Jonesville Police Officer James Owens has been suspended after a teenage girl accused him of giving her and her friends alcohol at a party at the home of council member Steve Thompson.
According to an incident report, the 17-year old girl claims after she got drunk at the party on Saturday, she was raped by two teenage boys at the same home. She reported the incident on Monday when she went to a hospital to be examined. Union County investigators responded and took the report, then informed Jonesville Police Chief Jimmy Wilkins of the alcohol accusation.
Wilkins says he showed the girl a photo lineup and she identified Owens as the man who gave her alcohol. Owens was off-duty on Saturday night. He says he called Owens to his office and asked him if he was at the party.
"He said he was there and said there was alcohol there," said Wilkins. "I then informed him that he was suspended without pay and I called SLED (State Law Enforcement Division) to investigate as to whether or not he did provide alcohol to minors."
Owens has not returned calls seeking comment.
Councilman Steve Thompson says Owens did bring "about six beers" to his house, but says to his knowledge, Owens did not give anyone alcohol.
"Why would he do that? He's a police officer," said Thompson.
He said Owens was there for about an hour but he admits he was not always in Owens' presence. He believes Owens is innocent and thinks the accusations are politically motivated.
Thompson says there were teenage girls at his home because he was hosting a going-away cookout for his son who has joined the National Guard. He says he was not aware of the sexual assault accusations but is "looking into the matter". He said SLED agents have not questioned him yet but Wilkins says he thinks they will.
Owens was fire chief at the Arkwright Volunteer Fire Department in Spartanburg County, but Captain Jerry Yarbrough says he took a leave of absence about six weeks ago "for personal reasons" and is no longer the acting chief.
As for the sexual assault allegations against the two teenage boys, no charges have been filed at this time. Union County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
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