10th Circuit Solicitor

May 9, 2012

Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com

. Nineteen-year old Landon Sanders pleaded guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to 2 counts of Murder and 2 counts of Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Sanders to 30 years on all charges. 

On March 22, 2011, Landon Sanders met his father and step-mother, Jason and Candace Sanders, at Sanders Ferry Boat Ramp on Hwy 184 in Iva. Sanders fired shots into the vehicle occupied by the couple, killing them both. The gun was recovered less than a mile from the boat ramp.

Deputies with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia who were familiar with the Sanders family assisted Anderson County deputies in locating the defendant and making the arrest the night of the shootings. The defendant was extradited to Anderson a few days later. 

“Sanders committed a brutal, senseless act when he murdered two members of his own family,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “This is yet another example of drug related acts of violence that are far too common in our society.”

April 23, 2012

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. Michael Douglas Lewis pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature and Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child. The Honorable Benjamin H. Culbertson sentenced Lewis to 15 years on the Assault charge and 10 years on the Unlawful Conduct charge.

On August 4, 2011, officers from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office responded to Oconee Medical Center regarding a potential child abuse case. The 5-week old victim was found to have a fractured leg, 3 broken ribs and a head injury. Although initially denying responsibility for the infant’s injuries, Michael Douglas Lewis later admitted that he had gotten frustrated by the child’s crying and had hit him open-handed in the face.  The Defendant also admitted throwing the child onto a wicker couch.  Lewis had a previous conviction for assaulting a child in Richland County.

“The defendant violently attacked and injured a helpless infant,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “While it is fortunate that the child’s injuries ultimately weren’t life threating, this defendant has a proven history of violence against children and as such we are pleased with today’s sentence which will ensure that he spends over a decade behind bars, unable to harm anyone else.”

April 25, 2012

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. An Oconee County jury found Marcus Daniel Allison guilty today of Burglary 1^st Degree and Grand Larceny. The Honorable Benjamin H. Culbertson sentenced Allison to 25 years for the Burglary and 5 years for the Grand Larceny. Sentences are to run concurrently.

On May 2, 2010, Bruce Kelley, Jr. reported to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Department that a burglary had taken place at his home while he was at work. Televisions, a laptop, DVDs, handguns and ammunition were stolen. Based on information obtained through the investigation, a search warrant was issued to search the home of Marcus Allison. Some of the stolen items were recovered at that time.

“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and want to thank law enforcement for their hard work on this case,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Twenty-five years is a very appropriate sentence for a violent crime such as this.”

April 17, 2012

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. Kristopher Lamar Jenkins pled guilty to Armed Robbery today in Anderson General Sessions Court. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Jenkins to 10 years.

On April 28, 2010, Jenkins walked into Cindy’s Treasure Cove in Pendleton and displayed an object that was perceived by the victim to be a knife.  He acted like he was buying some items and when the owner opened the cash drawer he pulled the knife and demanded the money bag. The defendant left the scene on foot and was later apprehended.  Jenkins provided a written confession. Most of the money was recovered.

 Daryl Gray pled guilty yesterday in Anderson General Sessions Court to Voluntary Manslaughter. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Gray to 25 years.

On June 27, 2010, Daryl Gray and his girlfriend went to the home of Lahani Bozeman to return a cell phone they had borrowed.  Gray got out of the car and knocked on the door. As Gray returned to the car, Bozeman came out of the house and they began to argue.  Gray shot Bozeman four times which resulted in his death.  Bozeman’s mother was standing on the porch at the time of the shooting. 

April 3, 2012

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(Anderson, SC)  Andy Steve Roach pled guilty Monday in Anderson General Sessions Court to Murder in relation to the death of Steven Ross Hughes in July of 2010. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Roach to 20 years in prison.

On July 2, 2010 Anderson Police Department officers responded to an abandoned building at 203 W. Earle Street as a result of a 911 call placed by Andy Roach. When they arrived, they found the victim, Steven Ross Hughes, lying on his side profusely bleeding from his head area. Hughes stopped breathing while EMS was en route. A beer bottle and baseball bat, both covered with blood, were located near his body. 

Roach gave a statement admitting to beating the victim with the baseball bat stating that he feared for his life as the victim had been threatening to kill him all day. The two met each other at the library and had been living in the abandoned building on W. Earle Street.  

An autopsy showed that the victim died as a result of multiple blunt force trauma injuries with resulting cerebral injuries.  Acute ethanolism was also noted. 

“While Mr. Roach was cooperative with authorities throughout this investigation, even calling 911 himself and admitting to police that he beat the victim, the fact remains that in July of 2010 he killed Steven Ross Hughes,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.  “Today’s sentence will ensure he spends the next two decades in prison for this violent and brutal crime.”

March 16, 2012
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(Anderson, SC). An Anderson County jury has found William Laureano guilty today of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature. The Honorable Lawton Macintosh sentenced the defendant to 8 years suspended to 4 years and 5 years probation. Laureano also received a 90 day sentence for contempt charges which is to be served consecutively to the 4 years. 

While arguing with his wife at their home in Anderson County on February 2, 2010, William Laureano pointed a loaded .357 pistol at his wife and threatened to kill her, their daughter, and any law enforcement that came to the home. The victim was able to flee the home with her daughter and grandchildren. The SWAT team was later called to negotiate with the defendant to surrender. Laureano was taken into custody without injury to himself or law enforcement.

Earlier this week, Henry Junior Galloway was found guilty of Burglary 2nd Degree and Safecracking and sentenced to 15 years. Galloway and a co-defendant broke into Moon’s Tile, Marble, and Stone on Whitehall Road in Anderson on September 24, 2010. Two employees were inside the business at the time of the break-in and were able to apprehend the defendants until law enforcement arrived. The entire incident was recorded on surveillance video. 

January 27, 2012
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(Anderson, SC). After four days of testimony, an Anderson County jury has found Matthew Fullbright guilty of two counts of Murder and two counts of Armed Robbery. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Fullbright to two consecutive life terms as well as two consecutive 30 year terms for the Armed Robbery charges.

On October 24, 2009, Homer and JoAnn Staton’s abandoned bloody car was found on Horton Road in Belton. Mr. Staton’s body was found the next day on Asaville School Road… Witness statements and cellphone records led Anderson County investigators to Matthew Fullbright. During Fullbright’s October 28, 2009 confession, Fullbright led investigators to Waterside Drive in Iva where he had dumped JoAnn Staton’s body.

The Staton’s bought and sold gold for a living and were known to carry a substantial amount of cash. Fullbright had lured the Staton’s to a secluded area in Iva, beat them to death with a hammer and then robbed them of their cash and jewelry. After disposing of the bodies, Fullbright drove the Staton’s bloody car to the intersection of 252 and 413 where he purchased drugs. He then abandoned the car on Horton Road. 

“The horrific and brutal crimes committed by Matthew Fullbright shows how dangerous drug addiction can be,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Fullbright’s need to steal and support his drug habit ultimately led to the death of two innocent people. It is my hope that today’s verdict and sentencing will allow the Staton family to have some closure knowing that Fullbright will remain in prison for the rest of his life.”

OWENS AND GRESHAM RECEIVE LIFE SENTENCE

For complete statement, please see attached pdf

MAN FOUND GUILTY OF BURGLARY 1ST SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON

Michael Eugene Reese of Anderson, SC was found guilty today by an Anderson County jury of Burglary 1st Degree. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Gibson to 25 years in prison.

On October 9, 2010 at approximately 8:50pm Michael Reese broke into the home of Margaret and Douglas Nelson by breaking a rear window. Margaret Nelson is Reese’s mother. When the Nelson’s returned home from dinner, Reese confronted them both at the front door and pointed a shotgun at his step-father, Douglas Nelson, and threatened to kill him. During a struggle between Reese and Douglas Nelson, Nelson was able to take possession of the shotgun. Reese fled the scene and was arrested several days later.

Solicitor Adams says: “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and the sentence handed down by Judge McIntosh. Reese will no longer be a threat to his own family or to our community. I hope that this sentence will allow the Nelson’s to find peace and no longer be in fear of their own son.”

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