10th Circuit Solicitor

December 4, 2012

Anderson, SC. Both Lorenzo Sullivan and Jason Sanford pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to the murder of Rashaun Williams in 2011. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced each man to 30 years in prison.

On May 27, 2011 Lorenzo Sullivan and Jason Sanford went to Meadowrun Apartments, where they hid behind a building. As the victim, Rashaun Williams, rode out of the apartment complex on a motorcyle, both Sanford and Sullivan ran out from behind the building towards the victim and began shooting.  Mr. Williams was shot in the side and died from the gunshot wound shortly after at ANMED. The defendants were identified by people in the apartment complex who knew them.

“The evidence in this case was overwhelming and there was never any doubt that the defendants were responsible for this crime,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Their actions not only took the life of the victim but put at risk all those at the apartment complex at that time.”

November 15, 2012

. The 2^nd Annual Anti-Drug and Anti-Violence Calendar Contest (2013 calendar) sponsored by the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in conjunction with area businesses and individuals has come to a successful end. 5^th grade students in Anderson and Oconee Counties submitted drawings on what Anti-Drugs and Anti-Violence means to them. Approximately 100 drawings were submitted. The Clemson Artist Guild judged the drawings and chose 13 winners, one for each month and one for the calendar cover. Each winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card.

An awards luncheon will be held on Friday, November 16^th at the Anderson Arts Center.

Approximately 2,000 calendars will be printed and distributed free of charge throughout Anderson and Oconee Counties. Distribution of the calendars will begin around mid-December.

The winners are:

October 16, 2012

Contact: [email protected]

Walhalla, SC. Tommy Joe Cooper pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to 5 counts of Burglary, 2^nd Degree (Violent). The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced him to 15 years on each count to be served concurrently.

Between September 2010 and February 2012, the defendant broke into 4 of his neighbors’ outbuildings taking tools, lawnmowers, chainsaws, blowers and other assorted items. Some of the property was located at a nearby pawn shop. Cooper had previously served time in prison for burglaries committed on the same properties in 1989.

“I want to thank law enforcement for their efforts in tracking down the person responsible for this string of burglaries,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “I have no doubt that if Tommy Cooper had not been caught and arrested he would still be out there today committing additional crimes.  Today’s guilty plea and sentence, however, mean that instead of stealing further from his neighbors, he will be locked behind bars and unable to victimize our community any further.”

October 16, 2012

Contact: [email protected]

. Just before opening statements began this morning, Tyson Tyrone Watt plead guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court to Assault & Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Watt to 20 years suspended to 15 years in prison and 5 years probation to follow. Watt was also sentenced to 5 years (to be served concurrently) for Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.

On May 2, 2011, Tevin Lewis was visiting some friends on East Main Street in Seneca. The defendant came by and engaged in a verbal argument with Lewis. Watt left the location but returned approximately an hour later armed with a gun. Watt shot Lewis and as Lewis was retreating, Watt shot him a second time. The victim was later airlifted to Greenville Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“Nothing good ever comes from bringing a gun to an argument,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “It is fortunate that today’s hearing was for an assault charge and not murder.  This was a violent crime deserving of a stiff penalty.  As such, we are pleased that today’s sentence will place the defendant behind bars for the next decade and a half and serve as a reminder to all criminals that gun violence will land you in prison.”

September 25, 2012

“After a thorough investigation by law enforcement and a review of the evidence in the case it became clear to our office that Mr. Haymond’s death was the result of natural causes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “All the evidence supports the conclusion and there was nothing that indicated otherwise. Law enforcement took extraordinary action to try and revive Mr. Haymond but despite their best efforts his life could not be saved.”

September 19, 2012

Anderson, SC. An Anderson County jury found twenty-five year old Ebonee Bowers guilty today of the unlawful neglect of her 17-month old daughter. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced her to 10 years.

On August 3, 2010, deputies were called to the AnMed emergency room to investigate an assault on a 17 month-old female, Imani Bowers. The child was brought to the ER by her mother, Ebonee Bowers. The mother stated the child had fallen a few days earlier. Due to the type and severity of the child’s injuries, she was transported to Greenville Hospital where she spent several weeks in the pediatric ICU. A pediatric neurosurgeon concurred with the AnMed ER doctor’s opinion that the child’s injuries were not accidental but were consistent with abuse. DSS began an investigation at that time. The defendant was later arrested.

“There is a sacred trust between a mother and child,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The defendant broke that trust. We pray for Imani’s continued recovery and that her future will be bright and filled with love.”

August 16, 2012

Contact: [email protected]

Walhalla, SC. An Oconee County jury convicted Curtis Eugene Land today of Burglary 1^st Degree. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Land to life without parole, as requested by the State under SC Code of Laws §17-25-45 (“3 strikes”). 

On September 2, 2011, Curtis Land entered a home on Bethel Church Road in Westminster, SC by prying open the back door. A minor child was present in the home at the time and called his father who contacted 911. The 13-year old pointed a shotgun at Land who ran out the back door. Land was arrested by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office a short distance from the home.  

“Life without parole is an appropriate sentence for a career criminal such as Land,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “The community will be a safer place with Curtis Land in jail for the rest of his life.”