February 27 11:34 PM

Regional Briefs

Published in News & Commentary

By Todd Morehead

ANDERSON

Big week for flashers in Anderson James Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty last week to exposing himself to a police officer, but also claimed the incident was a misunderstanding. According to the Anderson Independent-Mail Thompson drew light laughter from the courtroom when he tried to demonstrate why he was found walking down a street with a portion of his anatomy exposed. His shirt, he claims, was caught in his zipper.

“I don’t wear drawers,” he explained. “When I tried to put it back it was too late.” The judge, who gave Thompson a choice between a $465 fine or 30 days in jail, advised the man to get pants with a working zipper or to “start wearing drawers.” In a separate incident a 25-year-old Anderson County woman reported being flashed by a male motorist. According to a police report, the man pulled alongside the victim and “pulled his pants down.” So far no arrests have been made.

Man drives stolen car to police station to file complaint

ANDERSON COUNTY —

A man who showed up at the Anderson County sheriff’s office demanding close to $2000 that was seized from him during a June methamphetamine bust was arrested again when authorities noticed he had arrived in a stolen car.

After demanding the return of his money, authorities say Charles Noah Chambers left the parking lot behind the wheel of a Saab that had been reported stolen from a used car lot the night before. When police caught up to Chambers and asked him to pull over, they say he killed the ignition switch with “a screwdriver.” He was also driving with a suspended license.

CHARLESTON

Enraged Ninth District assistant solicitor brandished gun in traffic, authorities say

MOUNT PLEASANT –William Grayson Ervin, 29, a former Ninth District assistant solicitor, has been charged with pointing and presenting a firearm after allegedly menacing a female motorist on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge with a .40-caliber Glock handgun. Patricia Cannon-Fisher says she was on the way to Wal-Mart and was apparently, she told the Charleston Post & Courier, not “moving fast enough for him.” When Ervin was finally able to pass, she says, “he was holding it sideways and was screaming.”

Cannon-Fisher says she jotted down Ervin’s plate number on a foam cup and called police who caught up with the solicitor and hauled him to jail. Ervin was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond and was immediately fired from his position by Solicitor Scarlett Wilson. Cannon-Fisher told reporters that she was so shaken by the incident she forgot to go to Wal-Mart.

FLORENCE / MYRTLE BEACH

Nine-year-old shot in face over potato chips said to be recovering

DILLON—A nine-year-old Dillon County girl is said to be recovering after being shot in the face by her 10-year-old brother over a bag of potato chips. Having been denied access to the snack treats, the boy loaded a shell into his father’s shotgun and fired, wounding the girl in her right cheek. The victim, whose name has not been released, had to undergo emergency plastic surgery in Charleston and is reportedly home now continuing her recovery.

County councilman accused of assault at Girl Scout event

MARLBORO COUNTY—Marlboro County Councilman, Kenneth Allen, has been accused of shoving a man in a church parking lot following a Girl Scout event, according to a report filed with the Marlboro County sheriff’s office. According to the report, Allen confronted the man for making statements about his wife. So far no arrest has been made.

Florence woman stabs wheelchair-bound brother during argument

Michelle Williams, 17, of Florence was charged with assault and battery after stabbing her wheelchair-bound brother in the back with a kitchen knife following an argument. Witnesses told police the brother was intoxicated and had become verbally abusive. After being stabbed the brother reportedly wheeled himself to the hospital.

GREENVILLE / SPARTANBURG

Toddler shoots sleeping mother

Sadie Ann Davidson, 27, of Gaffney is recovering after her 3-year-old son shot her in the face while she napped. She did not sustain serious injuries in the incident and was has been charged with child neglect and simple drug possession after authorities found marijuana on the premises. NEWBERRY

Runaway taxi smashes through convenience store Five people were injured last week when cab driver Miranda Wheeler, 55, of Newberry lost control of her taxi and drove it into an area Citgo station. Witnesses say Wheeler then put the car in reverse, exited the store and backed into several cars in an adjoining used car lot. Michael Burnside, an employee of the car lot, told the Newberry Observer he heard the “the tires burning” as the car backed out of the store. He then rushed inside to help the injured, some of whom were trapped under toppled shelving. One clerk reportedly sought medical treatment after being hit in the head with a flying beer can. Authorities believe the car might have had mechanical problems.

GREENWOOD

School bus driver charged with taping kids mouths shut

WARE SHOALS—Greenwood County authorities have charged a 35-year-old former school bus driver with cruelty to children after she admitting to duct taping their mouths shut during a particularly loud ride. Helen Curry, 35, said she gave them the choice to be written up for bad behavior or have their mouths taped shut. The students reported the incident after the bus driver was fired for another undisclosed reason.