According to WACH, On Wednesday, a number of individuals are set to appear in bond court following charges stemming from investigations conducted within state correctional facilities, as reported by the Office of the Attorney General.
Attorney General Alan Wilson announced these charges, which arise from collaborative efforts involving the State Grand Jury Division of the Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General, and various local law enforcement agencies.
Bond hearings for some of the defendants are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday before the Honorable Robert Hood at the Richland County Courthouse.
In the ongoing investigation dubbed “Clean Sweep,” the South Carolina State Grand Jury has indicted two additional individuals related to an investigation into the Lee Correctional Institution. This inquiry involves allegations of attempted murder and public corruption.
The indictments charge Dexter Brown with assault and attempted murder of a fellow inmate. The investigation also implicates Regina James, a correctional officer accused of participating in a contraband conspiracy with alleged co-conspirator Dexter Bernard Brown. James is also alleged to have failed to report significant information about the assault on an inmate by Brown.
The “Off Tract” investigation targets Kershaw Correctional Institution in Lancaster County, involving current and former inmates, civilian co-conspirators, and an active correctional officer. The accusations include drug trafficking conspiracy, illegal contraband trade, and money laundering.
The “Sneaky Sticks” investigation addresses public corruption involving correctional officers and inmates related to narcotics and contraband trafficking at the Turbeville, Lieber, and Kershaw correctional institutions.
Attorney General Alan Wilson emphasized the commitment to tackling crimes and public corruption within South Carolina’s correctional facilities. “Our office, in partnership with SLED, SCDC, and other agencies, is dedicated to addressing criminal activities within SCDC and the corruption enabling these crimes,” Wilson stated. “SCDC officers and staff who betray the public trust will be held accountable by this dedicated team of prosecutors and law enforcement.”
Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, expressed his stance on corruption. “These cases illustrate that SCDC will not tolerate corruption,” Stirling said. “Employees who break the law and compromise public trust will face consequences. We are committed to prosecuting those who introduce contraband into SCDC facilities, ensuring public and staff safety.”
The charges against the individuals are as follows:
- Attempted Murder: 0 to 30 Years
- Rioting or Inciting to Riot: 5 to 10 Years
- Inmate Carrying or Concealing a Weapon: 0 to 10 Years (consecutive to current sentence)
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0 to 10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0 to 5 Years
- Misconduct in Office: 0 to 10 Years
Antonett Louise Brown-Toney:
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Money Laundering, value $20,000 to $100,000 (2 Counts): 0-20 Years
- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200 grams or more (conspiracy): 25 Years
- Trafficking Marijuana, 10 to 100 pounds (conspiracy): 1-10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200 grams or more (conspiracy): 25 Years
- Trafficking Marijuana, 10 to 100 pounds (conspiracy): 1-10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband: 1-10 Years
- Money Laundering, value $20,000 to $100,000 (2 Counts): 0-20 Years
- Misconduct in Office: 0 to 10 Years
- Ethics Violation: 0 to 10 Years
- Trafficking Marijuana, 10 to 100 pounds (conspiracy): 1-10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Trafficking Methamphetamine, 200 grams or more (conspiracy): 25 Years
- Trafficking Marijuana, 10 to 100 pounds (conspiracy): 1-10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband: 1-10 Years
- Money Laundering, value $20,000 to $100,000 (2 Counts): 0-20 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband (2 counts): 1-10 Years
- Trafficking Fentanyl, 4-14 grams: 7 to 25 Years
- Misconduct in Office: 0 to 10 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband (2 counts): 1-10 Years
- Misconduct in Office (2 counts): 0 to 10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband (2 counts): 1-10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
- Attempt to Furnish Prisoner with Contraband (5 counts): 1-10 Years
- Misconduct in Office (5 counts): 0 to 10 Years
- Criminal Conspiracy: 0-5 Years
The investigations were conducted by the South Carolina State Grand Jury with assistance from the Attorney General’s State Grand Jury Division, SLED, and the South Carolina Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.
The cases will be prosecuted by State Grand Jury Division Chief Attorney Creighton Waters, Assistant Deputy Attorney General David Fernandez, Assistant Attorney General Jennifer McKellar, Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Lunsford, and Special Assistant Attorney General Margaret Scott.
