Latest news with #CharlestonCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
14 agencies carry out targeted sting operation on unsanctioned nightclub, arresting ‘high-level' cartel members
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Federal, state, and local agencies carried out a targeted sting operation at an unsanctioned nightclub in Ladson. 14 agencies approached The Alamo around 3 a.m. on June 1, as part of 'Operation Last Stand.' These include the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and more. Sheriff Carl Ritchie said they have been monitoring the club since November 2024. 'This particular location has been a source of a lot of disruption, crime, assaults, drug dealing etc. going on in that particular area,' said Ritchie. 116 criminal and immigration warrants were served to 80 people. There over 60 people believed to be in the country illegally, who were detained. The multi-agency effort allowed for the arrest of two high-level cartel members and an international murder suspect wanted by Interpol. Governor Henry McMaster said this is why he believes stricter border policies are necessary. 'One way it happened is when you don't have strong law enforcement, this is what happens. When particularly, in these cases now, that we're going to have now and for years to come when we have illegal immigration,' McMaster said. 'People with criminal backgrounds, people that bet on causing trouble that are recognized – some as terrorists, that are allowed to come through a completely open border. This is what you get.' The governor added this operation was an example of a coordinated approach of these agencies working to enforce the laws under President Donald Trump. With over 200 patrons in the building, law enforcement also discovered seven people believed to be human trafficking victims and a missing juvenile. Officials said there were 10 underage minors in the building, with the youngest of them being 13 years old. Additionally, Charleston County code enforcement has shut down the unlicensed club. 'I'm very proud of what agencies did in that operation. I was there, very long day, but I was with them to see what these men and women do and supported them,' the sheriff said. 'I'm very proud we got this type of element out of our community. We made it safe for some of our young people and we're going to continue working on that.' Enrique Grace, president of the Charleston Hispanic Association, told News 2 he is grateful for the transparency from CCSO. 'The Hispanic community is applauding what happened. The Hispanic community and the immigrant community doesn't want criminals in their backyard, that's kind of why they left the country – they are coming here. We applaud what happened, that place has been around for a long time, I guess nobody knew what was going on in there. We're pretty happy that the bad guys are off the street,' Grace said. This is an ongoing investigation. Those with information about The Alamo are encouraged to call 803-896-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
SC police, ICE arrest 80 people in raid of unlicensed Charleston County nightclub
Local, state and federal law enforcement gather Monday, June 2, 2025, to announce arrests during a raid of a Summerville-area nightclub a day earlier. (Left to right, front row): State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel, Gov. Henry McMaster, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie and Attorney General Alan Wilson. (Screenshot of Charleston County Sheriff's Office livestream) Two alleged cartel members and one person wanted by Interpol for murder in Honduras were among at least 80 people arrested during a weekend sting operation at an unlicensed nightclub in Charleston County. Federal, state and local law enforcement raided the Alamo nightclub, located in an industrial area outside the town of Summerville, around 3 a.m. Sunday. The club had no license to operate or to sell alcohol. About 200 people were there at the time of the raid. The investigation, dubbed 'Operation Last Stand,' continues, Charleston County Sheriff Carl Ritchie said during a news conference Monday. They included 10 juveniles as young as 13 — including one reported as missing — as well as potential human trafficking victims. They were turned over to social service agencies. Officers also seized guns, cocaine and cash, Ritchie said, without giving details on the amounts. Those arrested included two people believed to be 'high-level cartel members' associated with the Mexico-based Los Zetas cartel and the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua gang, said U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent Cardell Morant. He referred to the club scene as a 'cartel afterparty.' More than 80% of those arrested are living in the United States illegally, he said. The law enforcement agencies went in with 116 warrants for 80 people. Five people were arrested for criminal offenses, Morant said. Law enforcement officials did not provide names of those arrested or a list of charges. 'Some of these individuals have been charged with serious offenses,' which include the person wanted internationally for murder, Morant said. Other charges made in the raid include 'assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and a felon in possession of a firearm,' he said. The investigation began in November with officers looking into noise complaints and reports of assaults occurring in the parking lot, Ritchie said. 'Bad guys like to celebrate too. So, this was their way to let off some steam, and they were, unfortunately, doing it right here in the community,' Morant said. 'This operation was not only about immigration enforcement. It was also about restoring order, removing threats from our streets and ensuring the safety and well-being of Charleston-area residents,' he added. About a dozen local, state and federal agencies participated in the raid. 'We will continue to work to bring justice to those that have been victimized and also bring those to justice that have violated our laws,' said State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Charleston County woman accused in sexual exploitator of a minor investigation
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Deputies arrested a 43-year-old Charleston County woman on charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Jillian Johnell Maxner, 43, was taken into custody Wednesday following a search of her Stonebrook Road home, according to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Affidavits from the sheriff's office show that on December 26, 2024, the user of Kik, a messaging app, uploaded video of a child, mostly nude and engaging in sexual activity with an animal. A search of the user's IP address led detectives to Maxner's home, where a search was conducted. She is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor in the second degree. Maxner was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CCSO announces new naloxone stand in West Ashley
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – West Ashley is home to a new naloxone stand after Charleston County reported a recent spike in overdoses. The owner of Consign Charleston is partnering with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office to the stand at 1610 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. 'We thank them for this partnership and willingness to help their community,' CCSO wrote in a social media post. The overdose data comes from OD MAPS, which stands for Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, the sheriff's office said. The system provides suspected overdose data for different jurisdictions so officials can mobilize a response to areas experiencing overdose increases. The new stand is part of a countywide initiative. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pilots to discuss search, capture of suspect in Sullivan's Island manhunt
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The pilots who helped find a man accused of intentionally hitting two children and a teacher with a vehicle last week on Sullivan's Island will share details about how they utilized air search and equipment to find the wanted suspect. Pilots from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office 'Air 1' located 36-year-old Justin Collin Adams last Thursday, hiding in a boat off a Sullivan's Island dock following an hours-long, multi-agency search of the island. Adams is accused of using a vehicle to hit two children, ages 10 and 12, and a teacher while outside Sunrise Presbyterian School after initially threatening his mother with a knife. The man took off after his airbags were deployed and rendered the vehicle inoperable. Sullivan's Island was placed on lockdown, and residents were told to shelter in place while multiple law enforcement agencies searched the island. Adams was eventually spotted by the Air 1 pilots hiding in a boat docked not far from the incident location. The team that spotted him was a helicopter crew of Charleston County Sheriff's Office and Sullivan's Island Police Department personnel. The pilots are expected to talk about how they found Adams in the boat and will share details about some of the features in Air 1 that they can utilize in similar scenarios. According to the sheriff's office, Air 1 is a state-of-the-art helicopter that they said will serve as a critical tool in area law enforcement operations by providing real-time aerial support during major community events and assisting in urgent situations. 'The Air Unit offers a strategic advantage, giving deputies a vital bird's-eye view that helps protect and serve the community more effectively,' the sheriff's office said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
