off his lights and increasing speed to avoid contact after Deputy Kanipe initiated a traffic stop on Warrior Creek Church Road. A Sheriff’s Grand Larceny warrant alleges that between July 20th and 31st Calvert took a 2011 Nissan Altima with intent to deprive the owner of the $7,000 valued vehicle.

Jeremy Olin Calvert was expected to have a bond hearing on the county charges today.

Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds has issued a statement regarding the arrest of a minister on a Sex Offender Violation charge. 56 Henry Leon  Mastin II of Hunters Pond Drive, Columbia was arrested last Thursday and accused of failing to register with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office that date.

The Sheriff’s report indicates that several members of the Bethlehem Grove Baptist Church near Clinton came to the Sheriff’s Office to voice their concerns about the pastor of the church, Henry Masten II. A Sheriff’s Investigation reportedly determined that Masten is a tier III registered sex offender from out of Richland County, and that he had not registered his employment in Laurens County with the Laurens or Richland County Sheriff’s Offices, therefore a warrant for his arrest was issued for failure to register. Masten was arrested at the church Thursday without incident. The Sheriff states Masten has a conviction in Ohio of “Gross Sexual Imposition” and a conviction in Richland County, SC for Burglary 2nd Degree.

Sheriff Reynolds said, “This type of incident is concerning. All calls for service are taken seriously and handled professionally. This office responds to all types of calls and handles them appropriately, regardless of who is involved. We serve and protect fairly and impartially in our actions.”

Henry Masten II was released from the Johnson Detention Center on posting a $2,000 bond.

Laurens County’s local news media, including WLBG, have been reporting lately on an effort by Rock Hill and Greer utilities to change the way the ten cities of the PMPA share their parts of the cost of operating the Catawba Nuclear Station near Charlotte. Some proposals, if approved, could reportedly cause electric rates for smaller cities like Laurens and Clinton to go up 20 to 30%. The PMPA board has not yet made a decision about this matter.

Clinton City Manager Bill Ed Cannon has issued a statement on the matter. He said, “Contrary to local rumor, the City of Clinton electricity rates charged to its customers remains stable. Furthermore, rates have not gone up for the last five years and should not go up in the near future under the current rate structure, as agreed upon by all ten member cities of Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA).”

Mr. Cannon commented about new rate models presented to the PMPA board, noting, “This topic will be explored further at the August board meeting for all ten PMPA member cities, of which Clinton is a member. One of the five potential rate models PROPOSE a rate increase for several cities including Clinton, but any changes would have to be studied further and agreed upon by the ten-member board.” Cannon states another workshop scenario presented would leave rate structures as they are currently. The WORKSHOP options were presented to assist the board in preparation

for future cost allocation.” Cannon concluded, “The City of Clinton is committed to keeping rates as low as possible for its customers.”

Recently riding another man’s motorcycle is alleged with a Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrest yesterday. 26-year-old Chad Everett Teasley of 359 Finley Circle, Mountville was charged with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent. A warrant cites an investigation by Deputy Perry as indicating that on July 29th in Laurens County Mr. Teasley committed the crime of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent valued at between $2,000 and $10,000. Teasley is accused of using or driving a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle belonging to another man with the intent to deprive him, temporarily or otherwise, of the property. Chad Everett Teasley was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing on the charge.

The State Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon yesterday charged an Anderson County woman with absconding supervision from her probationary release on a Laurens County case. 58-year-old Patricia Edgins Bush of 4015 Shady Grove Road, Honea Path is charged with Violation of Probation.

The warrant cited alleged failures as a willful violation that constitutes the offender having absconded from supervision. These allegedly include failing to report as instructed after her release, changing her residence without notifying or receiving consent from her Supervising Agent, being behind on required payments and by failing to follow the advice and instructions of her Supervising Agent.

Patricia E. Bush was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing.

Presbyterian College President Bob Staton has announced a new Director of Athletics for PC. Robert Acunto brings more than 20 years of intercollegiate athletic experience to the position. He most recently served as senior associate athletic director for development and external relations at the University of Texas at El Paso. President Staton said, “We are excited that Rob is bringing his broad base of experience and leadership to the PC athletic program.”

While with UT-El Paso. Acunto led and coordinated all external relations for the intercollegiate athletic department. He managed all departments that focused on athletic development, broadcasting, marketing and promotions, season ticketing, and graphic design and video production. He also supervised the football and men’s golf programs. Of his new position, Acunto said, “The opportunity at PC fits what I’ve been looking for. I’m excited about serving as the athletic director at a small, private liberal arts college that has an outstanding academic program.” He thanked President Staton and the search committee for the opportunity to serve on PC’s leadership team and help execute the “Promise of PC.”

Acunto served in the athletic department at The Citadel for eight years before his tenure at UT El Paso. He became the assistant athletic director for compliance and academic services at The Citadel in 2010 before ultimately serving as interim director of athletics from December 2017 to July 2018.

As interim AD, he served on The Citadel’s executive leadership team and financial review board and led the intercollegiate athletic department. He also helped develop the initial draft of a comprehensive six-year strategic plan focused on cadet-student-athlete development and academic achievement, competitive excellence, and fiscal sustainability.

Before The Citadel, he served as assistant commissioner for business and internal operations for the Atlantic 10 Conference. For more than five years, he served as  assistant and associate director of athletics for compliance at American University in Washington, DC. While at American University, he also served a year as interim director of athletics and recreation.

Acunto graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He earned a Master of Education from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. His wife, Jennifer, in an Operating Room Nurse.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) yesterday served assault charges on two Security Officers, accusing them of entering into a residence here in Laurens County without authority on New Year’s Day.

27-year-old Cody John Carroll of Sudlow Lake Road, Greenville and 32-year-old Tyler Ryan Patterson of Riverbend Drive, Beech Island, SC were charged with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree.

In warrants, SLED agent Nicholas C. Parker states that this occurred on January 1st, 2019. Mr. Carroll is accused of intentionally committed battery upon the victim by grabbing, pulling and pinning him on a couch after entering a residence without legal authority, while working in his official capacity as a security officer. Agent Parker states that Mr. Patterson

intentionally committed battery upon the victim by shoving him into a wall, allegedly entering a residence without legal authority, while working in his official capacity as a security officer.

Cody John Carroll and Tyler Ryan Patterson were being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing.

Coincidentally, the victim of these alleged assaults had been arrested by a local law enforcement agency Sunday and served with two warrants alleging drug violations here in Laurens County. He was released from the Johnson Detention Center yesterday.

Construction of buildings on “speculation” that a company will purchase them to more quickly open a new industrial project has been responsible for several new industries in Laurens County in recent years. Construction of the City of Clinton’s third “Spec Building” is one step closer to reality, following last night’s City Council Meeting. Marvin Moss, Director of the Clinton Economic Development Corporation, spoke to council at their August meeting in the M.S. Bailey Municipal Center. He asked council to approve a resolution supporting the CEDC applying for an economic development loan from Santee Cooper Corporation.  The CEDC has used loans from Santee Cooper to construct the city’s first two spec buildings.  The first of those buildings was sold in late 2017 to General Electric while the second is nearing completion now.

The loans incur no interest for the first three years and require no payment at all for the first year.  Their use has allowed the city of Clinton to move much faster in constructing spec buildings than would have been possible otherwise.

Mr. Moss told council he would like a resolution supporting a loan of $4.9 Million although he said he hoped the project would cost considerably less than that.  He said this will allow him to construct a 50,000 square foot building as has been discussed or a 60,000 square foot building.

After his presentation, council voted unanimously to approve the resolution as requested.

As for the second spec building now nearing completion, Marvin Moss said that four prospects have expressed interest and one appears to be close to making the decision to purchase the building.  He told WLBG that the chance for a sale to that prospect very soon is in excess of 80%.

Three people were served with Firearms charges yesterday following arrest in separate cases.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office charged 40-year-old Dustin Allen Hyatt of 309 Oba Road, Greenville with Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Violent Felony. A warrant cites an investigation of Deputy Gary as indicating that on August 6th in Laurens County Hyatt committed the crime of being a felon, convicted of a violent crime, who was in possession of a shotgun. With a cash or surety bond set at $4,000, Dustin Allen Hyatt remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Early yesterday morning, Clinton Police arrested 31-year-old Gregory Lamar “Greg” Cullen of 162 Cypress Street, Clinton. Lt. Cathy Anderson was noted as prosecuting officer in warrants charging Mr. Cullen with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Cullen is accused of carrying about his person a concealed, loaded .380 caliber Ruger handgun in Clinton early yesterday. He is further accused of having in his possession a glass pipe with methamphetamine residue. “Greg” Cullen was released later yesterday after posting cash or surety bonds totaling $2,000.

An incident from early July was noted yesterday with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrest of 55-year-old Donald Austin Gronachan of 1487 Bethel Church Road, Laurens. He’s charged with Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person. A warrant cites the investigation of Deputy Anderson as indicating that on July 9th Mr. Gronachan did unlawfully and not in self-defense present a BB gun as a real firearm and pointed it at a victim, causing that person to fear for his safety.  This reportedly occurred at a neighbor’s address. Mr. Gronachan was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing.

A focus on fresh fruits and vegetables for Ford School children is noted with a grant from the South Carolina Department of Education. A District 55 statement indicates that this if a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program sub- grant for the 2019-2020 school year.

The goal of this program is to create a healthier school environment by providing healthier food choices. This program is seen as an essential catalyst for change in efforts to combat childhood obesity by helping children learn more healthful eating habits.

Ford Elementary will focus on promoting fruits and vegetables and healthy lifestyles to their students. The grant will provide students the opportunity to try new and different types of fruits and vegetables. Ford Elementary will offer special fruits and vegetables two to three days a week as mid-morning or mid-afternoon snacks.

Laurens County School District 55 Director of Student Nutrition Services, Wanda Knight, said, “The grant is a great way to introduce all Ford Elementary students to a variety of fruits and vegetables.”

Ford Elementary will look to develop additional partnerships at the state and local level for support in implementing and operating this program. The

program will begin when students come back to school on Monday, August 19th and is to continue until the end of April, 2020.