SLED Investigating Cherokee County Jail
Alternative content
jail folo
jail foloNews Channel 7 has learned that the South Carolina Law Enforcement division now as an open investigation into Cherokee County’s jail. The investigation comes after a Department of Corrections report claims jail employees allowed a former inmate to have sexual relationships out of the facility and run a business behind bars. Today, we have new information about the former inmate’s plans to marry a detention center employee, who now out of a job.
The jail is not your typical place to plan a wedding, but that’s just what the DOC found happening at the jail back in May.
Inside convicted drug trafficker Kevin Bell’s cell, investigators found a wedding invitation and a list of 60 names on the guest list. On the list, many deputies, detention officers, a solicitor investigator and five judges.
His bride-to-be was supposed to be former detention officer Kim Wilson. Earlier this week, the sheriff’s office terminated her employment after News Channel 7 questioned the sheriff about the report last week.
Before his wedding plans, the report also claims that inmate Bell spent much of his time outside the jail, including Chuck E. Cheese, where he spent the day at his daughter’s birthday party.
The report also claims the former inmate made bank visits, where investigators found Bell deposited about $23,000 dollars while incarcerated; took a trip Wal-Mart; restaurants; his mother’s residence, a Christmas dinner with the county’s chief deputy and a Harley shop.
The report also claims another inmate put out election signs for Sheriff Bill Blanton.
Blanton denies most of the report, but over the phone last week, he did tell us he allowed Bell to sell a leather jack for him on Ebay.com.
Cherokee County probate court says it does not have a marriage license on file for Bell or Wilson. Calls to their home phone were not returned.
SLED says the investigation could take weeks to complete.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Why should we leave Bill Blanton alone, he was the one letting an inmate sell a leather jacket for him on e-bay. So he had to be the one to give him access to the internet. I feel like Bill Blanton is in the wrong…And that he should be investigated along with the inmate…
I think we need to let a man like bill blanton alone. Mr bell is the one to blame he knew this was wrong.I think the sheriff’s department is in good hands.
My question is Why sheriff Blanton allowed him access to the internet? They’re enough crazy people on here as it is we don’t need someone like Mr. Bell on here, there’s no telling what else he did over the internet. The state ort to take the Judges jobs from them, and punish Sheriff Blanton(bad!bad!bad!). And as far as Miss Wilson she needs her HEAD examined…..
Like this is news? The good old boy system is alive and well in Cherokee County. Always has, always will.
i think the judges that were listed should be held accountable for their actions. they knew this was going on the outside activities and stuff, after all they are judges and they aoveall should know better. They allowed this to go on. give me a break. why should they not n=be punished also. who needs these people for judges?
Advertisement