‘You Got a Vendetta’: Bowen Turner Arrest Video Released

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The circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of notorious South Carolina “fortunate son” Bowen Turner became much clearer following the release of an incident report and multiple videos by the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from this media outlet.

Turner – an accused teen rapist whose repeated coddling by the South Carolina “justice” system sparked calls for reform – was charged with resisting arrest, open container, driving under the influence (DUI), disorderly conduct and a seatbelt violation following a collision in Florence County on March 9, 2024

According to the incident report, Turner was driving a black Chevy pickup truck with a utility trailer towing an ATV when, according to a witness, he crossed the center line of the road and flipped his vehicle multiple times after overcorrecting. Dashcam video released by SCHP show a heavily damaged vehicle resting on an embankment very close to a line of large trees. Following the collision, Turner was transported to McLeod Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment.

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The investigating officers noted “multiple beer cans and mini fireball liquor bottles” scattered across the scene – ostensibly having flown from the truck during the accident. Inside the vehicle, officers found “more beers and containers of alcohol” along with indications the driver had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

SCHP Trooper Sierra Calomeris met Turner at the hospital to continue the investigation. When Calomeris asked Turner if he had been involved in a collision, he stated he had not. A nurse working at the hospital informed the trooper Turner was in fact involved in an accident and had been brought to the facility by emergency medical services. When questioned as to why he denied being in an accident, Turner replied he didn’t know why he said that – and informed Calomaris he would not provide his name to her and requested an attorney.

After informing him he wasn’t yet under arrest, he identified himself as “Bo Turner,” provided his date of birth and told her he didn’t remember what happened. Trooper Calomeris noted a strong smell of alcohol emanating from Turner and asked if he would agree to a field sobriety test. Due to possible head and neck injuries, the doctor treating Turner stated it would be best if he remained seated. After failing the test, Calomeris informed Turner he was under arrest and read him his Miranda rights.

“You cannot arrest me and I’m not going to jail,” Turner responded, according to the report.

At this point, Calomaris requested hospital security come to the room as a precaution. Turner then proceeded to take off his neck collar and tried to leave the facility “while screaming, using profane language … suspected to be under the influence and being disorderly,” the report noted.

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After a doctor cleared Turner to be placed in handcuffs and transported to a local detention center, Calomeris informed him again that he was under the arrest – and attempted to place handcuffs on him, a process which required additional officers to assist after Turner resisted.

Turner’s antics continued during his transportation to the Florence County detention center. The video from inside Calomeris’ patrol car depicted a handcuffed Turner in an unbuttoned shirt and boxers screaming slurs at the female trooper while continuously stating he was being arrested for no reason – accusing her of having a “personal vendetta” against him.

At one point in the video, Turner asked the Calomeris, “why you acting like this, man? What do you got against me?”

Calomeris calmly responded that she had nothing against him.

“Quit fucking lying,” Turner yelled back.

He quickly apologized but continued to argue.

At another point during the video, Turner referred to Calomeris as “a goddamn dyke.”

Due to his behavior at the hospital, Calomeris requested Florence County deputies meet her at the detention center to deescalate the situation. According to her report, after arriving at the jail Turner continued uttering profanity as well as sizing up the other officers stating that “if he wasn’t in handcuffs things would be different.”

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On March 11, 2024, Florence County magistrate Jerry Rivers set Turner’s bond at $1,000 for resisting arrest and $1,500 for the other charges – but he remained in custody pending another hearing because of the conditions of his supervised release from prison. According to SCDC records (.pdf), Turner is now back in custody at Kirkland Correctional Institution.

His first court appearance has been set for May 1, 2024.

Described as a “poster boy for the injustice of influence,” Turner’s case has highlighted the leniency South Carolina’s system shows to well-connected defendants – especially those with powerful lawyer-legislators representing them. Over a period of a little more than a year in 2018-2019, Turner was accused of three sexual assaults against three different young women in three different counties. He was ultimately sentenced by former S.C. circuit court judge Markley Dennis to five years of probation after the charges were whittled down to one count of first degree assault and battery in Orangeburg County. Prosecutors in the office of S.C. second circuit solicitor Bill Weeks failed to bring charges against Turner over another sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Calhoun County.

Despite facing serious charges at the age of sixteen – charges which could have led to a maximum sentence of thirty years apiece – Turner managed to avoid prison (and the sex offender registry) .

Even after his sweetheart deal, Turner could not stay out of trouble. On Mother’s Day 2022, he was arrested in Orangeburg, S.C. after allegedly getting drunk, trying to lure a woman into a vehicle, lying to police and threatening to bite off the finger of a deputy. Turner was charged with public disorderly conduct, violation of probation, threatening a public employee and being a minor in possession of alcohol. It was this incident which ultimately led to Turner’s probation being revoked in July 2022.

Turner was represented on his sexual assault charges by powerful S.C. Senate minority leader Brad Hutto. In fact, Hutto gained infamy when he slut-shamed one of Turner’s alleged victims. Court records suggest that multiple attorneys, judges and solicitors were part of the process that led to Turner’s lenient sentencing and subsequent re-offenses. His case first appeared before now-retired judge Casey Manning – who has since been at the heart of several “Palmetto Injustice” scandals

While Turner has evaded consequences for his behavior, his alleged victims have not. On November 14, 2021, Dallas Stoller took her own life – a result of the emotional and psychological injuries she sustained after being assaulted by Turner in 2018 (and due to the bullying she received at the hands of many in Orangeburg).

Stay tuned for updates as we await word on the disposition of the latest round of charges against Turner …

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THE INCIDENT REPORT …

(SCHP)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Jenn Wood is FITSNews’ incomparable research director. She’s also the producer of the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts and leading expert on all things Murdaugh/ South Carolina justice. A former private investigator with a criminal justice degree, evildoers beware, Jenn Wood is far from your average journalist! A deep dive researcher with a passion for truth and a heart for victims, this mom of two is pretty much a superhero in FITSNews country. Did we mention she’s married to a rocket scientist? (Lucky guy!) Got a story idea or a tip for Jenn? Email her at jenn@fitsnews.com.

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