10th Circuit Solicitor

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that a guilty verdict was handed down by an Anderson County jury today in the case of the State vs. Olin Daniel Johnson for Reckless Homicide. Johnson was charged in connection with a collision which occurred in Anderson County on July 4, 2002. The passenger in the car which Johnson hit, Sara Snelgrove of Starr, died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Johnson to 7 years suspended to 1 year active jail time with 5 years probation to follow. 

Lana Darlene Roper, a former employee of Ryobi Manufacturing in Anderson, SC, was sentenced today to 8 years in prison suspended to 2 years, with 5 years probation and restitution for taking a significant amount of money from her employer during a period of approximately 3 to 4 years. The exact amount was not specified today. A restitution hearing will be held in the future to determine this amount. 

The Honorable Cordell Maddox presided. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Scott McElhannon of the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams states: “It is the duty of my office to prosecute all crimes, whether they are white collar or violent crimes. 

Lorenzo Curry pled guilty today in Anderson General Sessions Court to the Armed Robbery of Skins Hot Dogs on August 10, 2005. Circuit Judge Alex Macaulay sentenced Curry to 15 years in the SC Department of Corrections.

Tenth Circuit Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that Ernest Don Webb pled guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court on Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 to Trafficking Methamphetamines 10-28 grams and Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury. Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Webb to the maximum sentence of 15 years for Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury and 15 years for Trafficking Methamphetamines. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

Webb was charged with Felony DUI in May of 2004 when the vehicle he was driving crossed the center line on Coffee Road and struck the vehicle driven by Greg McCall who was on his way home from church with his minor children. Mr. McCall received injuries to his back and brain which have rendered him permanently disabled. Following blood tests, Webb was found to have methamphetamines, THC, and cocaine metabolites in his system. A warrant was issued for the Felony DUI with Serious Bodily Injury charge at that time.

When Webb failed to appear for his court date in October of 2005, a bench warrant was issued. Webb was arrested on October 20, 2005 at which time he was found to have in his possession 25.31 grams of methamphetamines. He was subsequently charged with Trafficking Methamphetamines and placed in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center where he remained until his current court date.

Otis Ed Brandon pled guilty in Oconee County General Sessions Court today to two counts of Lewd Act on a Minor. The incidents occurred between October 1st and December 6th of 2005 and involved two separate victims. Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Otis Ed Brandon to the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison on each charge. Brandon was ordered to undergo sexual abuse counseling while incarcerated. He will be required to register as a sexual offender upon his release from prison.

PRESS RELEASE: Solicitor Adams Announces Sentence handed down in case of State vs. Luke Rogers in Oconee County. Burrell case continued.

On Monday, March 20, 2005 in Oconee County General Sessions Court, Circuit Judge G. Edward Welmaker sentenced Luke Rogers to 15 years in prison following Rogers’ guilty plea to one count of Burglary 1st Degree, one count of Burglary 2nd Degree and one count of Grand Larceny. Rogers was also ordered to go through the Addictions Treatment Unit while in prison. 

Rogers was charged with breaking into a home in Walhalla on two separate occasions and also breaking into a home in Salem on two separate occasions. During his second attempt to burglarize the home in Salem, Rogers was surprised by the owner of the home who was armed at the time. The owner of the home shot Rogers with rock salt after which Rogers managed to escape. He was apprehended on November 30th in the Walhalla area. 

In the second case slated for trial, State vs. Lane Burrell, Judge Welmaker granted the defense motion for continuance until the April 17th term of General Sessions Court. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that an Anderson County jury reached a Guilty verdict in the case of the State vs. Billy Shane Tucker for Murder, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill. Tucker had been charged with the murder of David Blackwell which took place on July 13, 2005 in Anderson County. At the same time, Tucker was charged with Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill for the shooting of Leah Spruell who was present at the home of Blackwell at the time of Blackwell’s murder. 

The Honorable Alex Macaulay sentenced Tucker to life for the Murder charge, 5 years for the Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and 20 years for the Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill. All sentences are to be served consecutively. 

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that twenty-year old Kevin Pitts pled guilty to Murder in Anderson County General Sessions Court today for the death of Anthony Haygood on September 10, 2004 at Pendleton High School in Anderson. The Honorable Cordell Maddox sentenced Pitts to 30 years.

Forty-five year old William Geer pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Anderson County General Sessions Court today for the death of Polly Walters on May 17, 2005 in Anderson. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” Nicholson sentenced Geer to 30 years.

Solicitor Chrissy Adams has announced that an Anderson County jury took less than an hour to reach a verdict of Guilty in the case of the State vs. Johnny Ray Gambrell for the murder of Lois Gambrell in July of 2004. Bone fragments identified as the remains of Ms. Gambrell were found in the ashes of a fire behind the home the two had shared. The Honorable J. C. “Buddy” 
Nicholson sentenced Gambrell to life in prison. 

The State’s case was supported by expert testimony from forensic anthropologist Dr. Ted Rathbun who had done testing of the evidence in the case, which included small bone fragments identified as that of a daughter of Frances King, Lois Gambrell’s mother.