Walhalla, SC– On November 21, 2019, Steven Reynolds, age 20 of 3 Padgett Street, Seneca, pled guilty to two counts of murder, armed robbery, and malicious injury to personal property. He was sentenced by the Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh to 35 years in prison. He will not be eligible for parole.
On September 10, 2018, the Defendant did shoot and kill Timothy Caldwell and David Thomas Tranah during the course of an armed robbery. Prior to the killings, the defendant did also shoot an unoccupied vehicle belonging to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office causing damage in an amount between $2000-$10,000.
The incident in question occurred in an area of Seneca known as “The Compound”. This is an area known to law enforcement as a hotbed of criminal activity, specifically significant drug, theft, and homeless activity. The Defendant was well known to those who frequented “The Compound” and had a longstanding relationship with victim Caldwell. At the time of this incident, both victims were reportedly staying at “The Compound”. Multiple statements indicated that the Defendant had gone to “The Compound” to collect something victim Caldwell owed him, which is speculated to be a drug related debt. The Defendant fled the scene after this incident and was apprehended by law enforcement at an Oconee residence the next day.
Solicitor David R. Wagner said “I would like to commend the combined efforts of our office and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office to secure this lengthy prison sentence for Steven Reynolds. Today’s outcome ensures our community will not be endangered by Mr. Reynolds for decades to come. This case highlights the violent consequences of the drug epidemic facing our communities nationwide.”