10th Circuit Solicitor

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
Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com
(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. 

May 20, 2011
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Anderson, SC. Lee Morrison, 33, was found guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court of Lewd Act on a Minor and Exposure of Private Parts. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Morrison to 15 years suspended to 8 years and 5 years probation.

Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008 the defendant lived in the same home as the victim. The child, who was between 3 and 5 at that time, disclosed that during the period when they lived in the same home, the defendant committed sexual acts on her. A physical exam revealed evidence validating the child’s claims. Another child in the home described having seen the defendant commit a sex act on the victim as well.

“Lee Morrison committed a horrible act on this child which no child should ever have to endure. The fact that he was a trusted adult in the child’s home makes his actions even more horrendous. Although we were disappointed that the defendant was not found guilty on all counts, we are grateful to the jury in this case for their diligent service and grateful that Morrison will remain behind bars for many years while this child begins her recovery from his depraved actions.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

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FREE WILLS CLINIC FOR ANDERSON COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT

May 2, 2011
Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com

. The South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division and the office of 10th Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams are sponsoring a free wills clinic to benefit law enforcement in Anderson County on Friday, May 6, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Solicitor’s Office in the Anderson County Courthouse (first floor). 

This free clinic is being offered to law enforcement officers to show appreciation for the service and protection they provide to our community. 

If you are a law enforcement officer in Anderson County and would like to have a free will provided to you, please contact Matthew Bradley at the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office by emailing matthew@soli10th.com to receive an “Intake Form.”

April 27, 2011
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(Anderson, SC). An Anderson County jury took less than half an hour to convict John Hunter Lambert, IV of the murder of his ex-wife, Amerise Brojet “B.J.” Barbre. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Lambert to 36 years in prison.

On December 21, 2008, the defendant and his ex-wife were at his parents’ home where the two began to argue following a period of drinking and using drugs. In a statement made to law enforcement, Lambert admitted to strangling Barbre and then burying her in a shallow grave in a wooded area close to the site of the murder. The defendant led police to the burial site 47 days after the murder following a lengthy interrogation.

April 14, 2011
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(Anderson, SC). At approximately 3:00AM, Sunday morning, January 23, 2011, 23 year-old Janie Smith was driving a Toyota SUV on Salem Church Road when she struck two teenage girls. The 16 year-old victim died instantly at the scene and the 17 year-old victim suffered a broken arm. Based on the accident reconstruction of the SCHP Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), the victims, who were wearing dark clothing, were walking in the middle of the northeast bound lane when they were struck. While there is evidence that Janie Smith was drinking at the time of the collision, the law mandates that an additional violation or neglect of an additional duty, such as the duty to exercise due care, occur, in order to prosecute Smith for Felony DUI. As a result of MAIT’s investigation, the State cannot prove such violation or neglect of duty occurred. As a result of MAIT’s investigation, the collision cannot legally be attributed to Smith’s alcohol consumption. In other words, this collision would have most likely occurred even if the driver had been sober. Therefore, as a result of MAIT’s investigation, the charge against Janie Smith is being reduced to DUI 1st. 

Both underage victims were drinking at the time that they were struck. “This Office will not tolerate those who knowingly give alcohol to minors in violation of the law. I have requested SLED investigate the source of the alcohol. This terrible tragedy could have been avoided. I hope this senseless loss of life serves as a reminder of the horrific consequences of drinking at any age, whether behind the wheel of a car or walking in the middle of the road. My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams.