10th Circuit Solicitor

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.”

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: pressinfo@soli10th.com

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: pressinfo@soli10th.com

. 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.”