Sheriff asks SLED to investigate misconduct at detention center | Community News

Following an allegation of misconduct, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis immediately requested that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) begin an investigation. During the criminal investigation, it was determined that three Berkeley County detention officers had engaged in, at a minimum, misconduct while on duty. SLED terminated these employees and subsequently charged them.

“We work hard every day to earn the trust of our citizens and the employees who work for us. I hope this does not undermine the public’s trust in us,” said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis. “As a result of these allegations, I immediately took steps to terminate the employee and supervisors involved, and I directed SLED to conduct a full investigation into this matter, and we have responded to all of SLED’s requests.”

The Sheriff’s Office was notified of an incident between an inmate and Detention Deputy Avery Smith. Following the victim’s allegations, the Sheriff’s Office requested that SLED conduct a thorough investigation. During the investigation, it was revealed that Detention Deputy Smith was involved in multiple incidents of misconduct. The Sheriff’s Office was notified of additional victims who were identified as employees of the Hill-Finklea Detention Center. The victims in this case were subjected to unwanted touching and inappropriate sexual advances, according to the SLED investigation.

Lieutenant Frankie Snider and Sergeant Christopher Dozier were Deputy Detention Officer Smith's direct superiors and were fired for failure to intervene. Deputy Detention Officer Smith resigned during the investigation.

“No one is above the law, including law enforcement. We will continue to thoroughly review our policies to ensure that something like this never happens again,” said Sheriff Lewis. “I want to recognize the hard-working men and women at the Sheriff’s Office and the Detention Center. Our Internal Affairs Unit will work to ensure a full review of this incident.”

Smith was hired in September 2022, Dozier in November 2016 and Snider in November 2015.