A Laurens County, South Carolina woman was sentenced to four years behind bars for having a sexual relationship with a boy who was under the age of sixteen. Meanwhile her estranged husband – a Laurens, S.C. police officer – is back on duty despite being arrested last fall for driving under the influence.
Several Laurens residents have reached out to us expressing concern about the officer’s status – questioning whether he should be back on duty and arguing the judge who heard his case should have recused herself.
First, though, let’s address the situation involving his estranged wife …
Chasity Creasy Sherfield, 26, pleaded guilty to once count of first-degree assault and battery in connection with a sexual relationship with an underage boy that took place between August 25 and September 10, 2018.
Originally, Sherfield was charged with six criminal counts – three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
All of those charges were dismissed as a result of the plea deal, which in addition to the four-year prison term included an order that Sherfield not contact her underage victim.
Sherfield’s sentence was handed down by S.C. circuit court judge Alison Lee.
(Click to view)
(Via: Laurens County Detention Center)
Of interest? Sherfield (above) was accused of violating a no-contact order with her teenage victim in April of this year – resulting in her being sent back to the Laurens County detention center for violating a condition of her bond.
“In the face of dynamics which made this case difficult to prosecute, I am pleased that our team was able to ensure that Chasity Sherfield received an active prison sentence and is being held accountable for her actions,” S.C. eighth circuit solicitor David Stumbo told The Laurens County Advertiser.
Wait … what sort of dynamics made this case difficult to prosecute?
Stumbo did not elaborate …
Not long after Sherfield’s arrest last fall, her estranged husband – Dillon Sherfield – was charged with driving under the influence following a vehicular accident that took place in Laurens County, S.C.
Sherfield pleaded guilty in March to reckless driving, however the handling of his case has drawn allegations of favoritism.
Specifically, we are told Dillon Sherfield’s arrest involved several of his superiors allegedly “trying to (sweep the incident) under the rug.”
[su_dominion_video_scb]Furthermore, we are told Leesa Inabinet – the Laurens County chief magistrate who accepted his reckless driving plea – should have recused herself from the case given that she worked extensively with Sherfield during her tenure as the magistrate for the city of Laurens.
Laurens police officers are obviously no strangers to drama.
Back in 2016, this news outlet reported on an incident that took place in Myrtle Beach, S.C. involving Laurens police captain Scott Satterfield – who received a three-day suspension for his conduct during (and following) an altercation at a local bar.
Satterfield was allegedly with Sherfield and another deputy just prior to the latter’s accident last fall, sources familiar with the situation tell this news outlet.
To be clear: We have no information to suggest Dillon Sherfield is a bad cop. And based on what was happening in his personal life last fall, we do not begrudge the man in the slightest for needing a drink.
Still, it is imperative that sworn law enforcement officers and judges be held to the same standards as the rest of us – especially given the myriad of law enforcement scandals that have rocked Laurens County in recent years.
The public must be able to have faith in the even-handed administration of justice … and right now, it doesn’t.
-FITSNews
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(VIA: GETTY IMAGES)