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14th Circuit Solicitor: Former Office Director Indicted for Misconduct After Allegedly Warning Program Participant of ICE Investigation

BEAUFORT, S.C. — 14th Circuit Solicitor: Former Office Director Indicted: A former program director for the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office is now at the center of a criminal case that raises serious questions about professional ethics and the administration of justice in South Carolina’s judicial system.

Teresa Jane Pye, the former head of the office’s Multidisciplinary Court program, has been formally charged with misconduct in office, according to Beaufort County General Sessions Court records. The indictment, filed on March 13, 2025, stems from allegations that Pye improperly alerted a participant in the court’s intervention program that federal immigration agents were seeking to detain him.

⚖️ Case Overview: State of South Carolina vs. Teresa Jane Pye

Case Number: 2025GS0700443
Filed Date: March 13, 2025
Court: Beaufort County General Sessions
Charge Code: 0819 – Misconduct in office, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance
Status: Pending
Indictment Issued: True Bill returned on March 13, 2025
Arrest Date: June 18, 2024
Judge Assigned: Clerk of Court, C.P., G.S., and Family Court

️‍♂️ What Happened?

In a press release issued by 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone, it was confirmed that Stone requested an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) on June 21, 2024, shortly after receiving a report of the misconduct. Pye was placed on administrative leave the same day.

By August 13, 2024, she was formally removed from her position following the results of a human resources investigation that reportedly uncovered further behavioral concerns related to her handling of confidential program matters.

Pye’s role involved overseeing defendants enrolled in diversion and rehabilitation programs, designed to offer alternatives to incarceration through structured treatment and supervision. Her alleged interference with an active federal investigation has sparked concern over whether other cases were compromised.

Charge Details

The charge against Pye falls under South Carolina Code 0819, which pertains to public officials engaging in misconduct in office, including acts of malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance. If convicted, she could face fines, disqualification from holding future public office, and possible incarceration depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense.

Why This Matters

This case underscores ongoing concerns within South Carolina’s criminal justice system regarding ethics oversight, especially among officials entrusted with supervising vulnerable individuals. Pye’s position placed her at the intersection of public trust and legal discretion. If proven, her actions may have undermined the very integrity of the programs meant to rehabilitate and protect.

“Misconduct in office by someone in a trusted public service position is serious,” one legal expert familiar with the case noted. “It shakes the foundation of the justice system—especially in a role focused on second chances.”

Coming Up in Broken Badges in SC:

We’ll continue our reporting with a deeper dive into:

How often misconduct charges are brought against public officials in South Carolina
Oversight gaps in solicitor-run diversion programs
What’s next for the Multidisciplinary Court program in the 14th Circuit

Stay tuned as we track updates in the State vs. Pye case and examine how her indictment may ripple across South Carolina’s judicial programs.

Tips or story leads related to this investigation? Contact reporter James Seidel at jim@ccnewsnetwork.com or (843) 732-3171. All communications are confidential.