MAN ARRESTED ON SEX CRIMES

Damon C. Dorman, 22, of Pelion faces 5 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors.

Dorman was arrested Jan. 27. He is charged with 2 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 2nd degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count; and 3 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 3rd degree, a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led them to Dorman.

Investigators state Dorman distributed and possessed files of child sexual abuse material.

FATAL SHOOTING ON PLATT SPRINGS

Lexington County deputies have arrested a Lexington man accused of fatally shooting a man at a business early Sunday morning.

Regin Nicreis Oakman, 26, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest reports.

The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Michael Lewis Keaton of Gaston, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said the shooting stemmed from an argument between to the 2 men who worked together at the business.

Deputies arrested Oakman without incident Sunday afternoon. He was transported to the Lexington County Detention Center where he awaits a bond hearing.

90 POUNDS OF DRUGS SEIZED

Lexington County arrested a Red Bank man after finding more than 90 pounds of marijuana in his home.

Javier Ayala, 26, is charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to warrants.

“We received a community tip drug activity was taking place at Ayala’s home in the 200 block of Crestridge Drive,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Members of the Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team made contact with him at his home and smelled the marijuana as they talked to him.”

Agents also recovered more than $26,000 in cash and 4 handguns, according to Koon.

“The drugs, guns and money were all found in Ayala’s bedroom,” Koon said. “We estimate the street value of the marijuana seized to be about $455,000.”

Ayala was arrested at his home. He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

SPRINGDALE DRUG BUST

Springdale police arrested a California man after a brief vehicle pursuit and foot chase.

Springdale police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle after the driver failed to stop for a stop sign in front of the officer. The driver failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The driver ran his vehicle into a ditch.

He tried to run on foot but was quickly apprehended.

He was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and nearly 10 pounds of marijuana and pills.

He was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana within proximity to a school, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine 3rd offense, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine within proximity to a school, trafficking cocaine, trafficking cocaine within proximity to a school, possession of a schedule 2 narcotic, failure to stop for blue lights, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension.

ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGED

A Swansea man accused of stabbing a man Saturday was arrested Jan. 25 at his home.

Marshal Adam Hogston, 25, is charged with attempted murder, carjacking and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, accord ing to arrest warrants.

“Witnesses have told detectives a man with multiple stab wounds was dropped off in front of a home in the 300 block of Havenwood Drive in Gaston Saturday afternoon,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

“Based on our review of the evidence, Hogston got into the victim’s car and drove away. They had arrived at that location in the victim’s car just moments before.”

The victim is in serious condition, according to his medical team at a local hospital.

Hogston’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after a magistrate judge denied his bond Tuesday morning.

PELION MAN SOUGHT FOR MURDER

Orangeburg County deputies have arrested 1 man and are searching for a 2nd suspect who may be tied to a deadly shooting that happened in Orangeburg in December.

According to the sheriff’s office, Aloysius Green was charged with the shooting death of 49-year-old Karl Williams, a popular school teacher in Orangeburg County.

Green has also been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that happened last week.

Investigators are looking for 18-year-old Calik Guinyard of Pelion. Officials have identified Guinyard as another suspect in the deadly shooting. He also faces a murder charge.

If you have any information about Guinyard’s whereabouts, please call the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office at 803-534-3550 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).

THIEF ARRESTED IN STOLEN CAMPER

Lexington County deputies arrested a Leesville man last week after they found him hiding in a stolen camper.

Rex Jason Corder, 53, is charged with operating a chop shop and receiving stolen goods, according to arrest warrants.

“Detectives received a community tip about a stolen trailer on some property in the 1300 block of Reed O. Smith Road,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “They got a search warrant and found the stolen trailer along with a stolen camper and a stolen SUV.”

Investigators found Corder hiding under a bed in the stolen camper. He was arrested and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center.

The stolen items have been returned, said Koon.

GILBERT MAN DIES IN CAR CRASH

Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the individual who died following a motor vehicle collision on Highway 378 near the intersection of Shorty Road on Jan. 26.

Michael Wayne Harrison, 75, of Gilbert was pronounced dead at the scene.

Harrison was turning left onto the roadway from a private driveway when his vehicle was struck by a vehicle traveling west on US 378. Harrison was wearing a seat belt when the collision occurred.

The driver and passenger of the other vehicle were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

An autopsy, conducted on January 27, 2021, concluded that Harrison’s death was the result of a natural medical event, which occurred immediately prior to the collision.

PELION PEDESTRIAN KILLED

A pedestrian was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle in the 1300 block of US 178 in Pelion.

William Cody Miller, 28, of Pelion was walking in the roadway on Jan. 27 when he was struck by a southbound vehicle. Miller was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

An investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol is ongoing.

2 DEAD AFTER POLICE CHASE

A Pelion woman was one of 2 women who died while running from police last week.

Sara Hudson, 28, of Pelion and Victor Addotta, 33, of Columbia died after hitting a cement truck head-on while being chased by deputies, according to Coroner Naida Rutherford.

The incident happened on Screaming Eagle Road Jan. 25.

Deputies began a chase with the 2 who were in a stolen Ford Escape on Blue Bird Lane, which had been spray painted to hide the vehicle’s emblems and had expired tags, according to deputies.

CRIME NEVER STOPS

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