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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


News Release: UPDATE: Arrest Made in Percival Road Shooting
01/08/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Daquan Wilson (DOB: 4/22/97) in connection with a shooting that occurred on January 7, 2026, at the 300 block of Percival Road. On January 7, 2026, around 12:30pm, deputies responded to the 1000 block of North Kings Street in reference to a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, deputies located the victim, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was transported by EMS to a local hospital with non-life threate
Jan 81 min read


News Release: Man Arrested for Aggravated Voyeurism
1/8/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Michael Liggett (72) in connection with voyeurism - secretly photographing victims without their knowledge. On December 25, 2025, deputies at RCSD Headquarters received a telephone report from one of Liggett’s family members that explicit photos had been found on Liggett’s cellphone. The complainant also stated they found a hidden camera inside Liggett’s home in Richland County. RCSD investigators obtained a search warrant fo
Jan 81 min read


News Release: Deputy Struck at Construction Site on Interstate
01/07/2026 On January 5, 2026, around 11:15pm, a Richland County deputy in his patrol vehicle was hit by another driver while working extra duty at a road construction site on I-126 West near the entrance ramp from Colonial Life Boulevard. The deputy, Jordan Knight, was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and subsequently released; the suspect driver, David Dudley (64) declined EMS. The construction crew was unharmed. “We are very fortunate that our deputy is okay
Jan 71 min read


News Release: 2025 Year End Round Up
01/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announced that the safety and security of Richland County citizens remain the department’s top priority. In 2025, Richland County experienced a decrease in murders, with 100 percent of murders solved for three years in a row. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department made 37 arrests for murder with numerous additional arrests on related charges. Murders declined slightly, with 26 cases in 2025 compared to 27 in 2024. From the very beginning of each m
Jan 72 min read


News Release: Active Scene at 300 block of Percival Road
01/07/2026 There is an active incident at 313 Percival Road (Spring Garden Apartments). Deputies responded to the area of North Kings and North Trenholm in reference to a shooting victim on scene. Once deputies arrived and made contact with the victim, who had suffered a gunshot wound, deputies learned the shooting had occurred at 313 Percival Road (Spring Garden Apartments). The victim was transported by EMS to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Deputies re
Jan 71 min read


News Release -UPDATE: Percival Road Open
01/07/2026 Deputies at 313 Percival Road are clearing the scene. Percival Road is re-opened to the public. At this time, there is no active threat to the public. No arrests have been made yet. This is an active investigation.
Jan 71 min read


News Release: Video Surveillance from Alcott Drive Shooting
01/06/2026 RCSD is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying three suspects wanted in connection to a shooting that occurred on January 3, 2026, around 5:45 PM at the 500 block of Alcott Drive. One 24-year-old was struck by gunfire and survived. In the following video, the muzzle flashes of the shooters can be seen in the top right of the screen. At the bottom of the screen is an elementary-aged child that hears the shots and runs for his life. The breezeway the ch
Jan 61 min read


News Release: Woman Arrested After Disturbance in Publix
01/06/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Cardesha Gilmore (35) after causing a disturbance at a Publix grocery store on Sunday afternoon. On January 4, 2026, at approximately 1:05 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a call for a disturbance at the Publix grocery store located at 4611 Hardscrabble Rd. Deputies learned that the suspect was refusing to leave the store at the direction of store employees and had urinated openly in the front of the store. When deputies arr
Jan 62 min read


News Release: Home invasion leads to Shooting
01/04/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Antoine Mobley (45) in an over night incident that led to an officer discharging his firearm. On January 3, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 10 block of King Arthur Ct for a home invasion. On arrival, Deputies learned the suspect had fled; K9 deputies began to track the suspect, during this time the suspect was identified. It was discovered he was out bond had an ankle monitor. Deputies loca
Jan 42 min read


NEWS RELEASE: One injured in shooting on Alcott Drive
1/3/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting leaving one injured on Alcott Dr. On January 3, 2026, at approximately 5:40 p.m. deputies responded to a report of gunshots in the 500 block of Alcott Dr. When deputies arrived at the scene, they located a male with a gunshot wound to the lower body. Deputies rendered aid until EMS arrived and transported him to a local hospital. This investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information about this inci
Jan 31 min read
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