Sheriff Leon Lott stated that at 10:30 AM Uniform Deputies, K9 Deputies and Narcotics Agents attempted to serve a search warrant at 1816 Laredo Drive in response to community concerns about drug activity. Deputies knocked several times on the door and when they got no response they announced themselves as “Sheriff’s Department” and forcibly entered the home – at which point April G. Bosket (DOB 3-8-69), Bosket’s wife, attempted block the deputies from entering the home. Larry Bosket then began firing a 357 revolver at the deputies – hitting Narcotics Agent Marcus Brown. Agent Brown and Agent Jason Williams returned fire hitting Larry Bosket.

Sheriff Lott stated that this investigation began in early March when agents from the Sheriff’s Department began surveillance in response to community complaints of drugs being sold at Rushmore and Broad River Road – as the investigation began agents witnessed Bosket selling marijuana to high school students. The high school students were arrested as a result of that investigation where photographs were also taken of the transactions --  the search warrant that was being served yesterday was obtained from a judge both from the arrest of the high school students and from additional evidence that was obtained by agents.

Agent Marcus Brown is being treated at Palmetto Health for a gun shot wound to the left arm and is expected to have a lengthy recovery period. Agent Jason Williams is on duty – they will both be cared for by departmental doctors and support staff in the recovery from this tragic event.   

·     Agent Brown has been with RCSD since 2000 after serving at the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety for two years

·     Agent Williams has been with RCSD since February 2006 after serving in the Army for six years

·     SLED agents have recovered four (4) pounds of Marijuana from inside 1816 Laredo and (3) three weapons (pellet rifle, sawed off shotgun and the 357 that Bosket used to shoot Agent Brown) and scales used to distribute marijuana

·     Sheriff Leon Lott stated that April Bosket will be charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana within a ½ mile of a school – that the marijuana found during the search was found in common areas, where April stored her clothing and in the bedrooms.

March 27, 2008