Broken Badges: A Series of Corruption and Misconduct SC Law Enforcement and Corrections Officials

By James Seidel, CC News Network

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Broken badges gone wild. A series of corruption and misconduct charges against law enforcement and corrections officials in South Carolina emerged Friday, as investigators continue to probe a spate of alleged abuses across multiple agencies.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said a former deputy, 36‑year‑old Justin Pelfrey, committed malfeasance while on duty with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in Pickens County. According to arrest warrants, Pelfrey used his position to conduct unauthorized surveillance between Oct. 25 and Nov. 6, 2024, in violation of the South Carolina Misconduct in Office Statute. Pelfrey was charged with misconduct in office and malfeasance and was booked into the Pickens County Detention Center on Feb. 7.

Broken Badges

In federal court, a former correctional officer at FCI Williamsburg was convicted after a two‑day jury trial. Angela Crosland, 51, of Elgin, was found guilty of bribery, drug distribution, money laundering and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors detailed how Crosland smuggled contraband — including Suboxone, methamphetamine, K‑2‑soaked paper, marijuana, tobacco, food and other items — into the prison in exchange for money. The nine‑month corruption scheme netted her at least $56,791 in bribes, with illicit payments sent through multiple Cash App accounts. Crosland also failed to report these earnings on her federal tax returns.

Meanwhile, a former South Carolina Department of Corrections captain has pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud conspiracy for her role in a multi‑year bribery scheme. Christine Mary Livingston, 47, of Gaston, used her position at Broad River Correctional Institute to accept bribes from inmates and their family members between 2018 and 2021. Livingston operated at least 14 peer‑to‑peer payment accounts on platforms such as Cash App, with one account receiving at least $279,000 in bribes — more than $225,000 of which was funneled into her personal accounts for shopping, ATM withdrawals and cryptocurrency purchases. Livingston also purchased 173 cell phones, 130 SIM cards and assorted accessories, which were smuggled into the facility to help inmates maintain outside contact.

In a separate investigation, two former Richland County Sheriff’s Department K9 specialists have been arrested and charged with misconduct in office after allegedly stealing and selling department equipment for personal gain. Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrests of Isaac Page and Kory Mayo, both 34, following an internal probe that began Jan. 22 after an RCSD investigator spotted law enforcement gear for sale on social media. Page was caught attempting to sell the stolen K9 equipment while on duty—in uniform and driving a county vehicle—and further investigation revealed Mayo’s involvement in similar transactions. Both were terminated on Jan. 23 and arrested on Jan. 29 at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

In one case, reports out of Georgia indicate that an investigator for the Chatham County district attorney’s office is under suspicion for using government databases to obtain personal information for his wife.

Authorities say these cases are part of a broader effort to hold public officials accountable and restore public trust. Investigators continue to examine each incident, and additional charges may follow as more evidence comes to light.

But who’s watching the cops? Cops? The FBI? We’ll see if anyone cares to investigate the Chatham County DA’s office. Maybe they’ll discover that their Georgia investigator is looking into too many people from South Carolina, and isn’t that strange for a Georgia LEA? The corruption continues, law enforcement won’t do anything about it, and the people to whom they serve will continue to suffer.

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