News Release: Update on Arrests at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center

06/30/26

Sheriff Leon Lott announces arrests made during longstanding investigation at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

On April 14, 2026, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was sent 62 cases that had been withheld by the jail; some incidents occurred as far back as December 2025. The incidents included a sexual assault, contraband, riots, vandalism and assaults of both guards and inmates as victims of these crimes.

The first case that prompted further probing was that of a sexual assault that occurred on April 2nd, while the victim was detained. Although she notified jail staff of the sexual assault when it occurred, RCSD was not notified. On April 4th, when the victim was released from jail she came to RCSD to report the sexual assault.

Several days later, on April 8, 2026, the Richland County Coroner notified RCSD of an inmate death after they were contacted by a local hospital.

On April 7, 2026, Keith Bagley died while incarcerated at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention center. The Coroner ruled the cause of death was toxic effects of synthetic cannabinoids (K2 Spice). RCSD was never notified by the jail of the death, prompting further investigations.

The death investigation revealed that Director James Lipscomb, Director of Compliance and Safety at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, gave a directive to a jail staff member not to report the inmate death to RCSD. This directive was not only in violation of ASCDC policy it was an obstruction to the death investigation and allowed for crucial evidence to be destroyed.

Mr. Bagley’s death and the sexual assault investigations, lead to ASCDC having to turn over 62 backlogged cases on April 14, 2026, that they were withholding. Of the 62 cases some incidents had occurred as far back as December 2025.

Today, June 30, 2026, James Lipscomb (66; DOB:05/09/60) was placed under arrest and charged with Obstruction of Justice for directing and allowing the crime scene to be cleaned up, thus tainting the crime scene and crucial evidence lost. Lipscomb was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and is awaiting a bond hearing.

From the 62 cases, there have been 7 jail guards charged and 17 inmates with committing crimes within the jail. Overall there are a total of 107 criminal cases referred to RCSD from the jail since January 2026.