6 years for Lexington woman

Candice Johnson Dooley, 40, of Lexington, was sentenced to nearly 6 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

On December 21, 2018, deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to Dooley’s residence in search of a fugitive.

Dooley allowed law enforcement to look inside the residence, and upon entering, they observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.

Law enforcement located approximately 241 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 2 grams of cocaine, baggies commonly used to package drugs for individual sales, and digital scales. Dooley admitted to possessing the drugs and making drug sales.

United States District Judge Mary G. Lewis sentenced Dooley to 70 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

Man charged with sexually assaulting child

A Gilbert man is accused of sexually assaulting a female child at a family gathering last weekend.

Jose Perez, 24, is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping, according to arrest warrants.

Detectives determined Perez forced the child away from the gathering and into a van where he had sexual contact with her.

Perez also sexually assaulted the girl in a truck on the Redhaven Road property, according to Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

The kidnapping charge stems from Perez forcing the child into the 2 vehicles, restricting her movements and holding her against her will.

Deputies arrested Perez on the scene Sunday. He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Gilbert vehicle fatality

Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the motorcyclist who died as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle that occurred at the near the intersection of US Highway 378 and Spool Wheel Road at approximately 03:55 pm on August 17.

Paul Edward Yon, 56, of Leesville was pronounced dead at an area hospital due to his injuries on Aug. 29.

Yon was traveling westbound on US Hwy 378 when the other vehicle turned left onto the roadway, causing Yon to collide with the side of it.

Yon’s motorcycle then left the roadway and struck a ditch. Yon was not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred.

The incident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Swansea car crash victim ID’ed

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the individual who died as a result of a single-vehicle collision that occurred at approximately 10:40 pm on August 29 on US 321 near Lewis Rast Road in Swansea.

Antonio Demond Robinson, 37, of Norway, SC, was traveling toward Columbia when his vehicle left the right side of the roadway and collided with a utility pole.

Robinson, who was not wearing a seat belt when the collision occurred, was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries.

The incident remains under investigation by the SC Highway Patrol.

Lexington police looking for thief

The Lexington Police Department needs help to identify this woman after she stole a purse from a victim while shopping at Goodwill on West Main Street.

The woman left the scene in a black 90’s model Dodge Ram pick up truck.

If you have information about this case, please contact Detective Payton at 803-358-7271.

Police seek home invaders

Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green is asking for help identifying 2 suspects in a home invasion at the Cedarcrest Village Apartments.

On Aug. 21, officers were dispatched 959 East Main St. in Lexington to the 700 building for a home invasion.

The victim stated that just after 9 pm she heard a knock at her front door. When she opened the door a black male pushed his way into the apartment and pointed a firearm at her while demanding money.

A 2nd black male entered the apartment and stayed with 2 juveniles who were inside the apartment.

The victim gave the robbers an undisclosed amount of cash and they fled from the apartment in an unknown direction.

The subjects were identified as in their early 20’s. One subject was described as approximately 5’8”, of slender build, and with short afro twists in his hair. He had a darker skin tone with a mustache and goatee. He was wearing a white shirt with a dark colored fitted ball cap.

The other subject was described as approximately 5’10”, average build, with short trimmed hair. He had a lighter skin tone with a trimmed mustache and goatee. He was wearing a blue collared shirt.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Payton at 803-358-7271.

7 arrested in alleged chop shop

Lexington County deputies have arrested 7 people in connection with an investigation into an alleged chop shop on Felix Drive in Leesville.

Search warrants led to the

following charges: • Larry Dwayne Arrants, 44, is charged with possession with intent to distribute meth.

• Daniel James McCarthy, 38, is charged with 4 counts of operating a chop shop, 2 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by someone convicted of a violent crime, possession of tools for criminal use, and unlawful carry of a handgun.

• Bryan James Osteen, 48, is charged with operating a chop shop.

• Angel Lynn Otto, 40, is charged with operating a chop shop and receiving stolen goods.

• Brittany Michelle Pownall, 30, is charged with receiving stolen goods.

• Mark Anthony Scheibler, 45, is charged with 2 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition by someone convicted of a violent crime, and possession of a Schedule I narcotic.

• Shaun Wayne Wiles, 41, is charged with 5 counts of operating a chop shop.

“The defendants charged with operating a chop shop were altering vehicle identification number plates, switching tags, pulling ignitions and otherwise disguising and misrepresenting multiple vehicles,” Koon said.

The 6 found vehicles were reported stolen out of Lexington and Richland counties.

Hit-and-run suspect sought

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is looking for the driver of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in Lexington County.

The 9:30 pm incident occurred Aug. 21 on Busbee Road near Pasture Road.

Officials say when a vehicle ran off the left side of the road and hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries.

SCHP says that the suspect was driving a black 2007-2014 Chevrolet or GMC Pickup or SUV. The vehicle was seen leaving the scene traveling west on Busbee Road toward Fish Hatchery Road.

The vehicle should have damage to the headlight on the driver’s side as well as a missing side mirror.

Anyone with information on the identity of the person responsible is asked to call SCHP at 803-896- 9621 or crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.

1 arrested, 1 sought in attempted murder

West Columbia police arrested 1 man and are seeking a 2nd in an Aug. 15 attempted murder.

A shooting occurred on the 1100 block of Leaphart Street in the evening hours Aug. 15.

On Aug. 25, investigators arrested Juston Dewayne Lyles Erving for attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Erving is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting bond.

Investigators are still searching for 29-year-old Antonio Deon Dortch who is wanted in connection to this shooting.

Dortch is described as a black male who is approximately 5’, 8” tall, 195 pounds, with a cross tattooed on his forehead.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Antonio Dortch should contact the West Columbia Police Deptartment at 803- 794-0721 or CrimeStoppers of the Midlands by using the P3 Tips App or by going to CrimeSC.com and clicking “Submit a Tip”.