Lexington man charged with attempted murder

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has announced charges against a Lexington County man in connection with an officerinvolved shooting incident.

Mark Louis Cote, 70, has been charged with attempted murder, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and malicious injury to personal property valued at more than $2,000.

On Sept. 5, shots were fired between Cote and a deputy from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department who was responding to a domestic violence call.

The deputy was taken to the hospital with non lifethreatening injuries.

Following the exchange of gunfire, Cote retreated into his home with his firearm and a multi-hour standoff with law enforcement ensued. After 10 hours, Cote surrendered and was taken into custody.

No physical injuries were found on Cote, but he was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. He was later booked at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Armed robbery suspect arrested

A robbery early Saturday at the 7 Eleven at 4301 Sunset Boulevard has resulted in an arrest in Lexington.

Lexington police reported at approximately 4 am officers were dispatched to the 7 Eleven for an armed robbery.

An employee told officers that a black male wearing a ski mask and acting as if he had a handgun under his clothing demanded money.

The employee gave the robber almost $500 in cash and the suspect ran from the business.

The subject is identified as Rodney Mckensey James Jr., 20, of Wagner.

The subject admitted to police in an interview he gestured that he had a weapon but did not have a handgun, police said. He was found to have almost $500 in cash in his possession.

He was placed under arrest for armed robbery and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center to await a bond hearing.

Gaston man charged with child sexual abuse

Vicente Montes Higuera, 54, of Gaston, was arrested on 4 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors.

Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest.

Investigators with the SC Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Higuera.

Investigators state Higuera distributed files of child sexual abuse material.

Higuera was arrested on Sept. 8. He is charged with 4 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 2nd degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Swansea car chase

On September 3, Swansea Police attempted to stop a chevy truck for suspicious activity and minor traffic violations.

The driver of the truck Dustin Jeffcoat fled at a high rate of speed with officers behind him with blue lights and sirens blaring.

After driving through several fielded areas off of Redmond Mill Rd, the truck became stuck. Once the dust settled officers found the truck abandoned.

Through the investigation it was revealed Jeffcoat was using his mothers truck and knew he was suspended (DUS 4th) and did not want to go to jail at that time.

Jeffcoat made contact with officers over the weekend and agreed to turn himself in today. Jeffcoat was charged with several violations.

Swansea Police Department would like to thank Pelion Police Department, Gaston Police Department and SLED for their assistance with the chase and the investigation into this matter.