CRIME & COURTS

South Carolina Police Chief Charged With Assault

Hampton, S.C. chief allegedly used a chain saw in an attempt to down a deer stand containing a “trespasser …”

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Agents of the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced the arrest of Hampton, S.C. police chief Perry McAlhaney on an assault charge on Thursday afternoon (August 1, 2024).

The impetus for the arrest? An alleged assault involving a chain saw and a deer stand …

According to a probable cause affidavit (.pdf) accompany a warrant for his arrest, McAlhaney was involved in an “altercation” with an unnamed victim on November 4, 2023 near Varnville, S.C.

Per the affidavit, McAlhaney encountered the victim “hunting from a deer stand located in a tree” on a property adjacent to one that he owned.

“The victim had previously received permission and paid approximately $500 to the property owner for a hunting lease, which allowed him to access the property,” the affidavit noted. “The property owner confirmed to SLED she gave permission to and received payment from the victim.”

McAlhaney, however, claimed the victim was “trespassing” – and took drastic measures to see them removed from the premises.

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Specifically, McAlhaney “retrieved a chain saw and began cutting the tree that contained the victim down.”

You read that right … a chain saw. This is not a cartoon, people. This is South Carolina law enforcement at work.

“The victim recording the incident on his cellphone and provided the footage to SLED,” the affidavit continued.

Additionally, McAlhaney admitted to his alleged conduct in a statement provided to investigators after he had been advised of his right against self-incrimination.

“(McAlhaney) stated he was aware his actions could have caused serious injury or death to the victim if he successfully cut the tree down,” the affidavit concluded.

McAlhaney was booked on Thursday at the Hampton County detention center. There was no immediate information available regarding his bond – nor was there any immediate information available as to which prosecutorial agency would be handling his case.

As with anyone accused of committing any crime, McAlhaney is considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system – or until such time as he may wish to enter some form of allocution in connection with a plea agreement with prosecutors related to any of the charges filed against him.

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AFFIDAVIT …

(SLED)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Will Folks (Dylan Nolan)

Will Folks is the owner and founding editor of FITSNews. Prior to founding his own news outlet, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina, bass guitarist in an alternative rock band and bouncer at a Columbia, S.C. dive bar. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.

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6 comments

Dum Spiro Spero Top fan August 1, 2024 at 6:18 pm

“Just keep a cuttin’ boy, one of us got to have some relief!”

Reply
Anonymous August 2, 2024 at 12:34 pm

Where the hell these people coming from? Got to be something in the water.

Reply
MaryContrary Top fan August 2, 2024 at 12:56 pm

Hampton County…….you just can’t make this stuff up????

Reply
Teresa Whetzel Top fan August 2, 2024 at 2:20 pm

Don’t make me get my chain saw??? git out that there tree??

Reply
River Top fan August 3, 2024 at 1:42 pm

Gon now git

Reply
MaryContrary Top fan August 2, 2024 at 12:58 pm

Why in the heck does spell check change !!!! To ????. There is obviously a disturbance in the force.

Reply

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