South Carolina Corrections Officer Arrested in Wednesday’s GBI Drug Sweep

Wednesday’s massive drug raid also netted numerous arrests in South Carolina, particularly in Oconee County, SC.

Late Wednesday, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw announced one of those arrested was an Oconee County Corrections Officer.

32-year old Joy Hunter of Westminster had worked as an Oconee County Correctional officer for the past five years.

“Ms. Hunter was arrested earlier today due to arrest warrants out of the state of Georgia as a result of this investigation,” Crenshaw said. “She was a Correctional Officer at our Detention Center for 5 years and 9 months. At this time, we do not believe that Ms. Hunter was responsible for the introduction of contraband into our Detention Facility.”

Crenshaw said he had been aware of the GBI multi-agency investigation in Georgia and South Carolina since January and knew Hunter was a suspect in the investigation, but could not say or do anything regarding her employment until Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s Office was briefed by law enforcement authorities on this investigation approximately one month ago and its ties to Oconee County. We became an active participant and partnered with the other agencies who are involved to provide our investigative assistance with the case. Our narcotic agents have been working to make sure all of the individuals involved in Oconee County were arrested,” he said.

Six arrests have been made in Oconee County, some of which will face criminal charges here as a result of search warrants being executed Wednesday, Crenshaw said. All six will have pending charges in the state of Georgia.

Crenshaw said all six individuals have waived extradition and are in the process of being transported to the state of Georgia.

Due to a federal gag order, all information on this case will come from a representative of the lead investigative agency and Crenshaw said the Oconee County, SC Sheriff’s Office will not be making any further comments until the lead agencies release further information.