10th Circuit Solicitor

GIBSON SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

December 14, 2011

Don Ray Gibson of Anderson, SC was found guilty today by an Anderson County jury of Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Gibson to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

On April 26, 2009, the defendant was asked to leave Hog Tails Bar & Grill in Pendleton following a verbal altercation with Damon and Jason Marcengill. Gibson later returned to Hog Tails with his nephew to pick up items he had left at the scene. Once inside, Gibson confronted Damon Marcengill, cutting him across the throat and face with a knife. Marcengill was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment. Witnesses were able to assist in the identification of Gibson who was arrested a short time later near his home in Anderson. 

“Gibson has a history of violent criminal behavior including a conviction for murder in 1976. His criminal history along with the brutal nature of this attack makes him a clear danger to our community. As a result, we sought and received a sentence of Life without the Possibility of Parole,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Gibson served 32 years on his previous conviction and had only been out of prison nine months before his latest crime. Today’s sentence will ensure he remains in prison for the rest of his life, unable to inflict further harm in our community.”

December 7, 2011
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(Anderson, SC). Toys of all sizes, from dolls and video games to bicycles, were presented to Anderson Interfaith Ministries by Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams and her staff today. AIM will distribute the toys, with an approximate value of $5,000, to children served through their annual Christmas program. Toy collections will continue until December 20th through Solicitor Adams’ office.

“These toys were collected by the diversion programs administered by my office for distribution to those less fortunate during the holiday season,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Donations from the non-violent offenders participating in the different diversion programs operated by my office are allowed to be made in lieu of a portion of community service. Giving back to the community in this way encourages these participants to recognize their involvement in making their community a better place.”

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November 10, 2011
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(Walhalla, SC). Thirty-five year old Eric Anderson pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to multiple sex offenses involving children under the age of 15. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Anderson to 30 years on each (2 counts) Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor (concurrent) charge and 5 years on Lewd Act on a Minor (consecutive). He must get inpatient treatment while incarcerated, outpatient treatment when released and have no contact with children under 18 and no internet access. He will also be on electronic monitoring for life. 

Between October of 2009 and December of 2010, Anderson engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with 2 young boys, aged 14 and 15. Both boys provided written statements to law enforcement. The defendant provided a written confession to law enforcement. Anderson, a registered sex offender, was previously convicted of lewd act on a child in 1997. 

“Mr. Anderson’s actions against his victims were reprehensible and he presents a clear threat to the children of our community,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Today’s guilty plea and the sentence handed down by Judge McIntosh will remove Mr. Anderson from our community and hopefully allow the victims to begin the recovery process knowing their abuser is behind bars.” 

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October 20, 2011
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(Walhalla, SC). Sixty-four year old John R. Roach was convicted today in Oconee County General Sessions Court of Lewd Act on a Minor and Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree with a Minor. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Roach to 15 years suspended to 24 months for the Lewd Act and 20 years suspended to 24 months in prison for the Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree with a Minor charge. Five years probation will follow the prison sentence. The defendant will also be required to register as a sex offender, placed on the Central Registry of Child Abuse, placed in the DNA database, and will be required to be on GPS monitoring for life following his incarceration. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family. 

On January 24, 2010, the defendant committed a sexual act on a 13-year old female who was residing at the same home as the defendant at the time. A member of the victim’s family later reported the incident to law enforcement. The case was investigated by the Walhalla Police Department who obtained a written confession from Roach. 

Date: October 19, 2011
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(Walhalla, SC) Michael Lamar Couch was convicted by an Oconee County jury today of…

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September 23, 2011
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(Walhalla, SC). Willie James Stewart, Jr. pled Wednesday in Oconee General Sessions Court to Criminal Sexual Conduct, 2nd Degree. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Stewart to 20 years suspended on service of 15 years plus 5 years probation. He will be required to register as a sex offender.

In January of 2011, a 17 year old female reported to law enforcement that Stewart had engaged in sexual relations with her since she was 14. The Seneca Police Department investigated the case and obtained a written confession from Stewart. 

“The young lady who became Stewart’s victim has shown great courage in participating in the justice process. Too often victims of sexual abuse are afraid to come forward, feeling ashamed that this has happened to them, even though it was not their fault,” stated Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “Seneca Police Department did a great job in the investigation and in assisting my office in obtaining a conviction on these charges. All of these efforts allowed the victim to see the justice that she deserved.” 

September 22, 2011
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(Anderson, SC). Luis Alonzo Ozorio pled guilty yesterday in Anderson General Sessions Court to Trafficking in Cocaine, 400 grams or more. The Honorable Lawton McIntosh sentenced Ozorio to 18 years in prison.

On July 3, 2009, Anderson County deputies conducted a traffic stop on I-85 on a Ford Explorer being driven by the defendant, a resident of the state of New York. A search of the car revealed seven hidden packages containing over 1300 grams of cocaine. Although there were other occupants in the car, Ozorio claimed full responsibility for the drugs during his plea.

Date: July 26, 2011
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(Walhalla, SC) 10th Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams presented a check today to
Oconee County Administrator Scott Moulder for the first month’s funds
collected by the Solicitor’s Worthless Check Unit. (See attached pdf file for additional information and pictures.)

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SMITH PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG CHARGES

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July 12, 2011
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(Anderson, SC). Thirty-one year old Matthew Massey of Anderson pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to four counts of Felony Driving Under the Influence with Great Bodily Injury, 3 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and one count of Child Endangerment. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Massey to 22 years suspended on service of 12 years with 5 years probation for charges originating in December of 2009. 

On 12/12/2009, Massey was driving in Anderson County with three minor children and three other passengers in his vehicle. He lost control at a high rate of speed on SC178 and struck two telephone poles. Four of the seven people in the car were ejected including Cassie Hunter, 15, who died on impact and Joel Jackson, 20, who suffered severe injuries and is permanently paralyzed. Caitlin Sutton and Christopher Sutton were also seriously injured in the accident. Shortly before the accident, SCHP had received a phone call that the car driven by Massey was speeding and driving erratically. A trooper was dispatched to the area but the accident occurred before he could arrive. The investigation also revealed that Mr. Massey, the only person over 21, had purchased beer for all the underage people.