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A South Carolina officer has posted bond after members of his own department discovered a “white powdery substance” in a misdelivered package addressed to him — sparking a criminal investigation, federal involvement and the abrupt end of his law enforcement career.
Andrew Hoyt Rowell, 40, a ten-year veteran of the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD), was arrested last Wednesday and charged with possession with intent to distribute 9.81 grams of cocaine. He was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center that morning.
According to judicial records, Rowell was taken into custody by agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) following an investigation requested by MPPD. Within the afternoon, he posted a $25,000 surety bond set by County Magistrate Amanda Haselden.
Within the week, he retained legal counsel from former U.S. Attorney and Republican State Representative Peter M. McCoy Jr. As part of his bond conditions requiring “good behavior,” the decorated lawman is barred from leaving the Palmetto State without permission.
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Just one month earlier, Rowell was still in uniform, serving the only department he had ever worked for. The son of A. Hoyt Rowell, III, a local attorney, the disgraced officer held various roles within MPPD—including that of a school resource officer (SRO).
As FITSNews exclusively reported last month, the case against Rowell began when a misdelivered package arrived at a home on his street. Citing records from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA), investigators confirmed the package contained cocaine.
6.31 grams, to be exact.
After cocaine residue was found in his department-issued 2019 Ford Taurus, MPPD requested SLED take over the investigation.
Despite denying “any knowledge of illegal narcotics,” according to SCCJA records, Rowell was terminated for reasons involving misconduct on February 1, 2025. Over the next four weeks, as grams of cocaine piled into evidence bags, Rowell’s fate was… vacuum sealed.
According to probable cause affidavits released by SLED, state agents teamed up with federal inspectors from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and intercepted a second parcel en route to the former officer’s residence on February 6, 2025.
“USPS Inspectors obtained a federal search warrant for this parcel,” noted SLED. “[Authorities] recovered unique black plastic bags that contained a vacuumed sealed clear plastic bag that contained a white powder substance… confirmed to be positive for cocaine.”
3.50 grams, to be exact.
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According to SLED Special Agent Terrance Jackson, he obtained Rowell’s postal records, IP addresses, package tracking history and dash camera footage from his police vehicle. His findings revealed Rowell had actively tracked both cocaine-laden parcels.
“The tracking history for the second parcel with tracking number [redacted] shows that it was tracked from Rowell’s Comcast account from his residence several times on January 31, 2025, and in February 2025,” noted Jackson.
At least one package was sent via priority mail from Los Angeles, California—originating from a zip code that includes the Los Feliz neighborhood.
As of this publication, the disgraced officer remains free on bond, his law enforcement career reduced to an evidence file in the very system he once served.
In 2018, Rowell won a professional-level contest at the 10th Annual Captain’s Comic Expo. The following year, MPPD honored him with a community outreach award.
As with any officer terminated for reasons involving misconduct, Rowell has three years to request a contested case hearing before the S.C. Law Enforcement Training Council (SCLETC)—a body known for reinstating officers with drug-related offenses.
His case will be prosecuted by the office of 9th Circuit Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson.
This story may be updated.
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THE RECEIPTS…
(SLED)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
(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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