10th Circuit Solicitor

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. 

Fernando Montes-Saenz was convicted today in Oconee County General Sessions Court for Trafficking Cocaine in Excess of 400 grams. Circuit Judge Howard King sentenced Montes-Saenz to 30 years, the maximum allowed by SC law.

On February 13, 2006, the defendant was stopped on I-85 in Oconee County for Speeding and Improper Lane Travel. After a brief discussion with the defendant, an officer with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an outer search of the vehicle with a drug dog. The dog alerted on a hidden compartment under the back seat of the Volkswagen Passat. The compartment held 30 bricks of cocaine weighing 29,823 grams with a street value of almost $3,000,000. 

“This verdict and sentence shows that law enforcement and the Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office are actively engaged in the fight to curb drug trafficking through the upstate of SC. I-85 has become heavily used by drug traffickers through Oconee and Anderson County. Law enforcement in both counties has provided excellent coverage of this area as well as outstanding investigative work in addressing this problem. My office will continue to seek stiff penalties for those who attempt to bring drugs into and through Oconee and Anderson Counties. We are very pleased with the sentence in this case.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

An Anderson County jury found April McCullough not guilty for the Murder of Scotty Fowler on February 5, 2005. 

“We respect the jury’s verdict. This was an extremely difficult case and we appreciate the effort and time that they put forth to reach a verdict. The sheriff’s department did a thorough investigation in this case and there was ample evidence and probable cause to present the case to a jury. This was obviously not a clear-cut case of self-defense, which is evident by the length of time the jury deliberated. 

Domestic violence was an issue throughout this case despite the fact that no prior domestic incidents were ever reported to the Sheriff’s department, social workers, or hospitals. We encourage all victims to contact law enforcement BEFORE violence within the home escalates to such a tragic level. The Sheriff’s office and the Solicitor’s office are dedicated to protecting true victims of domestic violence and we will continue to prosecute cases based on the facts in evidence.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.

James Williams pled guilty on October 18,2006 before the Honorable Paul M. Burch to the charge of Murder and Grand Larceny. Judge Burch sentenced Williams to 30 years on the Murder charge and 10 years on the Grand Larceny charge to run concurrently.

On or about December 24, 2005, Anderson County deputies responded to a missing person report for Mary Ann Williams, age 65, of Moss Oak Drive, Anderson, SC. Officers found Ms. Williams in her home already deceased. The cause of death was asphyxiation. The defendant, Ms. Williams’ son, surrendered to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office on December 28, 2006 at which time he made a full confession. Mr. Williams stated that he was under the influence of crack cocaine when he murdered his mother. 

Elliott Lawton pled guilty in Anderson County General Sessions Court today to Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, First Degree. The offense took place in November of 2005. The Honorable Paul Burch sentenced Lawton to 15 years in prison. Lawton will be required to register as a sex offender.

Lawton confessed to sexually abusing an eight-year old child who was in his custody. His common-law wife, Carolyn Kinman Lawton, is charged with Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child i

An Anderson County jury deliberated less than two hours before delivering a guilty verdict in the State vs. Lillian Sims case today in Anderson General Sessions Court. Sims was charged with Homicide by Child Abuse or Neglect in relation to the death of six-month old Shaquala Mance on March 27, 2005. 

Lillian Sims had been a foster parent to the child for approximately two months prior to the child’s death. On March 27, 2005, EMS responded to 123 Compton Drive in Anderson in reference to the infant who was found to be in cardiac arrest. Dr. Brett Woodard, who performed the autopsy, stated that the cause of death was malignant cerebral edema due to blunt force trauma. Sims, the primary caregiver was subsequently charged with Homicide by Child Abuse or Neglect. 

The Honorable Perry Buckner sentenced Sims to 20 years suspended to 15 years prison time with 3 years probation to follow. 

“The majority of children who suffer from abuse or neglect cannot speak for themselves. When this happens, it is up to the justice system to speak for them. The jury, by their verdict, did just that for Shaquala.” Solicitor Chrissy Adams.