news in brief

Gilbert sex offender gets 25 years for kidnapping

Christopher Jody Jennings, 47, of Gilbert, pled guilty to kidnapping and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct against a 21-year-old woman.

Chief Administrative Judge Frank R. Addy, Jr., sentenced Jennings to 25 years in prison on both charges.

Jennings also pled guilty to Carjacking and received a concurrent 20-year sentence.

The kidnapping and carjacking occurred in Lexington County and the assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct occurred in Aiken County.

Under South Carolina Law, all three charges are classified as “no parole” offenses.

Pedestrian killed in Chapin

Evan E. Bowersox, 24, of Lexington was struck by a motor vehicle and killed.

According to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fishers, Bowersox died at the scene from injuries.

The incident occurred in the gravel lot surrounding a storage facility in Chapin.

The driver of the vehicle, who was not injured, and others present at the scene attempted to render aid.

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Pelion man convicted of loan fraud

Richard Earl Jeffcoat, 52, of Pelion, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison and 6 months of home confinement after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud.

Senior United States District Court Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia imposed the sentence and ordered Jeffcoat to pay over $45,000 in restitution to the victim, Arthur State Bank.

Facts presented in court established that Jeffcoat is an accountant who was producing false documentation in support of loan applications and giving that information to an Arthur State Bank loan officer. Some were for Jeffcoat’s family members.

Rabid cat attacks 3 in Lexington

The SC Department of Health and Environment Control confirms 3 people had been exposed to rabies May 10.

The victims were attacked by a stray cat near downtown Lexington, DHEC reported.

DHEC’s lab confirmed the cat had rabies.

The exposed individuals have been referred to their health care providers.

This is the 9th animal to test positive for rabies in Lexington County this year.

Driver crashes into Lexington animal hospital

Grace Animal Hospital in Lexington received a shock last Thursday when an SUV crashed through the lobby.

One woman was pushed across the floor from the impact, but was not injured.

The hospital on Charter Oak Rd. will remain open and a temporary wall installed.

Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.

Gaston duo arrested for meth, gun possession

Lexington County narcotics agents arrested 2 people and seized a large quantity of meth, cash and a gun from a Gaston home last week.

Daniel Scott Burgess, 35, is charged with trafficking meth and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, according to warrants.

Jessica Nicole Geohagan, 27, is charged with trafficking meth and possessing a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants.

Agents seized 22 grams of meth, 35 grams of marijuana and over $8,000 in cash from a home on Busbee Road, said Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

Geohagan was arrested at Burgess’ home and found to be in possession of 52 grams of meth and a handgun, according to Koon.

Burgess is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center. Geohagan has been released after posting bond.

Irmo woman dies in single-vehicle accident

Alexis Younginer, 26, of Irmo died May 16 in a single-vehicle accident on West Dunbar Rd. in West Columbia.

Younginer’s vehicle left the right side of the roadway and collided with a tree. She was wearing a seat belt when the incident occurred.

Younginer was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries, according to Coroner Margaret Fisher.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Columbia man stabbed his mother to death

Lexington County deputies arrested and charged a Columbia man after he stabbed his mother to death.

J.W. Hayes Jr., 40, is charged with murder and possessing a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants.

The victim was Jocelyn Murray, 60, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Hayes lived with Murray in the apartment in which her caretaker found her Saturday morning, according to Koon. Deputies arrested Hayes without incident Friday afternoon.

He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center while he awaits a bond hearing.

Lexington man struck, killed in Gilbert

Damarj Torrel Morris, 18, of Lexington was struck and killed on Broad Street in Gilbert Saturday.

According to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher, Morris was in the roadway when he was struck by a motor vehicle.

Morris was pronounced dead at the scene due to his injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, who was not injured, stopped at the scene to render aid.

An investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol is ongoing.

Lexington man charged with child pornography

Matthew Robert Blackwell, 21, of Lexington has been charged in connection to the sexual exploitation of a minor.

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

Investigators said Blackwell produced child pornography.

The offense is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.

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