10th Circuit Solicitor

March 17, 2008. Just minutes before jury selection was set to begin, 36 year old Andre Martin of Starr, SC, pleaded guilty to Distribution of Crack, 2nd Offense and Distribution of Crack within Proximity of a School. The Honorable J. C. Nicholson sentenced Martin to 7 years on each indictment. Martin will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

On September 16, 2006, Martin sold 5.85 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover operative working for the Seneca Police Department. The incident took place within one-half mile of Code Elementary. 

Twenty-two year-old Alicia Hunter of West Union, SC, pleaded guilty to Distribution of Crack Cocaine. This was Hunter’s second drug offense. She was sentenced to 10 years in the SC Department of Corrections.

Terry Ramsey, 25, of Seneca, SC, pleaded guilty to Distribution of Cocaine. Ramsey was sentenced to 5 years in the SC Department of Corrections.

“We appreciate the work done by our Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and Seneca Police Department narcotics officers. Their diligent pursuit of those attempting to “set up shop” in our communities by selling drugs and conducting other illegal activities has had a positive impact on keeping our homes and children safer. My office will continue to work with law enforcement to help make our communities safe.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Twenty-year old Angel Rodriguez, Jr. pled guilty today in Oconee General Sessions Court to Trafficking Methamphetamines. The jury had been selected on Monday and before opening arguments could begin, the defendant made the decision to plead guilty. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Rodriguez to 5 years. Rodriguez’ prior record consisted of a Simple Assault and Battery charge in 2006. 

On June 16, 2006, Rodriguez sold approximately 11 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division. The crime took place in a residential neighborhood in Westminster. 

The following people pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to a series of armed robberies occurring between December 2005 and July 2006:

Neil Hoepfl: Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Criminal Conspiracy; 20 years 

Samantha Brooks: Armed Robbery X 2, Kidnapping, and Criminal Conspiracy X 2, Giving False Information to Law Enforcement; 15 years

Holly Knight: Armed Robbery x 2, Kidnapping, and Criminal Conspiracy x 2; 15 years

The Honorable Cordell Maddox was the presiding Judge. 

1/8/2008. Fifty-one year old Daniel Barnes of Anderson, SC pled guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, 2nd Degree and 4 counts of Lewd Act on a Child in Anderson General Sessions Court. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Barnes to 20 years suspended to 16 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of probation. Barnes will be placed on the sex offender registry upon release from prison. 

These incidents occurred at the defendant’s residence while the victim’s mother was at work over a period of approximately one and a half years.

Truancy Program receives national award – click to view document with Adobe Acrobat Reader:

Delbert W. Williams, 21, of Anderson County has pleaded guilty to Burglary 2d Degree in Anderson General Sessions Court. The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Williams to 13 years in prison. Williams will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

On September 5, 2007, Williams broke into a residence located on Old Denver School Road in Anderson and stole 3 firearms. Fingerprints found at the scene led to the arrest of Williams. 

Rodney Thompson, 37, pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter today in the November 4th, 2006, death of Carmencita Turman. The Honorable J.C. Nicholson sentenced Thompson to 25 years. 

Thompson and Turman lived together at 407 Buena Vista Drive where the incident occurred. On November 4, 2006, police and EMS arrived to find Ms. Turman unresponsive. She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Thompson gave a statement to police admitting to assaulting Ms. Turman with his fists after the two got into an argument. 

Thomas Butler, 21, of Honea Path, SC, pled guilty in Anderson General Sessions Court today to Voluntary Manslaughter for the death of Ronald Noest on July 29, 2006. The Honorable J.C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Butler to 25 years. Under current South Carolina law, Butler will not be eligible for parole.

Butler shot Noest during an argument and then took his body to a wooded area off Broadway Lake Road in Anderson County. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Butler the following day.

Timothy Lamar Wallace was found guilty this week by an Oconee County jury of Trafficking Cocaine, over 400 grams. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Wallace to 25 years.

Mr. Wallace and a passenger were both arrested as the result of an I85 traffic stop during which the drugs were discovered.

An Anderson County jury found Johnny Earl Mahaffey guilty of Murder and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Violent Crime for the shooting death of Ryan Cox in August of 2006. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Mahaffey to life in prison plus 5 years for the firearm charge.

Over a period of three days, the prosecution presented testimony from a number of witnesses as well as forensic evidence which linked Mahaffey to the murder. The defense presented no witnesses.

“The evidence in this case clearly showed that Johnny Mahaffey murdered Ryan Cox without provocation. Ryan Cox was a father and a son. He had friends and family who loved him. His death was a senseless act of violence. Nothing the justice system can do to Johnny Mahaffey will bring Ryan back. Hopefully, knowing that Johnny Mahaffey will be in prison for the rest of his life will allow Ryan Cox’s survivors to find some peace.”