by WILL FOLKS
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An outgoing South Carolina state lawmaker has been arrested by agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in connection with an incident involving a firearm that took place during the spring primary elections.
As we previously reported, veteran state representative Michael Frank Rivers allegedly pointed a firearm at another individual at a polling location in Green Pond, S.C. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
SLED was requested to handle the investigation into the incident by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). According to a press release issued by the local law enforcement agency at the time, its deputies became aware of the incident at approximately 1:46 p.m. EDT – as voters were casting ballots at the Green Pond Community Center.
When deputies arrived, Rivers had already left the location.
According to a probable cause affidavit accompanying the warrant for Rivers’ arrest, he and an unnamed victim “had a brief verbal altercation over the political campaign for the S.C. House of Representatives District 121 seat.”
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“The verbal altercation led to Rivers obtaining a firearm from his vehicle compartment and point(ing) it at the victim,” the affidavit added, noting the allegation against the sitting lawmaker was supported by witness statements and “video evidence.”
SLED’s investigation resulted in Rivers’ arrest on Friday morning (October 9, 2026). The 67-year-old lawmaker was charged with one count of pointing a firearm at another person, a felony, and booked at the Colleton County detention center. Rivers was subsequently released by S.C. magistrate Roosevelt S. Jenkins on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. A personal recognizance bond means a defendant is not required to put up any money to secure his or her release from custody pending the adjudication of the charges against them.
Rivers’ case will be prosecuted by the office of S.C. fourteenth circuit solicitor Duffie Stone.
If convicted of this alleged violation of the S.C. Code of Laws (§ 16-23-410) Rivers could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine at the discretion of the court.
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RELATED | FORMER S.C. LAWMAKER PLEADS GUILTY
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The investigation into Rivers was launched the day after our media outlet exclusively reported on the incident. In a pair of updates included in our exclusive ‘Crossroads 2026’ election night live coverage, FITSNews reported that Rivers — who also serves as a pastor — allegedly pulled a firearm on an individual at the Green Pond precinct.
Rivers, of St. Helena Island, was defeated in his bid for a sixth term in office by fellow Democrat Shannon N. DeLoach. With all precincts reporting in the June Democrat primary, DeLoach received 2,159 votes (or 53.71% of all ballots cast). Rivers received 1,861 votes, or 46.29% of all ballots cast. DeLoach is running against Shelley Yuhas of Beaufort, S.C. in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Rivers has represented S.C. House District 121 (.pdf) since his election in November 2016. The district includes parts of Beaufort and Colleton counties.
As with anyone accused of committing any crime, Rivers is considered innocent until proven guilty by our criminal justice system. Keep it tuned to FITSNews for any relevant updates tied to his case.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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2 comments
Okay, so…….what led Mr Rivers to pull his gun? What actually happened? Was he justified in doing so? This story leaves a lot to be desired in terms of information provided.
Also, why is SLED investigating a State Representative? Is this not a conflict of interest given that Mr Rivers has a voice in deciding budgets for SLED and other state agencies?
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