10th Circuit Solicitor

Walhalla, SC– On November 21, 2019, Steven Reynolds, age 20 of 3 Padgett Street, Seneca, pled guilty to two counts of murder, armed robbery, and malicious injury to personal property.  He was sentenced by the Honorable R. Lawton McIntosh to 35 years in prison.  He will not be eligible for parole. 

On September 10, 2018, the Defendant did shoot and kill Timothy Caldwell and David Thomas Tranah during the course of an armed robbery.  Prior to the killings, the defendant did also shoot an unoccupied vehicle belonging to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office causing damage in an amount between $2000-$10,000. 

The incident in question occurred in an area of Seneca known as “The Compound”.  This is an area known to law enforcement as a hotbed of criminal activity, specifically significant drug, theft, and homeless activity.  The Defendant was well known to those who frequented “The Compound” and had a longstanding relationship with victim Caldwell.  At the time of this incident, both victims were reportedly staying at “The Compound”.  Multiple statements indicated that the Defendant had gone to “The Compound” to collect something victim Caldwell owed him, which is speculated to be a drug related debt.  The Defendant fled the scene after this incident and was apprehended by law enforcement at an Oconee residence the next day. 

 Solicitor David R. Wagner said “I would like to commend the combined efforts of our office and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office to secure this lengthy prison sentence for Steven Reynolds.  Today’s outcome ensures our community will not be endangered by Mr. Reynolds for decades to come.   This case highlights the violent consequences of the drug epidemic facing our communities nationwide.”

Walhalla, SC —  A Salem man was found guilty today in Oconee General Session Court; 56-year-old Clifton Eugene Smith was tried and convicted of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature for his role in a knife attack that left the victim with life-threatening injuries. 

Testimony presented in court over the two-day trial showed that on December 26, 2017, Clifton Smith was riding in a vehicle with the victim, Mr. Michael Todd Reid. A verbal argument escalated until Mr. Smith eventually slashed the victim repeatedly with a pocket knife as his sat in the backseat of the car. The victim suffered from severe blood loss due to extensive lacerations to his hands, arms, chest, and thigh, and was transported from the scene directly to the Greenville Hospital trauma unit.

 Circuit Court Judge R. Lawton McIntosh noted the severity of the attack, as well as Mr. Smith’s extensive history of violent crimes as he imposed a sentence of 15 years in the Department of Corrections. He will not be eligible for parole.

Today in Oconee General Sessions Court, a 42-year-old Walhalla man, Joshua “Kid” Jackson entered a guilty plea and was sentenced for his role in a burglary and auto break-in spree that impacted communities across Oconee County. Investigators with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Seneca, Westminster, and Walhalla Police Departments each contributed to the resolution of Mr. Jackson’s total of 114 individual charges. Circuit Court Judge R. Scott Sprouse accepted the 10^th Circuit Solicitor’s Office negotiated sentence of twenty years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He will not be eligible for parole.

The majority of Mr. Jackson’s criminal activities spanned a period of time from October 2018 to January 2019 and involved at least two co-conspirators, both of whom pled guilty and were sentenced earlier in the week. Mr. Jackson’s charges included 19 counts of burglary, 50 counts of auto breaking, and 45 counts of associated larcenies and malicious injury to property.

Following sentencing Solicitor David Wagner stated, “Joshua Jackson is a thief and a career criminal who targeted innocent, hardworking citizens of Oconee County.  Today’s sentence ensures he will spend most of the remainder of his life in prison, where he deserves to be.”

Today, Brandon Partain entered a guilty plea to Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child, Dissemination of Harmful Material to Minors, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Assault and Battery 1st Degree. 

The allegations were that he fondled a minor on top of clothing, showed pornography to several minor children, smoked marijuana in the presence of two children under the age of 10, and allowed a 13-year-old to smoke marijuana with him. Partain is a registered sex offender. Judge Sprouse sentenced him to a total 18 years active sentence.

On September 10th, Shannon Randolph Bryant pled guilty to Trafficking Methamphetamine and received a sentence of 10 years.  This is a no-parole offense and classified as a serious offense for which he will have to serve at least eight and a half years.

On April 8, 2018, deputies from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office  attempted to serve a domestic violence warrant at 211 Morningside Drive in Anderson County on this Defendant.  The deputies entered the home and found Methamphetamine on Bryant.  A search warrant was obtained for the residence and during the execution of the search warrant 282.62g of methamphetamine was found. 

Mr. Bryant is a long-time criminal and has a record that dates back to the early nineties. 

(Anderson, SC).  Yesterday in Anderson County General Sessions Court Larry Edward Adger, III, was sentenced by The Honorable Lawton McIntosh to 25 years in prison and a fine of $50,000 on charges of trafficking methamphetamine 3^rd offense, with a weight between 28 and 100 grams, trafficking cocaine base (more commonly known as “crack cocaine”) 3^rd offense, with a weight between 28 and 100 grams, and also of possession of a controlled substance, 2nd offense.

After a two-day trial, in June of 2018, Adger was convicted of the charges for which he was just sentenced.  At that time, his sentence was deferred by Judge McIntosh following a request by Adger’s attorney for the opportunity to explore potential appealable issues prior to entry of the sentence. 

The incident that lead to Mr. Adger’s arrest occurred on September 28, 2017.  Members of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office observed a single occupancy vehicle driven by Adger speeding on Market St. in Anderson County.  A traffic stop was initiated by law enforcement.  Before pulling over, Adger sped up and threw a brightly colored lunch bag out the passenger side window of his vehicle.   Deputies observed the lunch bag land in the roadway and quickly retrieved it.  Inside the bag, they found 29.25 grams of cocaine base and 25.08 grams of Pentylone, which is a controlled substance commonly known as bath salts.  A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a canister on the passenger side floorboard containing 48.8 grams of methamphetamine pills which were in the shapes of Hello Kitty, Darth Vader, and Optimus Prime, along with over $10,000 in cash.  

Both of the trafficking charges and the controlled substance charge were ordered by Judge McIntosh to be served concurrently.  Adger will also be given credit for 485 days he has already served. 

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Solicitor Kristin Reeves of the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, and private attorney Charles Whiten represented the defendant.

Following the sentencing, Solicitor David Wagner made the following comment: “So many people in our community suffer or know someone who suffers from drug addiction.  The drugs intercepted by law enforcement in this case could have eventually reached many individuals and affected and destroyed many lives.  The methamphetamine pills shaped into cartoon forms present an extreme danger to children.  It is horrific to imagine what could have happened if an innocent child had found these pills, as they could easily have been mistaken for candy.  I am very pleased with the strong sentence handed down by the Court this week, and hope it acts as a deterrent to those who would try to poison our community and expose our children to illegal narcotics and opioids.”

Today in Anderson County General Sessions Court defendant Ahmad Neely pled guilty to charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Criminal Conspiracy, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime for the 2017 killing of Charles Hillery. Neely received a negotiated 30 year active jail sentence. The plea was entered before the Honorable R. Scott Sprouse with attorney Tom Quinn representing the defendant and Senior Assistant Solicitor Lauren Davis Price representing the State. 

On August 13, 2017, Ahmed Neely and 4 co­defendants (Kailyn Dupree, Kemijai Anderson, Ethan Nichols, and Michelle Kirksey) conspired to commit an armed robbery of Travis Perry, who lived on Robinson Street in Pendleton. They believed Perry was a drug dealer and would have cash they could take from him. They retrieved a gun and drove to Perry’s residence. Their plan was for the three male co­defendants to rush into the house and commit the robbery, with Kailyn Dupree acting as their getaway driver. Michelle Kirksey had already proceeded to the home of Mr. Perry, as they had a prior relationship, and her role was to distract him and disarm him. It was confirmed by text messages sent between the defendants that Ms. Kirksey had successfully taken Mr. Perry’s gun and hidden it from him in his closet so he would be unarmed when the other co­defendants arrived. However, the group had not accounted for Mr. Perry’s housemate, Charles Hillery, who was on the front porch of the residence when the car pulled up and as the three male co­defendants approached. Anderson and Nichols, seeing Mr. Hillery, fled. Neely, however, engaged in a confrontation with Mr. Hillery. Mr. Hillary had a gun in his hand when he was struggling with Neely, but it was never fired, and it had apparently jammed. The defendant and Mr. Hillery struggled with one another, and during the struggle Neely stabbed Mr. Hillery at least 28 times, causing injuries which resulted in his death. Charles Hillery had no prior dealings or familiarity with the co­defendants in this case prior to this incident. 

Kailyn Dupree pled guilty to Attempted Armed Robbery and Accessory After the Fact to Murder, Kemijai Anderson pled guilty to Attempted Armed Robbery and Criminal Conspiracy, Ethan Nichols pled guilty to Accessory After the Fact to Murder and Criminal Conspiracy, and Michelle Guadalupe Kirksey pled guilty to Attempted AR and Criminal Conspiracy. All are now awaiting sentencing by the Court. 

Following the entering of the guilty plea, Solicitor David Wagner made the following statement: “This was a senseless act of violence committed by a young man who will now spend more years in jail than he has spent living on earth because he chose to take the life of another. I hope that young people who would be enticed to commit crimes in a misguided attempt to get cash fast will see how tragic this is and will instead pursue honest means of getting ahead through hard work.” 

Walhalla, SC–On Friday, March 1, 2019, Matthew Jason Chappell pled guilty before the Honorable R. Scott Sprouse to Great Bodily Injury to a Child and no contest to Voluntary Manslaughter.  Judge Sprouse imposed a total sentence of 40 years.  Mr. Chappell will not be eligible for parole. 

 On November 21, 2017, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Matthew Chappell’s residence upon report of a three-year-old child that had been injured.  At the time of injury, the child was alone in the home with Mr. Chappell.  The child suffered bi-lateral skull fractures that were ruled by medical professionals to be non-accidental in nature.  When questioned by law enforcement, Chappell asserted that he had been playing with the child when he pushed her and she fell backwards, hitting her head, rendering her unconscious.  Mr. Chappell waited a significant period of time and attempted to clean up evidence of blood in the home before seeking aid for the child.  

Upon further investigation, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office discovered that the injured child’s sister, 22-month-old Gwynne Hess, had died in the very same home on June 9, 2017.  At the time, her death had been ruled accidental in nature.  The investigation into Gwynne Hess’ death was re-opened.  It was discovered, again, that Gwynne was alone in the home with Mr. Chappell at the time of her alleged accidental choking.  Upon further questioning, Mr. Chappell confessed that he had picked up Gwynne and dropped her on the floor causing her to choke.  Based on this information, the decision was made to exhume the remains of Gwynne Hess for autopsy.  The medical examiner found massive fractures to the side and back of Gwynne’s head.  He further opined that the amount of force to cause these injuries to Gwynne’s skull would be the equivalent of falling off a three-story building. 

          “Special thanks for the hard work of Sergeant Tim Rice of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.  Sergeant Rice’s diligence during his investigation of the surviving child’s injuries ultimately uncovered that Gwynne Hess’ death was not an accident and ensured Mr. Chappell would be held accountable for all of his actions.” stated Solicitor David Wagner.   “Judge Sprouse’s sentence ensures Matthew Chappell will serve a large part, if not the entirety, of the rest of his life in prison.”

February 28, 2019

Walhalla, SC—Yesterday, an Oconee County jury found Michael Lee Trotter guilty on all counts following a one-day trial. The State was represented by Assistant Solicitor Jason Alderman. The Honorable Scott Sprouse sentenced Trotter to 5 years for Possession of Tools Capable of Being Used in a Crime; 10 years for Grand Larceny (enhanced due to prior convictions); 10 years for Petit Larceny (also enhanced); and 15 years for Burglary 2^nd Degree, Violent, with all sentences to be served concurrently. Although the defendant told the judge that he had been a drug addict his entire adult life, the Judge remarked that he fashioned the sentence to punish him but to allow him to have a life after prison, if he chose to. 

On or between November 27^th and 28^th of 2017, two trailers were taken from a location on Shiloh Road. Officers responding to the scene spoke to the victim who gave a description of the two trailers and showed the officers the scene of the theft and where the chain used to secure the trailers had been cut. While at the scene of the trailer theft, the officers received a call of shots fired at another location, later found to be the home of the defendant. During the investigation of this incident, a witness stated that he had seen trailers being pulled on to vacant property next door to the defendant’s home. Trotter was found on that property shortly thereafter, although the property was clearly marked with “No Trespassing” signs. The stolen trailers were also located there as well as tools used to cut the locks on the property adjacent to the defendant’s home and also cut the chain securing the trailers at the original incident location. Trotter was taken into custody for trespassing. Warrants were later served for the other charges. 

Following the sentencing, Solicitor David Wagner stated, “Michael Trotter has been in and out of prison for many years because of drugs and multiple burglaries. I appreciate the fact that he was sentenced to the maximum on each of these charges due to his long criminal history and want to thank the jurors, the Judge and law enforcement for helping to make our community a safer place.”

December 12, 2018

(Anderson, SC). Earlier today at the Anderson County Courthouse Jesse
Dewitt Osborne pled guilty to two counts of Murder and three counts of
Attempted Murder before Judge Lawton McIntosh for killing his father and going on a shooting spree at Townville Elementary School on September 28, 2016, where he killed first grader Jacob Hall and injured two other first grade students and a teacher. Osborne’s sentencing will take place after a hearing later this spring.

A hearing prior to sentencing Osborne is required due to the State seeking a sentence of Life without Parole for the crimes committed by Osborne since he was under 17 years old at the time he committed these offenses. The Supreme Court of the United States held in Miller v. Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012), that the Eighth Amendment prohibits a sentencing scheme that mandates a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for juvenile offenders without affording the Court the opportunity to consider mitigating circumstances of youth. This means that before a life without parole sentence is imposed upon a juvenile offender, he must receive an individualized hearing where the mitigating qualities of youth are fully considered, including:

(1) the chronological age of the offender and the “hallmark features of
youth”, including immaturity, impetuosity, and failure to appreciate the risks and consequence of conduct;

(2) the family and home life/environment of the offender;

(3) the circumstances of the homicide offense, including the offender’s
participation or role and how “familial and peer pressures” may have
affected him;

(4) the “incompetencies associated with youth,” such as the offender’s
inability to deal with police officers or prosecutors or assist his own
attorneys; and 

(5) the possibility of rehabilitation.

The South Carolina Supreme Court extended the Miller holding in Aiken v. Byars, 410 S.C. 534, 754 S.E.2d 508 (2014), to cover nonmandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole and also held that this applies retroactively to cases pending on collateral review.

Following the guilty plea entered by Osborne, Solicitor Wagner said: “The State will not be entering into any plea deals with Jesse Osborne. I am seeking the maximum sentence in this case, life without parole, which is the appropriate sentence for the murder of six-year-old Jacob Hall, and the attempted murders of his classmates and teachers.”

The minimum sentence Osborne now faces is 30 years, with the maximum, which is being sought by Solicitor David R. Wagner of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, being life without the possibility of parole.