by ERIN PARROTT
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A former South Carolina police officer is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators say she improperly accessed law enforcement records for a suspected dogfighter — and later failed to help dogs suffering from apparent injuries at a Newberry County property.
Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged 30-year-old Khadijah Caldwell Gaskins with misconduct in office, ill treatment of animals and criminal conspiracy on Monday (October 5, 2026).
According to arrest warrants included with SLED’s release, Gaskins was working in an official capacity as a sworn officer for the Newberry Police Department (NPD) when investigators say she accessed law enforcement databases on May 29, 2023, at the request of a co-defendant.
The warrant alleged the co-defendant asked Gaskins to search for a specific person who was arrested in North Carolina six days earlier. Gaskins allegedly performed the search and provided the co-defendant with a photograph of the resulting law enforcement record.
Investigators later determined the co-defendant was a “known dogfighter,” according to the warrant. Digital evidence allegedly showed Gaskins was aware of the co-defendant’s involvement in dogfighting.
The allegations against the former officer did not end there.
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A second warrant alleges Gaskins knowingly participated in the ill treatment of animals beginning on or about March 13, 2024.
According to the warrant on page three of the filing, investigators seized and reviewed a “large amount” of cellular data during an investigation in Newberry County. Those records allegedly showed pit bull-type dogs kept on the property — some of which appeared to be suffering from unnecessary pain.
Investigators described images of a chained dog covered in blood, dogs with apparent wounds, a dog with a “shredded” mouth and additional dogs appearing to have diseased tissue exposed.
Despite those conditions, investigators alleged Gaskins “took no action to help the suffering” animals.
The criminal conspiracy warrant on page four of the filing makes additional allegations regarding the conditions at the property. Investigators said cellular records showed pit bull-type dogs kept there – some in conditions readily apparent to constitute unnecessary pain and suffering.
The warrant also referenced obstructions that allegedly prevented the open fronts of dog kennels from being visible from Gaskins’ residence.
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RELATED | FORMER SHERIFF’S DEPUTY INDICTED IN DOGFIGHTING OPERATION
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According to investigators, Gaskins and the co-defendant allegedly accepted the level of care provided to the animals, “thus through acts of omission continuing the cause of pain and suffering.”
The warrants identify the alleged offenses as occurring in Newberry County. Gaskins’ arrest comes more than two years after the animal-related conduct described by investigators and more than three years after the alleged misuse of law enforcement databases.
SLED’s release identified Gaskins as a former Newberry police officer. The agency did not provide additional details regarding when or under what circumstances her employment with the department ended.
Gaskins was booked into the Newberry County detention center where she awaits prosecution by the S.C. Attorney General’s Office (SCAG).
As with all defendants, Gaskins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
FITSNews will continue tracking this case — including the identity and alleged role of Gaskins’ co-defendant, as well as any additional details surrounding the dogfighting investigation – and will provide updates as they become available.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
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