10th Circuit Solicitor

February 28, 2013

(Walhalla, SC). Today, the Honorable Alexander Macaulay announced the sentence for Kenneth Whitworth who was tried in his absence and found guilty on Wednesday of Distribution of Methamphetamines, 3rd Offense.  The sentence had been sealed pending Whitworth’s appearance in court.   Judge Macaulay sentenced Whitworth to 30 years suspended on service of 25 years followed by 5 years of probation.  

On February 18, 2011 Kenneth Whitworth was arrested after an undercover operative for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office purchased a quantity of meth from the defendant out of his home.   Details of the transaction were captured on audio and video tape. 

Whitworth has an extensive prior criminal history that dates back to 1989.  Among his previous convictions are 2 drug charges and he most recently served a 5 year sentence for drugs beginning in 2006. 

“The defendant’s long criminal history clearly demonstrates that he is incapable of being a law abiding member of society,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Today’s sentence means he will spend the next 25 years in prison unable to bring any more drugs in to our community.  I especially want to thank law enforcement for their efforts in this case and bringing us the evidence needed to achieve this conviction.”

 February 5, 2013

 ANDERSON, SC. After jury selection and pretrial motions were heard, Walter Chase Alley plead guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Murder. After consideration of the State’s evidence and after hearing testimony from the defense, the Judge made a finding that the defendant was guilty but mentally ill.  The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Alley to 37 years in prison. Mr. Alley will be sent to the State Department of Mental Health prior to being sent to the SC Department of Corrections to serve his entire sentence.

On July 18, 2011, 86 year old Glenn Craft was shot to death in his home near Belton during a burglary. Alley turned himself in the following day and admitted to shooting Mr. Craft. Three others were also implicated in the murder and subsequently charged.

February 5, 2013

 ANDERSON, SC. After jury selection and pretrial motions were heard, Walter Chase Alley plead guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Murder. After consideration of the State’s evidence and after hearing testimony from the defense, the Judge made a finding that the defendant was guilty but mentally ill.  The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Alley to 37 years in prison. Mr. Alley will be sent to the State Department of Mental Health prior to being sent to the SC Department of Corrections to serve his entire sentence.

On July 18, 2011, 86 year old Glenn Craft was shot to death in his home near Belton during a burglary. Alley turned himself in the following day and admitted to shooting Mr. Craft. Three others were also implicated in the murder and subsequently charged.

February 5, 2013

 Anderson, SC. Tommy McClain plead guilty today to his involvement in a theft ring that had been operating in Anderson County for months during 2011.  The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced McClain to 5 years for Burglary 3^rd degree, 10 years for 1 count of Grand Larceny, 5 years each for 3 counts of Grand Larceny, 10 years for 1 count Receiving Stolen Goods, 5 years on each of 4 counts of Receiving Stolen Goods, and 5 years for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The defendant is currently serving a 6 year sentence on a probation revocation for similar charges.  Although the State requested that the 10 year sentence imposed for these charges run consecutively with the probation revocation, the Judge ordered that all sentences run concurrently. 

Following an investigation lasting several months, McClain was picked up as part of an extensive theft ring. The thefts took place in various locations in Anderson County and involved mostly vehicles and heavy equipment. Many of the stolen items were recovered.

January 8, 2013

Anderson, SC. Christopher Lee Todd was found guilty by an Anderson County jury today of Possession with intent to Distribute Methamphetamines. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Todd to 15 years in prison.

During May of this year, Christopher Todd was stopped for driving with a suspended license and arrested. While frisking him pursuant to the arrest, a crack pipe containing methamphetamines was found. An inventory search was conducted  at which time a rifle, bag of needles and approximately 7 grams of methamphetamines were found in the trunk of the car he was driving.  

“Christopher Todd has a long criminal history of dealing drugs,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The sentence imposed today by Judge McIntosh will ensure that Anderson County will be a safer place for the next 15 years.”

December 6, 2012

Anderson, SC. Thirty-one year old Joshua Babb pleaded guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Homicide by Child Abuse. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Babb to twenty years. 

On May 9, 2011, law enforcement and emergency services responded to an apartment at 308 E. Hampton Avenue in Honea Path for a baby boy who had allegedly fallen from a crib.  At their arrival, the child, who was not quite two years old, was unresponsive but still breathing.  He was transported via EMS to AnMed but had to be airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital.  He died during a neurological procedure.  According to treating physicians, the injuries sustained by the child were inconsistent with a fall from a crib, but were consistent with non-accidental head trauma.  The death was determined to be as a result of blunt force trauma with cerebral injuries. The child had been in the care of his babysitter and her boyfriend, Joshua Babb.  Babb gave a statement to law enforcement confessing to the crime. 

“Joshua Babb’s attack on this child was reprehensible,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “With today’s sentence, Babb will not be a threat to the community for many years.”