10th Circuit Solicitor

July 23, 2013

(Anderson, SC). Thirty-eight year old Renita Lee pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Child Abuse. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced her to 7 years in prison. Lee will also be placed on the Child Abuse Registry.  

On April 17, 2012, deputies responded to AnMed in reference to a two-year old being treated for suspicious injuries. The child was in the care of her step-grandmother, Renita Lee at the time of her injuries. The two-year old had a knot on her forehead and bruising around her right eye. She later underwent surgery in Greenville to relieve the swelling on her brain. 

“Renita Lee’s brutal actions against an innocent child caused substantial injury and are deserving of this significant prison sentence,” said Solicitor Adams.  “Our prayers are with the victim and her family as she continues to recover from the injuries she sustained.”

July 22, 2013

(Anderson, SC). Anthony Roy Clark pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to two counts of Assault & Battery 1^st Degree and 1 count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Clark to 10 years on each Assault & Battery, 1^st degree charge to be served consecutively and to 3 years suspended to 5 years’ probation on the Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charge. Clark will also be required to register as a sex offender.

In May of 2012, law enforcement received a report of alleged criminal sexual conduct by the defendant which took place in 2010. The incidents occurred while the victim, who was 10 years old at the time, was visiting a relative who was in a relationship with the defendant. The defendant made admissions to law enforcement regarding the incidents. 

“Anthony Clark’s actions are among the most despicable an adult can do to a child,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “With a twenty year prison sentence and a lifetime of being registered as a sex offender in front of him, it is our hope that the defendant will never again have the opportunity to be a menace to the children in our community.”

July 15, 2013

(ANDERSON, SC). Frankie Hugh Brooks, Jr. pled guilty in Anderson County General Sessions Court to multiple charges. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced the defendant to the maximum on each of the following: 20 years for Carjacking; 5 years each on two counts of Grand Larceny, 5 years each on two counts of Possession of Stolen Goods, and 3 years on Failure to Stop for Blue Light. All sentences are to be served concurrently. 

On the night of October 7, 2012, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Frankie Hugh Brooks, Jr. approached the victim at the Spinx station in Powdersville. After striking up a conversation with the victim, Brooks pulled out a 38 caliber revolver, taking the victim’s vehicle and cellphone. The vehicle was reported stolen immediately. Law enforcement later observed the car and activated the blue lights. The defendant sped away at speeds of over 100 mph. The chase came to a stop when the defendant wrecked the vehicle. The defendant was later apprehended with the assistance of tracking dogs.  

The Possession of Stolen Goods and Grand Larceny charges were all in relation to crimes committed during the period of October and November of 2011 in the Powdersville area.  

“The maximum sentence was well deserved in light of the circumstances of this crime,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Fortunately, the victim escaped unharmed and law enforcement quickly apprehended the defendant before anyone else in the community was put in danger.  With a twenty year prison sentence before him, the defendant will no longer be a threat to the citizens of Anderson.”

June 26, 2013

(Walhalla, SC). An Oconee County jury found Gregory Lee Murphy guilty today of Distribution of Methamphetamines, 2^nd offense. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Murphy to 25 years suspended on the service of 90 months followed by 5 years probation.

On August 8, 2012, Murphy sold methamphetamine to an undercover informant operating at the direction of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. The sale took place at a home on Durham Brown Road in the Friendship community of Oconee County. The entire transaction was captured on digital video with audio and was shown to the jury as evidence at trial. Murphy had previously been convicted of possession of methamphetamines in 2004.

“Meth is a highly addictive and destructive drug,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Combating the distribution of meth in our community is an important priority and today’s guilty verdict will help in that effort by putting a repeated drug offender in prison.  This verdict means there is now one less source in Oconee for criminals to buy meth.”

June 24, 2013

(Anderson, SC). Travon Mack-Haymond pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions court to Voluntary Manslaughter in the death of Yusef Jenkins in 2011. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced the defendant to 15 years in prison.

On March 25, 2011 Travon Mack-Haymond was visiting Pamela Brownlee’s residence at her invitation. Yusef Jenkins came to the residence of Ms. Brownlee, the mother of one of his children. Witnesses stated that Jenkins and Mack-Haymond argued and Jenkins punched the defendant in the face. Mack-Haymond then pulled a 9 mm handgun and shot Jenkins 5 times resulting in Mr. Jenkins’ death.

“The death of Yusef Jenkins was a tragedy that greatly impacted the lives of his family members. They expressed this to me when we met with them and to the Judge today during sentencing,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “The decision to allow Travon Mack-Haymond to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a 15 year prison sentence came only after a thorough review of all the facts of the case, the evidence, witness statements and the autopsy results. We feel that the facts and circumstances support the state’s negotiation results. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Yusef Jenkins.”

June 6, 2013

(Anderson, SC). Raymondeze Rivera was sentenced to life in prison today by the Honorable Lawton McIntosh for the murder of Kwana Burns in December of 2006. Rivera was convicted in 2008 for the murder of Asha Wiley and was tried in 2010 for the murder of Kwana Burns. The conviction in the 2010 case was overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

“Raymondeze Rivera is a violent and dangerous man who has shown no remorse for his crimes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “It is disappointing that a South Carolina Supreme Court poverturned Rivera’s previous death penalty conviction.  I am confident that if we took this case to trial again, we would secure another death penalty verdict.  Many factors, however, go in to the decision of whether or not to proceed with a new trial and our primary concern is what is best for the victim’s family.  After lengthy discussions with the family, we have mutually agreed that the emotional burden of a new trial would be too great and the best course is a guilty plea that ensures Rivera will never again be a free man.  It is my hope that today’s plea will help the family to continue to heal from the loss of Kwana Burns and keep them from having to ever again see the inside of a courtroom.” 

May 15, 2013

(Anderson, SC). An Anderson County jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Andrew Clemons of molesting an 8-year old girl several times over a period of months in 2009 and 2010. Clemons was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, First Degree which carries a sentence of 25 years to life, as well as Lewd Act on a Minor which carries a sentence of up to 15 years. Both charges require that Clemons be listed on the Sex Offender Registry. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh issued a bench warrant for Clemons on Monday due to the defendant’s failure to appear in court for his trial. Because the defendant was not present, the sentence has been sealed and will be opened when the defendant is captured and returned to court. 

“Andrew Clemons’ depraved actions have caused incredible suffering for his victim and her family,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The emotional and psychological scars inflicted upon her are something no child should have to endure. The fact that Mr. Clemons absconded prevents this chapter in this little girl’s life from being closed. Please contact law enforcement if you have any information on the whereabouts of Andrew Clemons.”

***Law enforcement is actively seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Andrew Clemons. If you have information, please call the Anderson Police Department at 864-231-2277 or Crimestoppers at 864-231-7867.

April 19, 2013

Anderson, SC. Charlie Tyler Robinson pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Robinson to 25 years in prison.

On July 18, 2011, 86-year-old Glenn Craft was killed during an armed robbery at his home in Belton, SC. Robinson was implicated in the crime and arrested the following day. Robinson is the second defendant in the case to plead guilty. Walter Chase Alley pled guilty in February of this year and was sentenced to 37 years. Alley had confessed to the shooting of Mr. Craft in statements given to law enforcement.