
Press Release
On September 21, 2018 at approximately 8:30 P.M. Deputies were dispatched to a call for service about a two-month-old infant being kidnapped by the babysitter. Upon arrival, Deputies were informed by the child’s mother that the babysitter, Jennifer Bunting (English), had not returned her child and had stopped communicating with her.
Deputies located the infant with Mrs. Bunting at a residence in Joanna around midnight. Mrs. Bunting was arrested for kidnapping and unlawful con

Burglary
On September 20, 2018 Investigators with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested three people in relation to a burglary and theft on Hwy 72 West in Clinton. During these incidents the suspects stole several air condition units and other items valued at approximately $2,000.00. The subjects also caused significant damage when they broke windows to enter one of the houses. The crime scene unit of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was able to link the suspects to the crim

Animal Abuse
On September 13, 2018 The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a call for service at 350 Wofford Shoals Rd. The Sheriff’s Office received a call from someone who was concerned about animals that were not being cared for properly. Upon arrival, Deputies located five dogs on the property with no food, water, or shelter. Two of the dogs were chained around their necks with heavy chains. One was padlocked around its neck so tightly that Deputies had to call for assis

Domestic Violence
On September 11, 2018 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 4989 Poplar Springs Rd regarding a domestic violence incident. Upon investigating this incident, Deputies found that Austin Burnette held the victim against her will and assaulted her in the presence of a minor child. Austin Burnette was placed under arrest for Domestic Violence 2nd Degree and kidnapping. He was transported to the Johnson Detention Center where he was booked on these charges. Burnette

Narcotic Operation
On 9/11/18 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Unit and SWAT team executed a search warrant at 413 Houston Street in Laurens. This search warrant was the result of a long-term narcotic investigation regarding the illegal sale of heroin/fentanyl pills. During the execution of this search warrant, Investigators seized a quantity of counterfeit pills, along with an undisclosed amount of cash and a quantity of marijuana. Johnny Melvin Moore of 413 Houston Street, Laurens

Narcotic Operation
On August 28, 2018 the Narcotic Unit of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested Zachary Hunter Strange in relation to a long-term investigation regarding the illegal sale of heroin/fentanyl pills. Zachary Strange was arrested at a gas station located near Hwy 221 North and I-385 in Laurens. During the incident, investigators located approximately 12 grams of fentanyl in powder form, a quantity of suboxone, and a quantity of marijuana. Strange was arrested without inciden

UPDATE: Subject Apprehended
THIS SUBJECT HAS BEEN APPREHENDED AND IS AWAITING A BOND HEARING. On 9/08/18 the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence on Carraige Farms Ct. in Gray Court in reference to a dog which was being mistreated. Deputies located a dog in a wooded area that appeared to be near death. The animal was found to be without water and only a small amount of food on the ground, which was covered in ants. The dog appeared to be extremely malnourished and dehydrated, to