Horry County officer charged with arson

HA! It sucks being locked up dosn't it?

It seems to me that Horry County needs to have SLED check out the guys they are hiring. It is getting more difficult to tell the good guys from the bad. I just hate to think we the citizens are paying the criminals.You know you just expect better from law enforcement than the average person.

Code 1976 § 16-11-110
Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976 Annotated Currentness
Title 16. Crimes and Offenses
Chapter 11. Offenses Against Property
Article 3. Arson and Other Offenses Involving Fire
§ 16-11-110. Arson.
(A) A person who wilfully and maliciously causes an explosion, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned or aids, counsels, or procures a burning that results in damage to a building, structure, or any property specified in subsections (B) and (C) whether the property of himself or another, which results, either directly or indirectly, in death or serious bodily injury to a person is guilty of arson in the first degree and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than ten nor more than thirty years.

There are not enough facts to condem this guy. A fire is something that may start out innocent enough and then get out of hand. Then, to show that there is no partisanship, HCPD has to charge the guy. Let him have his day in court. He may be able to prove it was an accident.

Rob wrote:

HA! It sucks being locked up dosn't it?

he was only in jail for aproximately 30 minutes. See who gets the good treatment

Local wrote:

There are not enough facts to condem this guy. A fire is something that may start out innocent enough and then get out of hand. Then, to show that there is no partisanship, HCPD has to charge the guy. Let him have his day in court. He may be able to prove it was an accident.

I agree. This occured over a year ago and not a lot of details have been released yet.

He's a police officer but like the rest of us he deserves his day in court. I am by far not on the police pep squad but do believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly with due process. Take it easy on this man and let the judicial system do its job.

You people don't even know what you are talking about. He has not been proven guilty there is only probable cause. Please don't show your ignorance on here for others and family members to see. Oh and "karma" you obviously dont even know what he's been charged with. It was a woods fire not a structure and no one got injured or killed in other words go read your law book again.

billyg wrote:

It seems to me that Horry County needs to have SLED check out the guys they are hiring. It is getting more difficult to tell the good guys from the bad. I just hate to think we the citizens are paying the criminals.You know you just expect better from law enforcement than the average person.

There was a SLED investigation and that doesn't determine if someone is willing to committ another crime. Look at the teachers who have been charged in our county and in other states. None of them had a prior record....so explain that!

this is not an indictment on law enforcement officers but on one man. lets see when he goes to court if he is innocent or guilty

Yes.....last time I checked, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately the public usually condemns a person once an accusation has been made. Let this man have his day in court, that is the way our system works?

SLED is woefully under staffed and has a large back log of cases to review. Hence, you have questionable law enforcement activities.

Tee wrote:

<quoted text>
There was a SLED investigation and that doesn't determine if someone is willing to committ another crime. Look at the teachers who have been charged in our county and in other states. None of them had a prior record....so explain that!

I didn't say this would prevent them from committing a crime.It seems like our local law enforcment has been charged with a few crimes this year. I hope that none of the police officers are guilty but there is a reason they are being charged. Maybe they are at the wrong place at the wrong time. I guess once they have there day in court we will know what really happened to lead to the charges.

Why in the world would he set the fire? What is in it for him? What is Law Enforcement coming to here? From stealing from businesses in conway and taking the stolen goods home, to fixing DUIs for cash, to picking up hookers??? Come on people, PROTECT AND SERVE the PUBLIC!

Local wrote:

There are not enough facts to condem this guy. A fire is something that may start out innocent enough and then get out of hand. Then, to show that there is no partisanship, HCPD has to charge the guy. Let him have his day in court. He may be able to prove it was an accident.

Are you privy to facts that have not been published in the media yet because it does seem that "the facts" have not all been disiminated to the public? So I'm not sure I understand your statement that, "There aren't enought facts to condem this guy." How do you know that?