Ladson man charged with weapons violations, animal crimes

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – The Charleston County Sheriff's Office says it has charged a Lasdon man with several charges in connection with a possible dog fight.

Sandy Sharron Gathers, 41, is charged with two counts of animal fighting or baiting; a conspiracy leader; and 15 counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent crime, according to deputies.

A second person also faces charges, but deputies have not yet released information about that person, sheriff's spokesperson Alexis Douglas said.

The investigation began on May 15 when officers responded to a home in the 4400 block of Hardwood Street in Ladson where an unresponsive infant had been reported. Officers arrived and performed CPR on the infant until firefighters arrived. The infant died that evening at Summerville Medical Center.

Douglas said the investigation into the infant's death is still ongoing and no charges have been filed in the case.

But while investigating the house where it happened, deputies and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division found about 15 dogs, most of which appeared to be a pit bull breed, Douglas said . Other items found in the house and on the property are widely known to be used in dog fights, she said.

Investigators then obtained a search warrant.

On May 29, deputies and SLED agents executed the search warrant and found two dogs on the property in addition to a third dead dog. The three seized animals were taken to the Charleston Animal Society and deputies seized items known to be used in dog fighting, Douglas said.

Deputies and SLED agents arrested Gathers Tuesday at a home on Garwood Street in Ladson, Douglas said. No dogs were found on that property, she said.

A judge set bail at $250,000 for the fathers on Wednesday.

He was being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center.

Deputies say the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case or any other dog fighting cases in the state is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 843-202-1700 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111. They can also send tips to SLED at [email protected].