10th Circuit Solicitor

Michael Millwood, 40, of Greer, SC pled guilty to Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime on April 17, 2007 in Anderson General Sessions Court.

Millwood was charged in the shooting death of Walter Glenn Fowler on December 19th of 2005. Fowler had been shot twice in the back at his home on Hampton Road in Anderson County. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Millwood to 30 years for Murder and 5 years for the weapons charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently. 

Michael Gilliam, 46, pled guilty on April 12, 2007 to Burglary 1st Degree, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, Grand Larceny, Armed Robbery, and Assault with Intent to Kill. The charges arose from two separate incidents occurring in 2006.

On August 26, 2006 Gilliam robbed the Pelzer Point Shell station in West Pelzer with what appeared to be a pistol. Witnesses identified Gilliam’s vehicle which the Anderson County Sheriff’s office later located. A small gray homemade pistol-like object was found on the front seat of the vehicle. Gilliam gave a voluntary statement admitting to the robbery.

On October 24, 2006, Gilliam broke into a residence in Piedmont, SC taking items valued in excess of $1000, including a pistol. After being confronted by the homeowner, Gilliam fled into a wooded area near the residence where he was located by Anderson County deputies. Although Gilliam fired at the responding officer, no one was injured during the arrest.

The Honorable James Williams sentenced Gilliam to 19 years for the Burglary 1st Degree; 19 years for the Armed Robbery; 10 years for the Assault with Intent to Kill; 5 years for the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime; and 5 years for the Grand Larceny. All sentences are to be served concurrently. 

Forty-nine year old Larry Dean Swofford of Anderson SC pled guilty to Armed Robbery and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime in Anderson General Sessions Court on April 10, 2007.

On May 15, 2006, Swofford entered a convenience store in Anderson armed with a knife and demanded money. He left the store with approximately $400.00. He was later apprehended at his home by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.

The Honorable James Williams sentenced Swofford to 15 years for the Armed Robbery and 5 years for the weapons charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently. 

Paris Crosby, 19, of Anderson, SC pled guilty in Anderson General Sessions Court on April 18, 2007 to charges based on an incident in October of 2005. Crosby and his codefendant, Jasmin Sanchez were charged with kidnapping an individual that they had met on the internet and lured to their home in Anderson. The victim was assaulted with a crowbar, tied up and robbed before being bound and placed back in his own car wrapped in a blanket. The victim was stabbed twice in the neck by Crosby while being taken to a wooded area outside of Belton. The perpetrators then left the victim there, taking his vehicle. Crosby and Sanchez were apprehended on their way back to Anderson. The victim crawled to the road and was found by people driving by.

The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Crosby to 20 years for Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill; 20 years for Armed Robbery; 10 years for Grand Larceny and 5 years for Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. The sentences are to be served concurrently. 

On April 10, 2007, Juan Mendez pled guilty in Anderson General Sessions Court to several charges, including Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill, Armed Robbery, and Burglary. Mendez was charged in April of 2006 following a 4-day crime spree during which time he burglarized one home, assaulted one person with a knife, and finally stabbed another person, stealing her purse and her car. 

The Honorable James Williams sentenced Mendez to 20 years on each of two counts of Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill; 20 years on Armed Robbery; 20 years on Burglary; 10 years on Grand Larceny; and 5 years on the weapons charge. These sentences are to be served concurrently. 

Following two days of testimony in Oconee County General Sessions Court, a jury convicted 38 year-old David Anthony Fowler of Fair Play, SC of Burglary 1st Degree, 2 counts of Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill, Armed Robbery, and 2 counts of Petit Larceny. The charges stem from an incident in July of 2006 when Fowler and three accomplices broke into a home on Friendship Road near Seneca, SC, assaulting the occupants and robbing them. Both of the victims required medical attention.

The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Fowler to 30 years in prison on the Burglary 1st Degree and the Armed Robbery; 20 years on each count of Assault & Battery with Intent to Kill; and 30 days on each count of Petit Larceny. The sentences are to be served concurrently. 

On March 9, 2007, after a day and a half of deliberations, an Anderson county jury comprised of six women and six men convicted Maxwell Eugene Sipes of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree. 
The Honorable Alexander Macaulay sentenced Sipes to 30 years suspended to 25 years in prison with 5 years probation. 

Sipes was charged in September of 2004 after the sixteen-year old victim was forced to seek medical attention following months of being forcibly raped by Sipes, who was a family member.

“The compelling testimony of not only the victim but the medical professionals as well led to the guilty verdict of the jury. Hopefully this verdict will bring closure to the victim and she will be able to move on with her life.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

Johnny David Walker, 28, of Walhalla pled guilty Monday, February 26, 2007 to distribution of crack cocaine second offense and trafficking crack cocaine 28-100 grams 2ND offense. Circuit Court Judge James Williams sentenced Walker to 7 years in prison on the distribution charge and 8 years in prison on the trafficking charge. The sentences are to be served consecutively for a total of a fifteen year sentence.

These cases are the result of an undercover narcotics investigation conducted by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office over a period of several months during 2006.

“The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office narcotics investigations team continues to do an outstanding job in cracking down on the drug trade in Oconee County. The thoroughness of their investigations enables the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office to prosecute cases successfully, which in turn helps to protect our community and our children from illegal drugs and the problems they create in our society.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

After less than fifteen minutes of deliberations an Anderson County jury convicted Herman Belton, Sr. of Anderson, SC of Trafficking Crack Cocaine, 100-200 grams. 

Belton was arrested May 3, 2006 while riding a bicycle in the city of Anderson. When requested to stop by law enforcement, Belton attempted to ride away on the bicycle and eventually jumped from the bike running into the woods. Belton had in his possession digital scales as well as a crack pipe. 106 grams of crack cocaine was found wrapped in paper towels and foil. 

The Honorable Tommy Cooper sentenced Belton to 25 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. 

“The Anderson City Police Department did an excellent job in investigating this case. We are extremely pleased with the jury’s verdict.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

John Michael Ward pled guilty today to Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill, Armed Robbery, and Burglary 1st Degree in Oconee County Generals Sessions Court. The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Ward to 20 years in prison. 

Ward and his co-defendants forced their way into a home in July of this year, beating the occupants and holding one at knifepoint.