On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Jeffrey Colton Hill found himself in the custody of Colleton County Sheriff’s Office deputies, a consequence of a felony warrant. Records of detainees show the 34-year-old, commonly known as “Colt,” was processed into the Colleton County detention center at 4:28 p.m. EST.
Following Jeffrey Colton Hill's arrest on November 21, 2023, the charge levied against him, under statute 17-30-20 for wiretapping, sheds light on the legal intricacies surrounding the ongoing investigation. Amidst the unfolding developments, the arrest details reveal a bond set at $20,000, provided in the form of personal recognizance. The bail, established by Sophia T. Henderson, Associate Chief Magistrate, adds a layer of legal gravity to the unfolding events in this case.
This development emerges from an ongoing investigation prompted by the request of South Carolina’s fourteenth circuit solicitor, Duffie Stone, seeking scrutiny into alleged improprieties within the county’s technology department. The focus of this inquiry? Hill, identified as the county’s technology director.
The name jar your memory to those entrenched in our comprehensive coverage of the 'Murdaugh Murders' saga, as Hill's mother, Becky Hill, serves as the clerk of court for Colleton County. Her involvement in overseeing the high-profile trial of convicted felon Alex Murdaugh has garnered international attention. Hill not only announced the guilty verdict but penned a memoir, "Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders," and featured prominently in a Netflix documentary about the trial.
Recent legal maneuvers by Murdaugh’s defense team implicated Becky Hill in potential jury tampering, an allegation she vehemently denies, supported by legal representation from Justin Bamberg and Will Lewis. Despite initial reports suggesting substance to her denials, Hill has faced ongoing scrutiny. For more information on this, read the new book, Defending Alex Murdaugh" Not Guilty by Reasonable Doubt, by Crime and Cask.
Jeffrey's arrest reportedly stems from allegations of illicitly recording conversations involving Meagan Utsey, the deputy county administrator engaged in court-related duties during Murdaugh’s trial. While the link between Jeffrey's arrest and the Murdaugh case remains unclear, the timing proves intriguing, considering the allegations against his mother.
In tandem with Jeffrey's arrest, reports surfaced of a search warrant issued by SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) for Becky Hill's cellphone. Sources close to the clerk’s office confirmed Hill’s submission of her phone to investigators on Tuesday evening.
Jim Griffin, lead defense counsel for Alex Murdaugh Tweeted about Mr. Hill's arrest on the same night with only the word, "Wow".