top of page
All Posts


News Release: Boutique Owner Arrested
02/19/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Pamela Schronce (30), in connection to a scam regarding the purchase of boutique items. RCSD investigators received a report that a victim purchased several items from Schronce’s Thomas & Turner Boutique, totaling of over $200, that were never provided to her. The victim tried several times to reach out to Schronce to have the issue resolved and Schronce failed to return any communication or refunds. Pamela Schronce has been
15 hours ago1 min read


News Release: Update on Missing Person, Sabrina Heinz, Case
02/19/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department continues the search for Sabrina Heinz, who has been missing since January 28, 2026. RCSD investigators continue to follow leads in the search for Ms. Heinz. There is reason to believe that she may have been picked up on the interstate and could possibly be anywhere by now. On February 6, 2026, RCSD requested the FBI’s assistance and continues to partner in the search for Sabrina to help locate her. “The FBI has different tech
17 hours ago2 min read


News Release: RCSD Investigating Aggravated Assault on Spindrift Ln
02/19/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after deputies responded to an aggravated assault on the 500 block of Spindrift Ln. On February 18, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Spindrift Ln for an assault involving a weapon. Deputies located a victim with a laceration to her head and blood on her clothing in the area. Deputies tended to the victim until EMS arrived on scene and transported her to the hospi
19 hours ago1 min read


UPDATE: Arrest Made in Assault at Sam’s Club
02/18/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Ashley Murff (42) in reference to an assault at Sam’s Club over the weekend. Investigators were able to view surveillance footage from Sam’s Club of the incident and determine that Murff was the primary aggressor. Murff was identified, and investigators obtained a warrant for her arrest. On February 18, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., investigators arrested Murff and charged her with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree. She was
2 days ago1 min read


UPDATE: Arrest Made in Cutlers Ct Murder
02/16/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Rasheed Hawkins (23) in reference to the murder on Cutlers Ct. Investigators were able to determine that Hawkins and the victim met at the location for the sale of an iPhone. Hawkins intended to rob the victim which led to the victim being shot several times. On Monday February 16, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., RCSD’s Fugitive Task Force and Special Response Team located Hawkins and placed him under arrest. During a
4 days ago1 min read


CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS making the world safer
February 16th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Intelligence collection, countering human-trafficking, mine-clearing efforts in Eastern Europe, expansion into Africa, and a South Carolina connection The board of directors of U.S.-based CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (CSGS) gathered for a quarterly Zoom meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, to discuss ongoing projects on several continents. Chairman John Lamb briefly discussed his forthcoming trip within the month to Washington, D.C
4 days ago3 min read


News Release: One Dead in Shooting on Cutlers Ct
02/15/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Cutlers Ct. On February 15, 2026, at approximately 1:10 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 10 block of Cutlers Ct in reference to someone being shot. Once on scene, deputies located the victim inside of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. Deputies began to render aid to the victim until EMS arrived to transport the victim to the hospital where he succu
5 days ago1 min read


News Release: Assault at Sam’s Club
02/14/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after an assault occurred at Sam’s Club over a racial slur. On February 14, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to 733 Fashion Dr. for a report of an assault. Deputies spoke with the victim who stated that while she was in line at the store, a woman used a racial slur towards her. The victim told deputies that this resulted in a verbal dispute between the two of them. The victim told dep
6 days ago1 min read


News Release: Suspicious Fire Investigation
02/13/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at Bent Tree apartment complex. On February 11, 2026, just before 6:00 a.m., deputies were requested to 1000 Bent Tree Ln by the Columbia Fire Department for a suspicious fire. Deputies were informed that there was a fire at the leasing office of the complex which was deemed suspicious, and forced entry was observed at the location. The Richland County Fire Marshal’s Office is i
7 days ago1 min read


A Force of Faith
February 12th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department Chaplains play key role within the department and throughout the community Pictured L-R Sheriff Leon Lott, Chief Maria Yturria, and Chaplains Marty Wells and Bryan Walker The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) has for decades maintained a viable corps of chaplains, officially the RCSD Chaplaincy Program (spiritual caregivers who serve the needs of those within the department): Primarily
Feb 123 min read


News Release: USC Football Player Arrested on Traffic Stop
02/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department announces the arrest of Davonte Miles (22). On February 10, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Bluff Rd. and S Stadium Rd. for an improper display of the vehicle tag and window tint violation. After smelling the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle during the traffic stop, a search was conducted of the vehicle. During the search, approximately 20 individual bags of gr
Feb 101 min read


News Release: Arrest of SCDC Employee
02/09/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Naji Capri Hughes in reference to a driving under the influence incident. On February 7, 2026, just before midnight, Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the area of 7800 Farrow Road in reference to a wrong-way driver. Deputies located the driver, Naji Capri Hughes, on Pisgah Church Road and initiated a traffic stop. After conducting field sobriety testing with Hughes, deputies placed Hughes under arrest
Feb 91 min read


Furman University’s prestigious Riley Institute recognizes 12 Fellows
February 6th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Three of the 12 were among MidlandsBiz’s sixty most influential military leaders Pictured (L-R) are Lt. Col. James E. Smith Jr., Sheriff (Maj. Gen.) Leon Lott, and Brig. Gen. Marie Goff The Riley Institute at Furman University recognized 12 Fellows in the Institute’s February 2026 “Fellows in the News.” Among those recognized were Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, former State Representative James E. Smith Jr., and Brig. Gen. Darlen
Feb 62 min read


News Release: Update on Arrest Featured on On-Patrol: Live
01/28/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the findings of the Citizens Advisory Council following their review of the incident that occurred on December 6, 2025 and televised on On-Patrol: Live. As previously stated, the case was presented to both the Council and the Magistrate for review. On, Saturday, January 17, 2026 the Citizens Advisory Council had the opportunity to review all the information to include body cam, and dash cam videos. Following a thorough review, they recomme
Jan 283 min read


News Release: ASGDC Guard Arrested for Assault on Inmate
01/28/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Cohanskie Goodson, 30, after using excessive force on an inmate in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On January 22, 2026, at just before 3:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center at the request of an investigator working at the jail. It was reported to deputies that a corrections officer within the jail utilized a knee strike to an inmate’s face causing a laceration above his eye and render
Jan 281 min read


News Release: One injured in stabbing at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
1/19/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a stabbing leaving one injured at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC). On January 19, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a stabbing at the ASGDC. When deputies arrived at the scene, they located a male with multiple stab wounds wound to the upper body. The victim was transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing.
Jan 191 min read


News Release: Ex Director of the McCrady Training Center’s Youth Challenge Program Arrested
01/15/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Ronnie Scott (56), the former Youth Challenge Program Director at McCrady Training Center, for assault. On October 9, 2025, the Office of the Inspector General notified the Richland County Sheriff’s Department of a complaint against the McCrady Training Center for an assault against a cadet within its Youth Challenge Program. Investigators were provided with the complaint and video surveillance of the incident described in th
Jan 151 min read


Elite Fight Club celebrates martial artists during annual banquet
January 12th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. South Carolina Black Belt Hall of Fame presents several awards during ceremonial dinner in the Upstate Guests and inductees of the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame (SCBBHOF), the Palmetto State’s premier martial arts organization, gathered for the Hall of Fame’s annual awards dinner at Carson’s Steak Warehouse and Saloon in Anderson, S.C., Saturday evening, Jan. 10. RECOGNIZING MILITARY SERVICE Among the SCBBHOF inductees receiving award
Jan 123 min read


Violent crime percentages are trending downward, but still too high says Sheriff Lott
January 9th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Press conference addresses the good and not-so-good in terms of criminal activity over the previous year Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott held a first-of-the-year press conference, January 6, addressing countywide crime trends – the good and the not so good – going into 2026. Lott opened with a question he’s often asked: “Is it really that bad? Is crime totally out of control?” His answer: “No it’s not [out of control]. We just hear
Jan 94 min read


News Release: Water Recovery of Stolen Vehicle
01/09/2026 On January 8, 2026, around 8:30pm, deputies responded to 219 Briarcliffe West, Elgin, in reference to a vehicle sinking in a pond. Upon arrival, deputies did observe a white truck fully submerged in the water and initiated a water recovery operation. Fire, EMS, and RCSD’s Dive Team responded to the scene. When the vehicle was recovered from the water, there were no occupants inside. Deputies discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Harbison Boulevar
Jan 91 min read
bottom of page





