Lexington County officials resumed court activity for General Sessions guilty pleas inside the Mark H. Westbrook Judicial Center June 4.

The courts have been closed to in-person activity since March 23 due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Lexington County Clerk of Court Lisa Cromer and Chief Administrative Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr. issued safety precautions including mandatory face masks for participants, social distancing, and a requirement that no more than 10 persons be present inside the courtroom.

Chief Administrative Judge Addy presided over Thursday’s proceedings.

He ruled:

• Joseph Anthony Moye, 44, received the maximum sentence of 15 years for criminal sexual conduct with a minor, 3rd degree. This crime occurred in the Spring of 2017. Moye is a repeat sex offender, with prior convictions for criminal sexual conduct, burglary, and strong arm robbery.

• Ekarius Moore, 19, was sentenced to 14 years for 2 counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, stemming from a shooting incident which occurred on December 3, 2017. Two female victims were shot and injured following a verbal altercation with Moore. Both survived.

• Maximilian P. Krause, 23, pled guilty to unlawful conduct towards a child and was sentenced to 10 years, suspended upon the service of 6 years incarceration. Krause was charged with assaulting a 2-year-old victim on September 22, 2019.

• Tavis Werts, 27, pled guilty to assault and battery, 1st degree for his role in a drive-by shooting that occurred in downtown Batesburg May 4, 2018.