Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced that three former South Carolina Department of Corrections officers have pleaded guilty to various charges and have been sentenced accordingly.

Kevin Leroy Howard, a former correctional officer at Tyger River Correctional Institution, pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamines, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, misconduct in office, and providing contraband to inmates. Circuit Judge J. Derham Cole sentenced Howard, 37, to four years in prison—three years for the drug charges and an additional year for the misconduct and contraband charges. These sentences will run consecutively.

Howard was arrested in July 2023 after attempting to smuggle drugs into the institution concealed within his dinner. The case against him was prosecuted by SCDC Special Assistant Attorney General Margaret Scott and investigated by SCDC Special Agent Trevor Sherbert.

In a related matter, two other former corrections officers from McCormick Correctional Institution also entered guilty pleas as part of the State Grand Jury’s “Gatekeeper” investigation. Dontai D. Parks, a former Lieutenant, and Brandon C. Taylor, a former Sergeant, admitted to misconduct in office. Circuit Judge Walton McLeod sentenced both men to seven years in prison; however, this sentence is suspended upon serving five years of probation. Additionally, they are required to submit letters to the SC Criminal Justice Academy prohibiting them from seeking future employment as law enforcement officers.

Both Parks and Taylor were involved in facilitating the entry of contraband into their institution.

The prosecution of these cases is being handled by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office State Grand Jury Division with support from the SCDC Criminal Prosecution Division as well as the SCDC Office of Inspector General and SLED.