10th Circuit Solicitor

(Anderson, SC). Thirty-nine year old Chad E. Cooper pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to failure to register as a sex offender, 3rd offense. The Honorable Thomas Hughston, Jr. sentenced Cooper to 5 years suspended to 3 years in prison with 2 years’ probation to follow.

Cooper was placed on the sex offender registry following a kidnapping conviction in 2000. “In order to keep the community informed and as safe as possible, it is critical that sex offenders who have been released from prison register,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “When a sex offender refuses to follow this law we will prosecute.”

(Anderson, SC). Jared Michael Williams pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to 3 counts of murder, 4 counts of attempted murder, armed robbery, grand larceny, carjacking and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The Honorable Letitia Verdin sentenced Williams to 3 consecutive life terms. 

On March 5, 2014, Williams shot and killed Victor Vandergrift, Hank Eaton and Wanda Anderson while at the home of one of the victims in Pelzer. The defendant fled the scene in a truck belonging to Ms. Anderson. Officers from Anderson County pursued Williams in a high-speed chase which crossed over into Greenville County. Greenville County officers joined in the pursuit. The defendant fired shots at the officers and then abandoned the stolen truck. As he ran from the abandoned truck, Williams approached a woman and her child and demanded the keys. The mother immediately threw herself over her child. The defendant then ran onto a construction site where he stole another truck and fled as officers once again pursued him. During the pursuit, Williams sideswiped another car and then crashed the truck into a house, knocking it off the foundation.  He was then taken into custody.  

“Our hearts go out to the family members who lost loved ones as well as those who survived this horrible ordeal,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “These crimes most certainly would qualify for the death penalty which is a very long and arduous process. Although their lives have been irreparably damaged by the acts of Jared Williams, the survivors will be able to begin the healing process by the acceptance of the imposition of 3 life sentences.”

November 7, 2014

(Walhalla, SC.) On October 23, 2014, Caleb Nathanael Linart was charged with the murder of Alana Carpenter. The initial autopsy showed evidence of strangulation which led to the arrest of Linart for the murder.  However, based on recent toxicology results, the final cause of death has been ruled a drug overdose.  

Based on these results, the murder charge has been dismissed and Mr. Linart has now been charged with attempted murder.  As this investigation is still ongoing, no further information is available at this time.  

November 7, 2014

(Walhalla, SC.) On October 23, 2014, Caleb Nathanael Linart was charged with the murder of Alana Carpenter. The initial autopsy showed evidence of strangulation which led to the arrest of Linart for the murder.  However, based on recent toxicology results, the final cause of death has been ruled a drug overdose.  

Based on these results, the murder charge has been dismissed and Mr. Linart has now been charged with attempted murder.  As this investigation is still ongoing, no further information is available at this time.  

(Walhalla, SC.) Steven Ranslow Allison was found guilty by an Oconee County jury Tuesday of Distribution of Methamphetamine, 3rd Offense. The Honorable Roger Couch sentenced Allison to 25 years in prison.

On July 15, 2013, narcotics agents with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office made a controlled buy to purchase methamphetamine from Steven Allison. The Anderson/Oconee Regional Forensics Lab confirmed that the substance which was purchased was meth. The sale of the drugs by the defendant was vencaptured on both video and audio surveillance. 

“The defendant will now spend the next quarter of a century in prison, as he should,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “This is his third offense. It is clear that habitual offenders such as Allison are a true menace to our society and lack any regard for the tremendous toll these drugs take on our community. We are very happy with the verdict and the sentence.”

 (Anderson, SC). Christopher Don Foster pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Child Neglect and Involuntary Manslaughter. The Honorable Brooks Goldsmith sentenced Foster to 10 years on Child Neglect and 5 years on Involuntary Manslaughter with the sentences to be served consecutively.

On June 8, 2012, 8-month old Leon Samuel Foster was at home under the care of his father, the defendant. Foster told investigators at that time that he had been feeding the child and fallen asleep. He woke up and the child had become wedged in the chair, unable to breath. The coroner, Brett Woodard, ruled the death was accidental at that time. Under SC law, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Department of Child Fatalities was contacted and the investigation continued. In February of 2013, during an interview with a SLED agent, Foster admitted to causing the death of the child and demonstrated on video how it had happened. The child had been crying for a while and Foster could not get him to stop. He pressed and held the child tightly to his chest for several minutes to stop him from crying. When he realized the child wasn’t breathing, he placed the child in his bed. When the child’s mother arrived and found the baby unresponsive, 911 was called.

“It is a parent’s sacred responsibility to care for and protect their children,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Mr. Foster clearly failed to live up to that responsibility. While nothing can bring Leon back, Judge Goldsmith’s sentence, the maximum allowed by law, ensures that justice is served.”

September 18, 2014

(Anderson, SC) . Following a day of pre-trial motions on Wednesday and in the midst of the trial, Daniel Campbell pled guilty to one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct, Third Degree with a Minor. The Honorable Donald Hocker sentenced Campbell to 10 years suspended to 5 years in prison with 2 years’ probation to follow. Campbell will be required to register as a sex offender.  

Between March 29th and April 7th of 2013, Campbell took a six year-old child into a storage shed and locked the door. The defendant then began to touch the child on the outside of her clothing and exposed himself to her. Another child was outside the shed and, although unable to enter, was able to see what happened through a crack in the door. Both children testified during pre-trial hearings and again during the trial. Campbell confessed to law enforcement.  

“Both the victim and the witness in this horrible case have been extremely brave throughout the entire investigation and court process,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The defendant’s crime was a despicable act. Thanks to the bravery of these two young girls, he will now have to accept responsibility for his actions.” 

(ANDERSON, SC). In Anderson General Sessions Court today the Honorable D. Garrison Hill sentenced Robert John Hurl on multiple charges related to the murder last July of Hurl’s estranged wife. Hurl pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 40 years for murder, 30 years each on two counts of attempted murder and 10 years for unlawful conduct towards a child. All sentences are to be served concurrently. 

On July 19, 2013, Brenda Hurl went to the home where Robert Hurl was staying to pick up the couple’s 10 year old son. An argument ensued and the child ran upstairs. The owner of the home, a friend and co-worker of the defendant’s, went downstairs to try to intervene. Hurl then shot Brenda Hurl multiple times in the head. James Jody Jones was also shot multiple times and taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital for surgery. He did survive the shooting. Hurl also shot at Jones’ girlfriend but she was uninjured. Brenda Hurl was pronounced dead at the scene. Hurl later gave a video statement to law enforcement admitting to the murder.  

“Robert Hurl violently murdered not only his estranged wife, but the mother of his own child.  His actions have left that child without a mother and inflicted great emotional trauma which no child should have to endure,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Our prayers are with the child and the other victims in this case as they recover from an incrediblyvicious crime.”

(Walhalla, SC). An Oconee County jury found 17 year-old Laquavius “Quay” Cleveland guilty today of Attempted Murder and weapons charges. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Cleveland to 22 years in prison on the Attempted Murder charge with 5 years consecutive on the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime charge.  

In July of 2013, the defendant and the victim, the defendant’s cousin, met at Cleveland’s house to discuss the purchase of a handgun and some marijuana by the defendant. The defendant got in the car with the victim to examine the gun. After looking at the gun, Cleveland got out of the car and went to the back yard to test fire the weapon. Cleveland returned the gun to the victim and then entered the house and armed himself with a knife. When he returned to the car, Cleveland began stabbing his cousin. The victim was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital where he remained for four days due to the multiple life-threatening stab wounds he received. The defendant fled the scene but was arrested later the same night. 

“The reckless actions of Laquavius Cleveland nearly resulted in the death of his cousin,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “While the defendant was 16 at the time, he committed a serious and violent crime that was deserving of today’s verdict and sentence.  Fortunately, the victim did survive and we pray for his continued recovery.”