Deputies on the scene were able to obtain statements from the victims and along with other evidence gathered  decided there was probable cause to arrest these five suspects. An Investigator assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit presented his findings to a judge who issued warrants for the arrest of all five suspects. The following suspects have each been charged with one count of Housebreaking, four counts of Assault and Battery 1st Degree and four counts of Armed Robbery – Stephen Anthony Estes* 17 years old, Dennis Chaijsren Keth 19 years old, Vincent Kenmanivon 19 years old, Aaron David Motts 20 years old and Carlos Salas, Jr. 18 years old. They are currently in the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center where they are awaiting a bond hearing at a time to be set by the court.

The victims in this case were treated on scene by EMS for their injuries. No one was transported to a hospital for treatment. The Investigator assigned to this case believes that some of the suspects had prior knowledge of the some of the victims and that robbery was a motive in this case.

Aaron Motts

Carlos Salas, Jr.

Dennis Keith

Vincent Kenmanivong

You or a responsible adult should always accompany children ages 12 and under when trick-or-treating.

- Ensure costumes fit well, are flame retardant, and never obscure visibility.
- Have your trick-or-treater wear reflective clothing and/or carry a light or glowstick.
- Children over the age of 12 who are responsible enough to go without you, should stay in groups, follow an agreed upon route, and watch for cars.
- Check our website, www.gsco.org , for registered offenders residing in the area.
- Teach your children to never enter any home without you or without your permissions and only approach homes that are well-lit.
- Remind your children to stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts, and never go into isolated areas.
- Let your children know to tell you or a trusted adult if they see anything weird or unusual.
- Teach children to bring treats home before eating them. Eat only factory-wrapped treats unless you know the giver well.
- Teach your children to say NO and GET AWAY from any person or situation making them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused; even if it means yelling, kicking, attracting attention or any other means of resisting. Trust their feeling, and be sure to tell a trusted adult.

Quinton Stratton, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault and battery with intent to kill and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The defendant must serve 80 percent of Circuit Judge Derham Cole’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release. He will also have his name added to the Sex Offender Registry.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a stabbing call on Feb. 27, 2010 and found the 18-year-old partially clothed victim inside a Monks Grove Road home with a large laceration to the right side of her neck, a stab wound to the left side of the neck and a stab wound to the left chest. The victim identified Stratton as her attacker before she was rushed to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for emergency surgery. One of the neck wounds was so deep it cut the victim’s esophagus.

Two people inside the home told deputies Stratton beat on their bedroom door and told them he thought he had killed the victim and he needed help disposing the body. One of the witnesses took the knife from the defendant before he fled. Deputies apprehended Stratton on Asheville Highway a short time later.

The day after her surgery, the victim reported the sexual assault. She told deputies she had fallen asleep on a couch and awoke to find Stratton on top of her. Stratton told deputies he sexually assaulted her because she disrespected one of his friends.

“Justice was served today,” Assistant Solicitor Susan Reese said. “The victim currently lives out of the state and I was pleased to share the good news with her in a telephone call.”

Stratton has been incarcerated since his arrest in 2010. He didn’t have a prior criminal record.

Quinton Stratton

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Spartanburg Public Safety Department or Crime Stoppers.

Spartanburg Public Safety Department, Russell Porter: 864.596.2845

Crime Stoppers: 864.582.7463

Russell Porter

Over the course of his 21-year law enforcement career, Taylor has tirelessly worked to create a safe learning environment for local school children. His efforts include the creation of an in-service training program that is required of all bus drivers across the state along with  numerous safety initiatives in School District 4 and other local school district.

The veteran deputy’s work ethic and his success earned him the 2012 Solicitor’s Award for Spartanburg County Law Enforcement Excellence. Taylor accepted the award tonight during a law enforcement appreciation dinner at Cleveland Park.

“Mitch leads by example,” Solicitor Barry Barnette said. “He has poured his heart into the challenge of keeping our youth safe and I’m thankful he is good at what he does.

“If he is not maintaining a visible presence on a local school, he can often be found helping children through numerous church activities or his work as director of the Woodruff Youth Football League.”

Taylor’s prize package includes a weekend stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Myrtle Beach and a free BMW for a weekend. He will also have his name added to a plaque that hangs in the lobby of the Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office.

A committee of police officers from city, county and state agencies nominated and named the winner. The finalists for the award – David Hogsed of the Sheriff’s Office, Mike Lee of the Highway Patrol, Raymond Webb of the Pacolet Police Department, Jason Tapp of the Spartanburg Public Safety Department and Chris Banks of the Spartanburg Public Safety Department were recognized at the dinner. Allen Freeman of the Sheriff’s Office received the Bill Barnet Service Above Self Award. Freeman was recognized for numerous charitable acts for the Special Olympics.

Generous donations by some community leaders helped make the law enforcement dinner a success. The donor list includes Bangkok, Beacon Drive-In, BMW Small Engine Repair, Brickhouse Pizza, Costco, Creature Comforts, Dave Edwards Toyota, Dr. Fern Powell, Dixie Tire, Donna Albert Photography, Hampton Inn & Suites, Fuddrucker’s, Gentle Dental Care\ Dr. Kevin Williams, GLT Services, Gibbs International, Hampton Inn, Jay’s Prepaid Wireless, Ingles, Millhouse Lodge, Mr. Carlos Johnson, Mr. David White, Mr. Ed Mabry, North American Rescue, O’Charley’s, Piedmont Natural Gas, Porter Chiropractic, Penske Racing, Sharp USA, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, Spartanburg Water System,  The Bilo Center, The Creek Golf Club, The Flounder Fish Camp, Thomas & Sons, Travis Bell Photography, White’s Pine Street Exxon, Vic Bailey Auto, Upstate Salvage and 4 You Custom Gifts and Awards.

“I appreciate the community’s willingness to support such a worthy cause,” Barnette said. “Police officers and their families richly deserve a night of rest and relaxation for the many sacrifices they make to keep us safe.”

Units responded to the scene and arrested Wrenix, who was transported to the Spartanburg County Detention Center Facility. A search warrant was executed on the residence and the suspect’s vehicle.

After being transported to the hospital, Wilson left prior to receiving treatment. She was later located at a relative’s residence and was interviewed by an investigator and gave a written statement. During this time, she stated that she was currently pregnant and believed that this incident had caused her to miscarry. She was urged to return to the hospital but refused EMS.

Ashley Wrenix

Charles Anderson Jr., 20, and Lauri Danielle Hollis, 27, were both found guilty of murder and armed robbery today at the conclusion of a four-day jury trial. The duo conspired to shoot Steven Duran Means, 23, to death on April 7, 2011 and stealing his dental gold, jewelry and cell phone.

Circuit Judge Roger Couch sentenced Anderson to life in prison without parole. Hollis received a 30-year prison sentence and she will serve day- for-day.

Assistant Solicitors Abel Gray and Dan Cude utilized law enforcement testimony, lay witness testimony, ballistic evidence and DNA evidence to convict Anderson and Hollis of killing Means outside the Oakview Apartments on Howard Street.

Spartanburg police investigators found the murder weapon and a gun magazine hidden under a bed mattress at Anderson’s home. A bullet recovered from Means’ body and a shell casing recovered from the crime scene matched the weapon, a SLED firearms examiner testified. A SLED forensic analyst testified that DNA found on trigger of the weapon matched Anderson.

Hollis was an accomplice throughout the attack on Means and she was seen wearing some of the stolen property after the shooting.

“This tragedy is a vivid example of our state’s hand of one/hand of all law,” Assistant Solicitor Abel Gray said.

Murder and armed robbery charges are still pending on Quartez D. Lyles, 19, and Charles K. Jackson Jr., 20, both of Spartanburg.

Hollis

Anderson

On June 11, 2012 a representative of TOTAL Ministries’ Board of Directors filed a police report with the Spartanburg Public Safety Department. The board member stated that during an audit of the Spartanburg office located at 300 Union St., it was discovered that from February 2012 to June 2012, Mrs. Bradley had allocated in an estimate of over $40,000 of the organization’s funds for personal use.

The Spartanburg Public Safety Department subsequently conducted an investigation which resulted in charging Mrs. Karen Elizabeth Bradley with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent $10,000 or greater. No additional charges are anticipated at this time.