By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Deputy Sarah Merriman was presented the highest departmental honor – DEPUTY OF THE YEAR 2020 – during RCSD’s annual awards ceremonies, Wed. Jan. 13, 2021: But not before receiving Deputy of the Year for RCSD’s Region Four and the department’sContinue Reading
LEXINGTON, S.C. – A Myrtle Beach teen is accused of robbing and kidnapping a cab driver in Lexington County Thursday. Blake Austin McGrath, 19, was formally charged Friday morning with armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants. “Based on information weContinue Reading
Koon’s Watch I was honored this week to take my third oath of office to serve as your Sheriff. Because of the current COVID-related conditions, I did so in a small, private ceremony with family, friends and colleagues at the Sheriff’s Department. The feel of the event provided me withContinue Reading
Hundreds of deputies later re-sworn By W. Thomas Smith Jr. For the seventh consecutive time since 1997, Leon Lott raised his right hand and was re-sworn as sheriff of Richland County, Tues. morning, Jan. 5. The oath of office was administered at the Richland County Courthouse in downtown Columbia byContinue Reading
Knights of Columbus honors Community Action Team officer By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. (RCSD) Lieutenant Marcus Kim was named DEPUTY SHERIFF OF THE YEAR 2020 by the Knights of Columbus’ Bishop England Assembly during ceremonies honoring Kim at RCSD’s Community Action Team (CAT) headquarters, Tues., Dec.Continue Reading
Koon’s Watch With Christmas season comes more generosity. People are giving and sharing and spreading holiday joy. This is the perfect time for thieves to take advantage of your generosity and distraction of holiday celebrations. They use world events like the newest vaccine to trick people into buying fake productsContinue Reading
William Chad Marino, age 50, was found guilty of Distribution of Heroin Third Offense November 19, in Lexington County General Sessions Court. Chief Administrative Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr., presided over the trial of this case and imposed a sentence under seal because Marino failed to appear for trial. OnContinue Reading
Koon’s Watch Not a creature was stirring, except the awesome delivery drivers. Many people receive the majority of their package deliveries this month, and even more so in 2020. And thieves know that means an easy payday. Over the next few weeks, deputies are conducting extra patrols in your neighborhoodsContinue Reading
State Law Enforcement Division agents arrested a former Lexington County deputy Thursday in connection to an on-duty assault charge. Matthew Fields, 37, is charged with third-degree assault and battery, according to an arrest warrant. The charge stems from a July 2 arrest in which Fields was involved. Fields struck aContinue Reading
Koon’s Watch You might have most of your holiday shopping done already, or be like me—working through your lists when you have the free time. This time of year brings about extra concerns, whether shopping online or in stores. Especially with extra distractions brought on by COVID-19 and aContinue Reading
Lexington County deputies have arrested a man accused of severely injuring his 2-month-old child. James McQueen Boltin Jr., 25, is charged with inflicting great bodily injury upon a child, according to an arrest warrant. “Detectives have talked with health care providers, caretakers and family members as part of their investigation,”Continue Reading