News Release: Former Deputy Arrested

06/22/26

Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of a former deputy, Sean Swayz, 28, on charges of Petit Larceny.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a potential theft involving Swayz. An investigation was opened and revealed that Swayz took a watch from the lost and found at the Richland County courthouse that did not belong to him. On June 19, 2026, Swayz was charged with Petit Larceny and booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The watch was recovered.

On June 8, 2026, Swayz was terminated and is no longer employed with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Swayz was employed with the Sheriff’s Department since January of 2023.

“I hold my deputies to a higher standard because of the trust placed in them by the public,” said Sheriff Lott. “Any act of theft, regardless of the value of the property involved, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”