10th Circuit Solicitor

Faced with the prospect of going to trial next week, an Anderson man pled guilty Wednesday morning to charges stemming from a domestic assault in 2023, announced Tenth Circuit Solicitor Micah E. Black.

Henry K. Brown, 48, pled guilty on January 21, 2026, to Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature.  The Honorable Thomas J. Rode sentenced Brown to fifteen (15) years in the Department of Corrections, where he will be considered a violent offender and will not be parole eligible.  This conviction also counts as a “strike” under South Carolina’s “three-strikes” law, meaning Brown may be subject to a life sentence if he is convicted of additional crimes when he completes his current prison term.

On October 15, 2023, Brown got into an argument with his wife at their residence in Anderson. Brown quickly escalated the argument into a physical one when he threw his wife to the ground, jumped on top of her, and began choking her.  Brown then retrieved a butcher knife, holding it to his wife’s face and threatening to kill her with it while she was still laying in floor dazed from the strangulation.  Brown then took his wife’s car keys, phone, and tablet and left the residence.  The wife ran across the street to a convenience store and called 911.  When Brown was located the next day, he still had his wife’s keys, phone, and tablet with him.

Assistant Solicitor Chase Kinsey prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Senior Assistant Solicitor Derek Polsinello, Investigator Joe Burke, and Victim Advocate Michele Carroll.  Solicitor Black praised the work of his team preparing this case for trial, and for helping prepare Brown’s wife to face him in court for the last time.  Additionally, he commended the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for their professional work responding to the initial call for help and quickly bringing Brown to justice.

“Domestic violence continues to plague our communities in South Carolina and across the nation,” Solicitor Black said following the sentencing. “My office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies and other partners across the Tenth Circuit to fight for victims of domestic violence and give them a path to becoming a survivor instead of a victim.”

An Anderson man pled guilty this week rather than face an upcoming trial for raping his wife’s juvenile daughter, announced Solicitor Micah E. Black

Austin J. Cole, 35, pled guilty on January 8, 2026, to Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor.  Circuit Court Judge R. Scott Sprouse sentenced Cole to twenty (20) years in prison, which is the maximum sentence allowed under South Carolina law.  Cole will not be parole eligible and will be considered a violent offender while in the Department of Corrections.  Cole is also now a registered sex offender.

In late 2023, Cole’s estranged wife moved her two children, one of which was the victim in this case, into Cole’s home in Anderson County. While the children were living with him, Cole engaged in sexual intercourse with the eleven (11) year old female victim on numerous occasions.  Law enforcement became aware of the sexual assaults when the victim and her sibling were found in the early morning hours of February 23, 2024, walking along Highway 28.  The juveniles told officers they were trying to walk to their mother’s house in Georgia to escape Cole’s sexual abuse.  A sexual assault examination was performed on the female victim, which located sperm that DNA testing proved belonged to Cole.  Officers also discovered a photograph on Cole’s phone of him engaging in sex acts with the victim.

Deputy Solicitor Josh Thomas prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Senior Assistant Solicitor Patti Ferguson and Investigator Michael Cox.  Solicitor Black praised the work of his team in securing this conviction.  He also praised Investigator Keonna Brooks of the Anderson Police Department for her diligent work building the case against Cole.

“Austin Cole was entrusted with the safety of the victim in this case, and he betrayed that trust in the worst way possible,” said Solicitor Black after the sentencing.  “No punishment the law provides can ever be adequate for what this offender did, but I take solace in the fact he received the maximum sentence the law allows and will serve the next two decades in prison.”

Solicitor Micah E. Black announced that the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office recently completed its annual Christmas Toy Drive in conjunction with AIM Charity. Donations for the toy drive come from the participants in the Solicitor’s Diversion Programs as a part of their community service requirement. The donations provide Christmas gifts for children of all ages, from infant to teenager.

AIM takes pride in being an efficient non-profit organization that meets the needs of under-resourced individuals and families in Anderson and Oconee Counties.  AIM’s Christmas Program is only one of the many ways they serve our community.  Throughout the year AIM also provides many assistance programs such as Employment Pathways, Financial Stability, Hunger Ministries, Women & Children Succeeding, Pivotal Support Program and a Housing Rehabilitation Program, just to name a few.

This year’s donation from the Solicitor’s Office topped over $7,500 and will distribute gifts to over 500 children in our area.  Toys and gifts are also distributed throughout the community at events conducted in neighborhoods and local Fire Departments.

If you would like more information about the Solicitor’s Diversion Programs, you may contact the Solicitor’s Office at (864) 260-4042 or visit our website at www.solicitor10.org.  If you would like more information about the various community programs & support offered through AIM, you may contact them at (864) 226-CARE (2273) or visit their website at  www.aimcharity.org.

Two Anderson men were convicted this week for a string of crimes committed on December 29, 2022, that culminated in the death of an innocent 18-year-old woman, announced 10^th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.

On November 24, 2025, after a six-day trial, an Anderson County Jury deliberated for just over two hours before returning several guilty verdicts against Mikial Hykeem Nashaun Ferguson and Nigel Eneiko Valentin Barner.  The jury found both defendants guilty of Murder, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, five (5) counts each of Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, and First-Degree Burglary.  The Honorable R. Scott Sprouse sentenced each defendant to forty (40) years in the Department of Corrections for the murder charge, and to several lengthy concurrent sentences on the remaining charges.  The lead sentence on the murder conviction must be served day-for-day, meaning the defendants will not be eligible for any kind of early release.

Barner and Ferguson’s crime spree began during the afternoon of December 29, 2022, when they kicked in the door of a residence in Anderson County.  The defendants believed the residence was empty, but inside they encountered a young mother and her infant child.  They held the woman at gunpoint and ransacked the house before leaving with some jewelry and an AR-15 style rifle.  Later that evening, the defendants took the stolen rifle to Fairview Gardens Apartments in the City of Anderson.  While there, they fired over 20 shots from multiple guns into an occupied apartment.  The barrage of bullets struck three people in the apartment, killing 18-year-old Imani Clemons.  Ferguson later took the stolen rifle used in the shooting to a bridge over Lake Hartwell and threw it into the water.  Divers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Underwater Search Team eventually recovered the rifle and confirmed it was the one stolen earlier in the day.  Local investigators also recovered cell phones from Barner and Ferguson, which included precise location data putting them at the scene of both crimes and incriminating messages bragging to others about committing the crimes.

Solicitor Black prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Deputy Solicitor Josh Thomas, Investigator Frank Wooten, and Victim Advocate Stephanie Joseph.  Multiple agencies helped in the investigation of this case, including the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Anderson City Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.   Solicitor Black praised the cooperation and dedication of this multi-agency team in reaching this result, with particular credit to Detective Blake Vaughn and Lt. Brad Whitfield of the Anderson City Police Department and Detective Travis Bolton of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.  “No verdict or sentence can ever mend the hole left in the Clemons family from Imani’s tragic death, but I hope this conviction and sentence will bring some measure of peace to Imani’s family this holiday season,” Solicitor Black said after sentencing.  “I also hope it sends a message that Anderson County will not tolerate violence like these defendants engaged in that day, and that law enforcement and my office will continue to seek the full measure of justice for innocent victims like Imani.”

A Columbia, South Carolina, man was tried and convicted in his absence this week in Anderson County, announced 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.

A jury found Kha Ree Bernard La’Tre Golden guilty of Trafficking in Cocaine (400 Grams or More) and Possession of Psilocybin after a traffic stop on Interstate 85 uncovered two kilos of cocaine and a large amount of mushrooms. Golden did not appear for his trial, but was represented in court by Ivan Toney of the Greenville Bar. The Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh presided over the trial and issued a sealed sentence and a bench warrant for Golden’s apprehension.  While the sentence is sealed until Golden is located, the trafficking charge carries a mandatory sentence of twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) years in prison and a fine of $200,000.  The charge is considered both violent and serious and Golden must serve 85 percent of whatever sentence he receives before he is eligible for parole.

On February 6, 2023, Sgt. Hunter Ruff with the Directed Patrol Until of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office uncovered the large quantity of drugs after stopping Golden for a separate traffic infraction.  When Sgt. Ruff went to conduct a search of Golden’s vehicle, Golden began running on foot into the woods near the interstate.  K9 officer Echo was deployed to track Golden, and eventually located him hiding in an abandoned structure next to Highway 24.  The search of Golden’s vehicle uncovered a large suitcase in the back seat containing two kilos of cocaine, almost a kilo of marijuana, and almost 6 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms. Testimony in court revealed that the cocaine alone would be valued on the street between $60,000 and $120,000 depending on how it was further distributed.

Assistant Solicitor Mary Catherine Harbin prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Assistant Solicitor Chase Kinsey. “Unfortunately, drug trafficking continues to be a profitable enterprise in our country and state,” Black stated. “I hope this conviction sends a message to those who would traffic drugs in Anderson County that their only reward here will be a long and uncomfortable prison sentence.  I am proud of the work of our prosecutors and our partners in law enforcement to continue fighting to hold these criminals accountable.”

Anderson County (SC)  Drug trafficker convicted and sentenced to 25 years for trafficking a kilo of cocaine

A Georgia man will spend the next 25 years in prison after being tried and convicted last week in Anderson County, announced 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.

Kevin Eugene Hicks, of Austell, Georgia, was convicted last week in Anderson for Trafficking in Cocaine-400 Grams or More after a traffic stop by an Anderson County Deputy on Interstate 85 yielded a kilo of cocaine. Hicks was represented by Chuck Allen of the Anderson Bar. The Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh presided over the trial and sentenced Hicks to 25 years after the guilty verdict was returned.

On November 16, 2022, Sgt. Hunter Ruff with the Directed Patrol Unit of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office uncovered the large quantity of cocaine after stopping Kevin Hicks for a separate traffic infraction. A search of the vehicle ultimately uncovered the drugs hidden in the trunk of the vehicle. Testimony in court revealed that the cocaine discovered would be valued on the street between $30,000 and $70,000, depending on how the drugs were sold.

Hicks must serve 25 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections as a result of his conviction. This offense is considered both violent and serious and Hicks must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. Hicks had a prior conviction for trafficking cocaine in North Carolina in 2004.

Solicitor Black prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Assistant Solicitor Alexandra Guarin. “Illegal Narcotics continue to destroy our community each and every day,” Black stated. “I am thankful to work with the dedicated narcotics officers at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, who strive every day to crack down on those bringing drugs into our community. We will continue to fight in the courtroom with Sheriff McBride’s officers to prosecute those individuals to the fullest extent of the law.”

September 19, 2025

Anderson S.C. — An Anderson woman is headed to the South Carolina Department of Corrections after entering a guilty plea Thursday morning at the Anderson County Courthouse, announced Solicitor Micah Black.

Chianna Leshae Burgos, 23, pled guilty as charged to Kidnapping and Armed Robbery, and Circuit Judge R. Lawton McIntosh handed down a 15-year sentence. Kidnapping and Armed Robbery are all classified as violent and most serious, and are considered “no-parole” offenses, meaning Burgos must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being released.

On January 31, 2024, Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff Office responded to the QuikTrip Gas Station on Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson and found the victim lying on the ground bound with electrical tape around his legs and bleeding from his arm. Subsequent investigation determined that Burgos, her co-defendant Donovan Williford (who pled previously to a 20-year sentence), and another co-defendant orchestrated a plan to lure the victim to an address where he was later beaten and robbed. The co-defendants then transported the victim to the QuikTrip to attempt to use his debit card at an ATM machine. While Burgos was inside the QuikTrip attempting to use the victims debit card to steal money, the victim was able to free himself and attempted to escape. He was able to eventually escape but not before being shot in the arm after struggling with Williford over a firearm while he was still inside the vehicle. After this altercation, Burgos immediately ran out of the gas station, jumped back inside the vehicle with her co-defendant, and fled the scene.

Solicitor Micah Black prosecuted the case for the State with the assistance of Victim Advocate Merri Parker.  He praised the work of Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputies for their swift action at the QuikTrip, as well as their investigation and apprehension of the suspects in the case.  Lead investigator Jessica Jefferson, along with other officers, were able to secure the crime scene, follow up with leads, and ultimately secure the arrest that led to the conviction of the Defendant in this case.

“This was a coordinated effort between co-defendants to rob and steal and these individuals were willing to go to extreme lengths to carry out their plan,” said Solicitor Black. “The job law enforcement did to quickly arrive on scene, tend to the victim, and secure the evidence necessary to convict this defendant cannot be undersold. Anderson County is safer today and my prayer is that the victim can continue moving forward with his life with this defendant behind bars for a significant amount of time.”

Wanda Harvey, of Westminster, is headed to the South Carolina Department of Corrections for her role in a November 2022 stabbing near the Oakway Community in Oconee County after pleading guilty to Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature on Tuesday afternoon at the Oconee County Courthouse. The Honorable Scott R. Sprouse sentenced Harvey to 20 years, and required her to spend the first 15 years in the department of corrections, with the remainder of the sentence suspended to community supervision.  She will not be eligible for parole as this offense is considered both violent and serious under South                                                          Carolina Law.

Oconee County officers responded to an emergency call for service on November 13, 2022, in reference to a stabbing near the corner of West Oak Highway and Snow Creek Road. Officer Brandon Cobb with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was patrolling in the area and responded quickly to the scene. He observed a large pool of blood near the victim and heroically began life saving measures by applying pressure to the wound located on the victim’s neck to prevent further blood loss. The victim was transported by EMS to Prisma in Greenville where doctors and medical personnel were able to treat the victim.

Witnesses on scene stated to officers that an argument ensued between the Defendant and the other occupants inside a vehicle as they were driving down Westminster Highway. The Defendant became agitated during the argument and stated, “she was not afraid to die.” The Defendant then lunged towards the victim with a knife in hand, striking and injuring the victim with the knife. The other occupants intervened and pulled the Defendant off of the victim. Once the vehicle was stopped, the Defendant discarded the knife about 20 feet away from the vehicle. Law Enforcement and Investigators arrived on scene and interviewed witnesses, reviewed the physical evidence, and recovered the knife near the vehicle during their investigation.  Wanda Harvey was detained and arrested on scene for her actions.

Assistant Solicitor Cory Jones prosecuted the case for the State with assistance from Victim Advocate Kim Rutz. The Defendant was represented by Joey Opperman. Solicitor Black praised the work of his team and lead Investigator Charles “Rashad” Crooks of the Oconee County Sherriff’s Office for quickly solving this case and Officer Brandon Cobb for his efforts in providing immediate life saving measures for the victim. “I am thankful today that Deputy Brandon Cobb and Oconee County and Emergency personnel responded so quickly and were able to save the life of the victim in this case” stated Solicitor Black. “Their quick action and thorough investigation allowed for justice to be served in this matter, and I pray the victim will be able to move forward from this terrible experience to have a wonderful and meaningful life.”

A Philadelphia man will spend the next 40 years in prison after being convicted of Murder, announced 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.  

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, David Delgado Jr. appeared in the Oconee County Courthouse in Walhalla with jury selection scheduled to begin around 10:00 AM. However, Mr. Delgado changed his plea of not guilty to guilty to Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime relating to the Murder of Ahjai Gambrell. The Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh sentenced Delgado to the Department of Correction for 40 years on the Murder charge and 5 years on the weapons charge, with those sentences to be served concurrently. Under South Carolina Law, Delgado must serve this sentence day-for-day and will be ineligible for parole.

On May 29, 2023, Delgado murdered Ahjai Gambrell in her parent’s home in Seneca after her family left the residence for a short time to run errands. Upon their return, Ms. Gambrell’s mother and stepfather observed Delgado exiting the residence appearing “distraught” as they later described to law enforcement.  Once inside the house, her family noticed misplaced items, and they observed blood in various locations throughout the house and on towels and rugs that had been removed from the house and placed in a trash bag outside of the residence. After attempting to communicate with their daughter, they contacted authorities. Law Enforcement arrived and began processing the home after observing blood throughout the house. Officers also located a bullet hole in the hall bathroom located in the bathtub. The investigation revealed the defendant traveling back to Pennsylvania that same evening and a BOLO was issued to law enforcement partners in Virginia. Chesterfield County Police officers stopped Mr. Delgado on Interstate 95, but not before a high-speed chase ensued. Delgado ultimately was apprehended after wrecking his vehicle as he was attempting to flee law enforcement. Blood was observed on the backseat of the vehicle and DNA from swabs collected in the vehicle and throughout the home matched the DNA from the victim. Delgado gave several different accounts of the incident to law enforcement, ultimately confessing to killing the victim in the hallway bathtub at her parent’s home and led officers to the location where he disposed of the victim’s body near Porche Lane in Seneca.

Solicitor Black prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Senior Assistant Solicitor Blair Stoudemire, Investigator Mike Arflin, and Victim Advocate Kim Rutz. Delgado was represented by Keith Denny of the Oconee Bar.  Solicitor Black praised the work of his team, as well as Investigators Clay Sheriff, Adam Logan, and James Hellams from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office for securing the conviction and 40 year sentence. “Domestic violence and murder as a result of domestic violence have no place in our community.” Solicitor Black said following the sentence. “I hope and pray that Ms. Gambrell’s family is able to gain some measure of closure and begin to heal from the terrible act of violence that should never occur. We will continue to fight with law enforcement to ensure justice for surviving families that have experienced these terrible tragedies.”

An Anderson man will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of a double homicide, announced 10^th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black.

On August 14, 2025, after a four day trial, an Anderson County jury deliberated for just over an hour before convicting Frank Thomas Rhoads of two counts of murder and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.  The Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh then sentenced Rhoads to the Department of Correction for the remainder of his natural life without the possibility of parole.

On February 6, 2021, Rhoads gunned down Dequavious Tillison and Lorenzo Hunter as they sat in a vehicle outside Tillison’s house in the City of Anderson.  Earlier in the evening, Rhoads and two family members confronted Tillison at a local bar about his relationship with Rhoads’ step-daughter.  After the bar closed, Rhoads and his two co-defendants drove to Tillison’s house.  When Tillison arrived shortly thereafter, Rhoads approached the vehicle being driven by Hunter and fired seven shots at Tillison and Hunter.  Tillison was shot twice in the head, and Hunter – still seated in the driver’s seat – was hit 4 times.  Rhoads then fled the scene with his co-defendants and proceeded to go on the run across the southeast.  They were eventually captured in Virginia six days later after leading authorities there on a high speed chase down the wrong side of the interstate.

Solicitor Black prosecuted the case for the State, with assistance from Deputy Solicitor Josh Thomas, Investigator Michael Cox, and Victim Advocate Stephanie Joseph.  Solicitor Black praised the work of his team, as well as Sergeant Matthew Anderson and other investigators from the Anderson Police Department for securing the conviction and life sentence.  “Our community will simply not continue to stand for violence on our streets,” Solicitor Black said following the sentencing. “I hope that this life-without-parole sentence sends a clear message that my office will continue to fight alongside our partners in law enforcement to keep our community safe.”