Richland County Sheriff’s Department has fired one of its deputies after he was caught in a sting operation. The sting was targeting child sex predators and people looking to buy sex resulting in arrest warrants being issued for 28 people, including Derek Vandenham a now former deputy who was onContinue Reading

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the motorcyclist who died as a result of a collision with an 18-wheeler. The collision occurred on the Lake Murray Dam (S.C. Hwy 6) shortly before 9 pm July 29. John William Bafford III, 32, of Gilbert was pronounced dead at the sceneContinue Reading

Lexington County deputies have arrested a man in connection to a motor vehicle theft with a child inside. Roberto Lee Herrera, 39, was apprehended after deputies located him driving a vehicle reported stolen at the intersection of Platt Springs and Ramblin Road in West Columbia. “Deputies responded to a call shortly afterContinue Reading

Lexington County deputies have charged a Lexington woman and a minor in connection with a shooting Wednesday night in Gilbert.  Brandi Ann Strawderman, 20, is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants. The minor is charged with attempted murder andContinue Reading

Joseph Edward Swearingen, III, a 24 year old Lexington County man, pled guilty July 23 to Felony Driving Under the Influence with Great Bodily Injury and Possession of Cocaine – Second Offense. Swearingen received the maximum sentence of fifteen (15) years on the Felony DUI charge followed by four (4)Continue Reading

John Bradley, Flotilla Commander, Coast Guard Auxiliary Lake Murray, holds a membership growth certificate presented to him July 13, at Coast Guard Station Charleston. The award recognizes Bradley’s contributions to the growth of Auxiliary membership. It was presented by Commodore Gary Barth (left), on behalf of the Seventh Coast GuardContinue Reading

By W. Thomas Smith Jr. In January of 2018, the Richland County Sheriff’s Deptartment (RCSD) became the first sheriff’s office, nationwide, to add the words PEACE OFFICER to several of its marked patrol vehicles, ultimately its entire fleet of more than 600 marked vehicles. RCSD was selected along with theContinue Reading

Lexington County narcotics agents have arrested six people on drug charges after tracking two wanted subjects to a home in Lexington. Deputies responded to the 100 block of Browning Court July 12 after receiving tips about a woman wanted for a parole violation and a man wanted on a familyContinue Reading