Conspiracy Unfolds in Chester County
Chester County, South Carolina – A shocking indictment has been handed down against Chester County Sheriff George Alexander “Big A” Underwood, 55, Lieutenant Johnny Ricardo Neal, Jr., 39, and Chief Deputy Robert Andrew Sprouse, 44, for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to cover up an unlawful arrest and excessive use of force.
The indictment, released on [no date mentioned], alleges that the trio responded to a car accident and fleeing suspect in Fort Lawn on November 20, 2018. A resident, identified as K.S., was live-streaming the law enforcement activity using his cellphone. Underwood allegedly asked K.S. to stay on his porch but returned 25 minutes later, directing K.S. to retreat to his porch.
Underwood then followed K.S. onto his porch, lunged out to grab and restrain K.S. by his torso, and demanded that K.S. turn over his cellphone. After restraining K.S., Underwood stated that he was attempting to place K.S. under arrest. Neal placed K.S. in handcuffs and escorted him to a vehicle for transport to the detention center. In doing so, Neal knocked K.S. to the ground while K.S. was restrained in handcuffs, injuring K.S.’s head and elbow.
The indictment alleges that Underwood and Sprouse learned that K.S. had live-streamed the video from his cellphone onto the Internet. They then announced that a radio had been lost during the seizure of K.S. Sprouse and Neal directed subordinate deputies to draft a search warrant that would allow them to enter K.S’s home. Sprouse entered K.S’s home without a warrant, searching for the cellphone. He directed a subordinate deputy to dial a phone number in an effort to identify the target phone by making it ring. Sprouse ultimately removed a cellphone from K.S’s home without consent. Sprouse then delivered that phone to a Sheriff’s deputy in charge of evidence collection.
The indictment charges Underwood and Sprouse with making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concerning the seizure of K.S. and the cellphone. The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Underwood is also charged with violating K.S.’s rights while acting under color of law by seizing K.S. without probable cause to believe K.S. committed a crime, causing him to be detained in jail for three nights. This count carries a maximum penalty of one year in federal prison.
Neal is charged with violating K.S.’s rights while acting under color of law by knocking K.S. to the ground while he was handcuffed, resulting in bodily injury to K.S. This count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
The full indictment can be read at [link to indictment]. The case is currently ongoing, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon said, “Those who swear to protect and uphold the law, while at the same time using their positions of power to hide their own violations of the law, will be held accountable. The American system of government depends on those in power obeying the rules and ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and equally.”
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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