Joshua Darren Jones. Lexington County Sheriff's Office. LCSO.
CRIME & COURTS

Deputy Of The Year Charged with Five Counts of Domestic Violence

Joshua Jones posts $17,500 bond within hours of scheduled arrest.

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A former deputy of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) has surrendered himself to agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) after five warrants were issued for his arrest on Friday, June 21, 2024. 

Joshua Darren Jones, 33, stands accused of three counts of third-degree domestic violence and two counts of second-degree domestic violence after photographic evidence of at least five incidents was provided to state investigators earlier this month.

Of interest? On or about April 21, 2023, a verbal altercation is said to have resulted in Jones pinning his girlfriend between a vehicle door and vehicle frame within her garage. She then documented bruising to her arm and pelvic area, according to SLED.

Then, around May 26, 2023, Jones broke a linen closet door after purportedly slamming his girlfriend through it during a verbal argument. Bruising was thereafter photographed across both of her elbows, according to SLED.

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Eight months later, on or about January 6, 2024, Jones purportedly injured his girlfriend after grabbing a bottle out of her dishwasher and hurling it towards her face. She then documented injuries above her eye, according to SLED.

Come March 2024, some three days after Jones was awarded deputy of the year by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation, he purportedly threw a lamp at his girlfriend before slamming her against a wall. She thereafter documented bruising across her chest and residence, according to SLED.

Finally, around May 12, 2024, Jones is said to have pushed his girlfriend to the ground and kicked her repeatedly. She then sustained injuries to both of her eyes when Jones punched her “in the face with a closed fist,” according to SLED.

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While sources alleged that Jones’ girlfriend called 9-1-1 on more than one occasion, including but not limited to the aforementioned incident on or about Mother’s Day, LCSD did not request an independent investigation until June 12, 2024.

“When I became aware of Mr. Jones’ alleged conduct, I launched an internal investigation,” wrote Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon on Monday. “Deputies are held to a higher standard as part of their duty … That’s why we hold them accountable when they fall short.”

Jones was terminated on June 13, 2024, and booked into the Lexington County Detention Center 11 days later. Within hours, the former deputy appears to have posted a surety bond totaling $17,500 as he is no longer listed as an inmate.

His case will be prosecuted by the office of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson.

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THE ARREST WARRANTS …

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Andrew Fancher. Hurricane Helene. Buncombe County. North Carolina. FEMA. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Roy Cooper.
Andrew Fancher in Mitchell County, N.C.
(Dynal Nolan/FITSNews)

Andrew Fancher is a Lone Star Emmy award-winning journalist from Dallas, Texas. Cut from a bloodline of outlaws and lawmen alike, he was the first of his family to graduate college which was accomplished with honors. Got a story idea or news tip for Andy? Email him directly and connect with him socially across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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5 comments

Red Uprising June 25, 2024 at 9:02 am

40%

Reply
CongareeCatfish Top fan June 25, 2024 at 10:03 am

Something about this fact pattern presented seems to indicate by silent implication that the girlfriend never pressed charges until the final incident…pretty sure FITS would rake LCDO over the coals [and rightly so] had she attempted to do so but the Sheriff’s office ignored her or waived her down. If that is not the case, then the reporter has really fallen down on the job in providing highly salient details.

Reply
Anonymous June 25, 2024 at 3:49 pm

Serial domestic abuse is a complicated psychological and emotional issue. Why a woman stays with a partner who verbally, emotionally and/or physically abuses her and she does not press charges or leaves can never be adequately explained to anyone who has not experienced it. The ability to leave becomes even more difficult when children and/or pets are in the home. This was a highly respected law enforcement officer. What are the odds the woman came to believe she either deserved the abuse or there wasn’t a way out. We don’t have all the details. He knew that what he was doing was wrong on so many levels and criminal.

Reply
Dangerous Men June 26, 2024 at 8:02 am

You’re with a dude who’s bigger than you, stronger than you, who is willing to commit violent acts on you for seemingly little things, it’s pretty easy to imagine how a guy like that will react after you get him put in jail for it.

“Approximately 75% of women who are killed by their batterers are murdered when they attempt to leave or after they have left an abusive relationship.”

People who don’t recognize this stuff just aren’t living in reality.

Reply
They'll Do It Every Time June 26, 2024 at 10:55 am

Most of these women, you could kill the abuser and within a month, she will be with another one just like him. These women frequently crave the drama, attention, and sympathy.

Reply

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