Man Charged With Running Illegal Tattoo Parlor

Police in Clover uncovered an illegal tattoo parlor being run out of a man's apartment, possibly for months.

Officers were led to the apartment on Willow Street after two sets of parents came forward. They had learned that their 14-year-old sons had gotten tattoos without their knowledge. Neither of the two families wanted to speak with Eyewitness News about the incident.

James Robert Spinks, 24, is charged with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and running a tattoo shop without a license.

Clover police showed Eyewitness News bag after bag of evidence taken from Spinks' apartment during a search.

They found needles, a tattooing gun, ink and other tools. Capt. David Dover said what concerned him the most was the condition of the equipment.

“It's dirty," he said. “Most people don't realize the risks of using this equipment.”

Dover is talking about the risks of infectious disease. That's why all legal tattoo shops are licensed and inspected by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Clover police said they found no sterilization equipment during their search, and wore latex gloves when handling the evidence.

Dover said he thinks there are more people out there, possibly teenagers, who paid for tattoos from Spinks. The cost was generally less than $50, he said. Now, police are asking for those families to come forward.

“It’s a cheap tattoo, issued at a cheap price, and to a juvenile, so it's very enticing for them," Dover said. “If there are other cases in the city of Clover where children have been illegally tattooed, then we wish those parents would bring their children forward."

If you have information, you can call the Clover Police Department at 803-222-9494

Spinks was still in jail Thursday night. His bond was set at $5,000.