10th Circuit Solicitor

June 26, 2009
Contact: pressinfo@soli10th.com

(Walhalla, SC). Twenty-three year old Adarius Quante Dennis of Anderson was convicted this week in Oconee General Sessions Court of Armed Robbery for an incident that took place on June 22, 2008 in Seneca, SC. Dennis and two co-defendants robbed the victim with a handgun, striking him numerous times in the head with the pistol. The robbery, in which approximately 90 pairs of shoes valued at $3000 were taken, took place in the presence of the victim’s four-year old daughter. 

The defendant appeared in court on Monday for jury selection but did not attend the trial on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was convicted of Armed Robbery in his absence and was sentenced by Judge Macaulay. The sentence was sealed and a bench warrant issued for the defendant.

(Anderson, SC). Brandon Taylor, 27, pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to numerous charges related to the operation of a “chop shop” on Willingham Road in Williamston. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Taylor to 10 years in prison.

Taylor was arrested in October of 2008 and charged with multiple charges including grand larceny, breaking into motor vehicles, receiving stolen goods, operating a chop shop, failure to stop for blue light, and burglary. Anderson County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

May 21, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). Rahiem Kirkman, 32, of Greensboro, N.C., was sentenced yesterday in Anderson General Sessions Court to 25 years for Trafficking Cocaine. Kirkman, who failed to appear for his trial in November of 2007, was convicted of trafficking approximately $1 million worth of pure cocaine along Interstate 85. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sealed the sentence and issued a bench warrant for Kirkman on November 6, 2007.

Kirkman was arrested on August 23, 2006 one day after being stopped on 
I-85 after an Anderson deputy became suspicious of Kirkman’s behavior during a traffic stop. Kirkman fled the scene but was arrested the next day after another traffic stop on I-85 and another foot chase. 

Kirkman was captured in March of this year in New Jersey and transported back to Anderson for sentencing. 

HERRING SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS

May 18, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). James William Herring, 24, of Anderson pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to the armed robbery and murder of James “Scooter” Kelley in 2008. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Herring to 30 years on each charge to be served concurrently.

On May 3, 2008, James “Scooter” Kelley was found by residents of Keys Street in Anderson lying in the yard of a neighboring house. Mr. Kelley had been killed by a blow to the head with a cinderblock and also suffered stab wounds from the end of a pipe. Witnesses had seen Mr. Kelley and Herring together the day of the murder, both appearing to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Investigators found Mr. Kelley’s wallet and the pieces of the cinderblock by his body as well as the pipe in the bushes nearby. Herring’s girlfriend found Mr. Kelley’s prescriptions and driver’s license in Herring’s clothes and turned them over to investigators. 

May 15, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). An Anderson County jury returned a guilty verdict tonight in the murder trial of Garvin Vaughn Duvall, 50, and Frances Moore, 61, for the 1999 murder of Robert Paul Stephens. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced each defendant to 40 years. 

In November of 2006, investigators going over cold cases uncovered information leading to witnesses linking the two to Stephens’ death. Duvall and Moore were arrested and charged with Murder, Conspiracy, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. 

According to witness testimony, Frances Moore and her friend Garvin Duvall had been seen at the location on Baugh Road, just inside the Anderson County line where a fireman responding to a report of a vehicle on fire found Robert Paul Stephens lying on the ground beside the car. Mr. Stephens had been shot twice. Testimony revealed that Ms. Moore had offered $2000 to Duvall to kill Stephens, the estranged husband of her daughter. 

“The family of Robert Paul Stephens has waited 10 years to see justice for his senseless death. Hopefully now they can have some closure knowing that the two people responsible will spend the next 40 years of their lives behind bars.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

April 29, 2009
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(Walhalla, SC). Thomas Keith Graham, 52, of Seneca was found guilty today of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature in Oconee General Sessions Court. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Graham to the maximum sentence of 10 years. He was also ordered to pay restitution and complete anger management counseling while in prison.

On August 23, 2007, Graham went to his ex-wife’s home around 1 a.m. under the influence of alcohol. After threatening her, Graham beat her, breaking her jaw and inflicting multiple bruises over her entire body. The victim escaped to a neighbor’s house and law enforcement was called. Graham was arrested after being found by law enforcement passed out in the victim’s bed with her blood on his hands. 

“I hope the maximum sentence that was handed down today sends a clear message that our office will continue to vigorously prosecute domestic violence cases,” said Solicitor Chrissy Adams. “I want to thank the jury for their service and Seneca Police Department and our prosecutors for their work on this case. Thanks to their efforts this violent criminal will spend the next decade in prison.”

April 24, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). Forty-year old Earl Dean “Buddy” Jordan of Walhalla SC was charged with Criminal Negligent Use of a Firearm Resulting in Death (SC Code of Laws §50-01-0085(4)) on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. He was subsequently released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. 

The charge follows an investigation into the shooting death of Adam Corey Becker on March 21, 2009 during a wild hog hunt on property outside of Walhalla. 

April 15, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). Nineteen year old Danielle Bowen pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to Homicide by Child Abuse. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Bowen to 25 years suspended to 20 years and 5 years probation. 

Bowen was arrested January 8, 2008 following the death of her 6 month old daughter, Hailey Marie Wilson. Autopsy results revealed the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the abdomen, resulting in internal injuries and multi-organ failure. After initially denying her actions, the defendant eventually admitted to stomping on the child and then holding her by the throat and striking her on the head when she wouldn’t stop crying. 

“It is difficult to understand how someone could commit such an act against a helpless child, no matter what the circumstances. Danielle Bowen will now have the next twenty years to remember the day her daughter died as a result of her actions and hopefully come to accept responsibility for the senseless loss of a precious child.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

April 8, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). Twenty-eight year old Carius Lomax of Anderson, tried in his absence after failing to return to court for jury selection on February 2, 2009, received his sentence Wednesday in Anderson General Sessions Court. The trial proceeded and the defendant was convicted in his absence. The sentence was sealed until Lomax was located and arrested on a Bench Warrant on March 26th. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Lomax to 20 years for Trafficking Crack Cocaine and 5 years for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance to be served concurrently. He will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

On April 28, 2008 Anderson City Police officers were responding to a report of a man with a gun on Dickson Avenue in Anderson, when Lomax almost hit the officers’ vehicle as they approached the intersection near the location of the call. The officers initiated a traffic stop at which time Lomax gave a false name. Lomax was identified by one of the officers on the scene and he was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. The officers searched the car incident to the arrest and found 10.23 grams of crack cocaine and 19 hydrocodone tablets. 

March 26, 2009
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(Anderson, SC). Charles Randy Horne, Jr. pled guilty today to four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 1st Degree. The Honorable J.C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Horne to 23 years in prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.

Horne was arrested in 2008 after the female victim, now 16, reported to law enforcement that the defendant had molested her on multiple occasions when she was between the ages of 6 and 9. The victim was in the custody of Horne’s parents at the time of the incidents.

“Mr. Horne took advantage of a young innocent girl, forever changing her life. It took great courage for this young lady to confront her abuser. Hopefully she can now move on with her life.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.