Repeat Property Crimes Offender

(Walhalla, SC).  On April 18, 2023 William David Gunn broke into the residence of the late Peggy Shaw with the intent to steal items that remained inside.  Senior Assistant Solicitor Beth Blundy showed the jury the numerous tools he used to break inside including a crowbar and screwdriver.  Thanks to the swift response of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office F. Sgt Alexander and deputy Josh Entsminger decided to make entry into the home with the assistance of K9 Coss and Officer Shedd of the Walhalla PD.  The Defendant was found alone in the residence.  He was convicted of Burglary 2nd Degree Violent, Possession of Tools in the Commission of a Crime, Resisting Arrest, and Malicious Injury Real Property and sentenced to 17 years.

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25 YEAR SENTENCE FOR REPEAT DRUG OFFENDER

(Anderson, SC). Savayea Antwan Glenn was tried and found guilty by a jury Wednesday in Anderson County General Sessions Court of Trafficking in Crack Cocaine. The Honorable Judge Lawton McIntosh sentenced him to twenty-five years in prison. The State was represented by Senior Assistant Solicitor Danny Fulmer.

On May 24, 2020, Anderson County Deputy J.C. Smith was responding to a call at 3300 Abbeville Highway in reference to an intoxicated male who was harassing customers and employees. Incident to arrest Glenn was found to be in possession of 72 grams of crack cocaine.

Special thanks to Sr. Assistant Solicitor Danny Fulmer and Deputy J.C. Smith of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol for her assistance in securing the conviction on this case.

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ALDRICH SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR MURDER

December 9, 2021

(Anderson, SC) Yesterday in Anderson County General Sessions Court defendant Bradley Aldrich entered a Guilty but Mentally Ill plea to 2 counts of Murder, 1 count of Attempted Murder, and 2 counts of Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.  The Honorable Judge Lawton McIntosh sentenced Aldrich to 40 years.  

Just after 1 am on May 6, 2018, Aldrich shot at Shane Massey several times hitting him in the chest with a .22 caliber handgun.  The two were acquainted through mutual drug use, and Massey is a convicted drug dealer.  According to witnesses, Aldrich was using drugs at the time of the incident and spoke of two devils living inside him.  Aldrich fled the scene of the shooting and Massey was treated for his injuries.

Several hours later, Aldrich’s mother and grandmother were found deceased at a home they shared at 110 Overbrook Street.  Aldrich had been living in a tent behind this residence.  Aldrich’s cousin found both bodies in a bedroom. Theresa Wright, age 50, the Defendant’s mother, was lying on the floor.  She had been beaten, stabbed, strangled, and shot.  His grandmother, Judith Calvert, 79, was lying in bed. She had been stabbed and shot.  Both victims had methamphetamine in their systems at the time of their death, according to toxicology reports.  

The Defendant was initially arrested for the attempted murder of Shane Massey, and then questioned about the murders of his mother and grandmother. He at first blamed Massey for the murders and claimed this is why he had shot Massey.  He claimed that he had been “looking for Lucifer” after shooting methamphetamine and cocaine all day, and he had only found his mother and grandmother dead.  He went on to say that if the police were to find his DNA though then he was the one who did it.  The DNA of the Defendant was located in fingernail scrapings from both victims, which is typically indicative of a struggle. The jeans the Defendant was wearing when he was arrested also had the blood of both victims on them.  

Solicitor David Wagner said this, following the sentencing:  “Drug use is the genesis of so many crimes of violence in the Upstate and in our Country.  I hope that drug users in Anderson County will see the lessons in this tragic matter and change their behavior before it is too late for them, and they too wind up hurting or killing someone they love.  This is a pattern we are seeing all too often.  I am grateful for the hard work done by Sgt. Jeff Finley with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and by my Deputy Solicitor Catherine Huey, who secured these convictions and sentence.” 

Solicitor David Wagner said this, following the sentencing:  “Drug use is the genesis of so many crimes of violence in the Upstate and in our Country.  I hope that drug users in Anderson County will see the lessons in this tragic matter and change their behavior before it is too late for them, and they too wind up hurting or killing someone they love.  This is a pattern we are seeing all too often.  I am grateful for the hard work done by Sgt. Jeff Finley with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and by my Deputy Solicitor Catherine Huey, who secured these convictions and sentence.” 

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OCONEE MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR KIDNAPPING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

(Walhalla, SC) On Monday, July 26, 2021, after the jury had been seated and the trial was to begin, Tristan Young pled guilty to two violent crimes -Domestic Violence 1st Degree and Kidnapping.  The Honorable R. Scott Sprouse imposed a sentence of 17 years on Kidnapping and the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the Domestic Violence 1st Degree charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Senior Assistant Solicitor Bethany Blundy presented the State’s case which occurred during the week of March 16 through March 20, 2020.  During the week-long episode, Young held the female victim against her will, duct taping her and shoving socks into her mouth to muffle her cries for help as he whipped her with a broomstick and burned her back.  The victim was finally able to text family members and tell them to call the police. A family member then went to the location and transported the victim to safety. She was seen at the ER where her injuries were treated. Oconee County Sheriff’s Officers Master Deputy Scealf, Deputy Trace Smith and Lt. Kevin Cain responded and investigated the case, arresting the defendant.

“Law enforcement’s quick response and investigation helped preserve vital information which led to the defendant’s arrest and conviction, allowing the victim in this case to see justice served,” stated Solicitor David Wagner.  

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Decota Castle Brown Found Guilty of Murder in Oconee County

After three days of testimony, an Oconee County jury found Decota Castle Brown guilty today in the death of his grandmother, Geraldine Castle, in March of 2019. The State was represented by Deputy Solicitor Jason Alderman and Sr. Assistant Solicitor Blair Stoudemire. The Honorable Perry Gravely sentenced Brown to 50 years for Murder, 15 years for Burglary 1st degree, and 5 years for Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, with each sentence to be served consecutively. The defendant will not be eligible for parole.

On March 7, 2019, the defendant, Decota Castle Brown, and an accomplice entered the home of Brown’s parents with the intent to commit a burglary and steal firearms. Upon finding Brown’s grandmother in the home, Brown shot her three times. Mrs. Castle died four days later as a result of the gunshot wounds. Mrs. Castle was 73 years old. Brown and his accomplice were arrested two days after the shooting.

After the trial, Solicitor David Wagner stated, “This was a brutal crime made even more so by the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. We want to thank the Seneca Police Department for their investigation and the jury for bringing this man to justice.”

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JUDGE SENTENCES CHILD MOLESTER TO 65 YEARS IN PRISON

(Walhalla, SC) Yesterday in Oconee County, Michael Kenneth Cox entered a plea of guilty in General Sessions Court to one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree, with a Minor Under Eleven.  Judge Lawton McIntosh imposed a sentence of 65 years in prison. Mr. Cox will not be eligible for parole.  

On December 10th, 2020, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault in Walhalla. During the investigation officers recovered video evidence of Mr. Cox having intercourse with a minor child under the age of 11. Mr. Cox fled the scene while officers were in route and was apprehended early the next morning. When confronted with the evidence against him, Mr. Cox acknowledged to law enforcement that he had assaulted the child, and that he had struggled with an attraction to children for some time.  

Following sentencing, Solicitor David Wagner remarked: “This was a horrendous crime perpetrated against a truly innocent and defenseless victim. We are grateful for the hard work of the Walhalla Police Department in bringing Michael Cox to justice, and grateful to the Court for a sentence which insures he will never have the opportunity to harm a child again.” 

 

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REPEAT OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND PROPERTY OFFENSES

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, after an Oconee County jury had been empaneled and his trial about to begin, 41 year old Derek Wayne Gibson of Westminster pled guilty to Trafficking Methamphetamine 2nd offense, Burglary 3rd degree, and Grand Larceny.  The Honorable R. Scott Sprouse imposed a sentence of 15 years.  Mr. Gibson will not be eligible for parole.

“Special thanks to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant Solicitor Jason Alderman for their dedicated work in this case,” stated Solicitor David Wagner.  “Mr. Gibson is a repeat drug offender with an extensive criminal history.  My office will continue to focus on repeat offenders in our community and strive to ensure that such behavior will have substantial consequences.”

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PELFREY SENTENCED IN FELONY DUI CASE IN OCONEE

(Walhalla, SC). Mr. Robert Pelfrey plead guilty today to Felony Driving Under the Influence with Death and Grand Larceny.  He was sentenced by the Honorable Cordell Maddox to 15 years in prison on the Felony Driving Under the Influence with death and a consecutive 5 years in prison, suspended to 5 years’ probation on the Grand Larceny charge with court ordered restitution and drug/alcohol counseling.  He will not be eligible for parole.  The State was represented by Assistant Solicitor Bethany Blundy and the Defendant was represented by attorney David Plowden.

On March 16, 2019, Robert Pelfrey stole a car from a driveway in the City of Walhalla and proceeded to drive recklessly within the city while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  He subsequently struck another vehicle carrying innocent bystanders, severely injuring the vehicle’s driver and causing the death of the passenger. 

Solicitor David Wagner said “Special thanks to the Walhalla Police Department for their quick response and thorough investigation that led to the defendant’s arrest and conviction in this case.  This is truly a senseless tragedy.  It is my only hope that the substantial prison sentence levied by Judge Maddox in this case will give the victim’s family some measure of peace and send a message to our community of the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.”

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REPEAT OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

On Tuesday, October 13th, an Oconee County jury deliberated less than one hour before convicting 41 year old Gary Martin Wirtz of Trafficking Methamphetamine 3rd offense and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.  The Honorable Letitia H. Verdin imposed a sentence of 25 years.  Mr. Wirtz will not be eligible for parole.

Wirtz’s charges stemmed from a July 2019 encounter with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office where he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, a loaded firearm, and drug paraphernalia.

“This was the first trial in the 10th Judicial Circuit that was authorized by South Carolina Court Administration since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March.  The Oconee County Clerk of Court’s Office worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of all parties so that this trial could proceed,” stated Solicitor David Wagner.  “Special thanks to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work in this case.  Mr. Wirtz is a career criminal and repeat drug offender.  Today’s sentence sends a strong message to repeat offenders in our community that their behavior has serious consequences.”

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MERRIWEATHER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON

Kelvin Merriweather pled guilty to ABHAN in front of the Honorable J. Cordell Maddox, Jr. and received a sentence of 20 years provided upon the service of 10 years active time and followed by 5 years of probation.  The defendant will receive credit for the 404 days he has already served in jail.   Assault and Battery of High and Aggravated Nature is classified as both a Violent and Serious offense, and is not parole eligible. 

This charge originated on November 18, 2018 when the victim was leaving her home in her vehicle and she was approached by the defendant in this case.  They had never met before this incident.  The defendant told the victim he was looking for her husband.  He asked her to call her husband for him, which she did, but her husband did not answer the phone.  The defendant then became agitated and began to reach into the victim’s vehicle.  The victim put her vehicle in reverse and accelerated toward the roadway, but the defendant began to fire at her vehicle, striking her in her right hand and injuring her.  The victim then drove herself to the hospital.  She identified the defendant in a 6 person photo lineup and following his arrest the defendant confessed to the incident.  All of this occurred within Anderson County. 

Investigator Kenny Pigman with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office headed this investigation, and Senior Assistant Solicitor Lauren Davis Price handled the proceedings in Court for the State. 

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