Mar 8, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Felony Drug Possession, Uncategorized
A group of Hell’s Angels’ members in the northern South Carolina region are set to go in front of a judge and jury. The two year investigation tallied up charges for members ranging from drug trafficking, money laundering, and prostitution.
The police allege that the group president, from Lancaster, SC, directed and approved criminal activity of other members of the motorcycle gang. Police even contend that he was involved personally in some of the crimes.
If you or a loved one has received charges resulting from a criminal investigation, make sure to call on proper representation. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP., we understand the stigma that is associated with being associated with motorcycle compatriots, and further understand that confusion can be associated with being involved in such a group. Therefore, if you have been charged with a crime because of your association with a motorcycle group, call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999, for a consultation.
Mar 7, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Uncategorized
Three men have been arrested by the York County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Office whom they say caused a February power outage at a York Electric sub station. However, the K-9 unit led deputies to a home in Clover where two men were found.
Detectives proceeded to search the home, and seized evidence related to several thefts. It is also reported that detectives received information at this search which helped them to apprehend a Sharon, SC man. Wire connectors and four large batteries were found in the man’s home.
It was alleged by the deputies that the men were involved in a string of thefts throughout York County, and the damage is estimated at around $20,000. The investigation has been going on since December of last year.
If you or someone close to you has been implicated in a crime, be sure to have proper representation. Call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP or a consultation. Our Baxter Village office telephone number is 803-548-4444, and toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 7, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Felony Drug Possession, Uncategorized
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, A Clover High School student has been implicated in the sale of prescription pills, when a he allegedly sold a female two Adderall pills. Also, last week three teens were arrested for allegedly planning to deal drugs at the school. Adderall is a controlled substance used to treat attention deficit disorder.
The police further found text messages which they state was to arrange the sale of pills. The student was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Student searches are governed by the following South Carolina Statutes:
SECTION 59-63-1110. Consent to search person or his effects.
Any person entering the premises of any school in this State shall be deemed to have consented to a reasonable search of his person and effects.
SECTION 59-63-1120. Searches by school administrators or officials with or without probable cause.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, school administrators and officials may conduct reasonable searches on school property of lockers, desks, vehicles, and personal belongings such as purses, book-bags, wallets, and satchels with or without probable cause.
SECTION 59-63-1130. Searches by principals or their designees.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, school principals or their designees may conduct reasonable searches of the person and property of visitors on school premises.
SECTION 59-63-1140. Strip searches prohibited.
No school administrator may conduct a strip search.
However, notwithstanding these laws, New Jersey v. T.L.O, 469 U.S. 328 is a U.S. Supreme Court case that states that administrators at public high schools must receive training in the “reasonableness” standard under existing case law, and must be informed as to the procedures established as to how to conduct a school search.
If you or a loved one has been subject to a search either on or off school property, it is very important to ensure that such search was reasonable. Call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. You can call our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 7, 2013 | Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Felony Drug Possession, Uncategorized
Last week a narcotics investigation resulted in the closing down of a methamphetamine lab in Rock Hill. According to the York County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, this is the third bust in two weeks. There are reports that meth was being purchased at the home.
When police searched the home, they reported to have found meth, pills, digital scales and plastic bags. According to the report, police seized approximately 500 grams of methamphetamine, Darvacet, Adderall, and Hydrocodone. The arrestees are being held at the Moss Justice Detention Center in York County.
If you have been charged with a drug related crime, it is important that you get competent council as soon as possible. The complications of the legal system can most adequately be navigated by a trained professional who knows the law. Call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, as we are here to assist you with your legal problem. You can reach our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 7, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Felony Drug Possession, Uncategorized
Two South Carolina men have been arrested after the Rock Hill Police Department seized several stolen guns, phones, drugs, and a sum of money earlier last week. The police had an arrest warrant for an 18-year-old suspected of distributing marijuana, when they entered the house.
The men were charged with two counts of possession of a stolen pistol, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as possession of crack-cocaine. The Rock Hill Multijurisdictional drug unit responded to the scene.
It is important that when a person allows police to enter his or her house, he understands his rights when is comes to warrant requirements. South Carolina has determined that a warrant legally and duly issued authorizes a law enforcement officer to arrest the individual named therein. Further, the South Carolina Constitution provides that “no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the person to be seized. S.C. Const. Article I, Section 10.
It has been long established in South Carolina that an arrest under a warrant not supported by oath or affirmation showing probable cause is illegal, entitling the person arrested to be discharged. Also, the arresting officer must be sure to show the warrant upon request; but, a known officer need not do so. It is important to note that, in South Carolina, the law presumes the arresting officer is known to the person arrested. State v. Higgins, 51 S.C. 51, 54-55 (1897).
The South Carolina Supreme Court has determined that a law enforcement officer is authorized to make a warrantless arrest based upon his knowledge that a valid arrest warrant has been issued against the defendant. State v. Grant, 310 S.C. 240 (1992). A search warrant, on the other hand, is prescribed by statute, and may be issued on an affidavit reciting the facts on information and belief and must show the source of the affiants information. Further, it must be sworn on information and belief that does not contain sufficient information, and must be supplemented by oral testimony before the issuing magistrate. The search warrant must be supported by probable cause by stating the facts related to the time of the issuance, so to justify probable cause at that exact time. State v. Corns, 310 S.C. 546, 548 (1992).
When police are at your door, and it is that moment before you ask them “can I see a warrant,” make sure that you know that an arrest warrant will be issued for a person, and a search warrant is that which is issued on the residence. A person who is implicated in a crime associated with a search warrant must know how to read such a document. The document must describe with particularity, the places to be searched, or the persons or things to be seized. If the holder of a warrant knocks on your door, make sure to read the document carefully. They may only search what is described in the warrant, unless an exception applies.
If you or a loved one has been subject to a warrantless search, or a search you think may have been conducted with a warrant absent probable cause, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We understand the law, and can interpret what probable cause the warrant has established. For a consultation, call 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 6, 2013 | Assault and Battery, Criminal Defense, Drug Crimes and Controlled Substances Defense, Uncategorized
Two Rock Hill residents are now facing criminal charges after a shooting took place Saturday night in Fort Mill.
According to reports, the shooting occurred around 10:15 p.m. at an apartment complex near the Fort Mill Square Shopping Center, right at the corner of Highway 160 and Doby’s Bridge Road. The Fort Mill Police have reported that incident was triggered when the 23 year old Rock Hill resident went to the apartment complex to pick up his child. Shortly upon arrival, a man fired a handgun at the 23 year old multiple times while another resident was hiding in the apartment.
The victim states that a man was waiting in the doorway of the apartment for his arrival. When the victim got there, a 24 year old Rock Hill resident began to argue with the the man.
The man waiting then escalated the fight when he pulled the handgun out of his waistband. The 24 year ols subsequently chased the victim into the parking lot while waiving the handgun and yelling obscenities at the victim.
The victim says that he had to take cover in his sister’s apartment that was nearby, after the 24 year old shot at the victim numerous times. The shooter actually missed the victim, but instead his bullets hit a Ford Explorer two times in the parking lot.
Both the victim and the shooter fled the scene when they heard the sound of the police arriving, as they led the cops down a 9-mile chase down Cherry Road, towards Heckle Blvd.
According to reports, the Rock Hill police were forced to use stop sticks on the road, in order to disable the vehicle that the shooter was driving. Subsequnelty, the shooter actually jumped out of the vehicle while in transit, and began to run on foot from the police.
Reports drafted by the policeman state that the person hiding in the apartment then kicked in two doors and then began to physcially assualt the mother of his two children after the police were distracted by the chase. The police found the battered woman with blood in her nostrils and brusies around her eyes.
Moreover, the Fort Mill police found a .380 caliber Cobra gun along side Brickyard Road in the grass, where the intial chase began.
The charges issued to the shooter are as follows: attempted murder, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of felony, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The victim was charged with driving under suspension, failure to stop for blue lights( for “running from the patrol car”) and accessory after the fact to a felony.
Any crime offense or drug charge can bring many difficulties in an individual’s life. Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our criminal attorneys. Our criminal attorneys handle many types of criminal cases in North and South Carolina, including criminal drug and burglary cases. Contact us today at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
