South Carolina

SC governor suspends sheriff indicted on domestic violence charge

WALTERBORO, S.C. — A South Carolina sheriff has been indicted on a domestic violence charge, prompting the governor to suspend him from office.

A grand jury in his own county handed up a second-degree criminal domestic violence indictment Thursday against Colleton County Sheriff R.A. Strickland.

[RELATED: SC sheriff charged with domestic violence takes job leave]

Strickland was arrested earlier this month and issued a statement saying he would take a leave of absence to heal and self-reflect.

An arrest warrant says the 40-year-old sheriff punched a woman in his home in the face more than once and took her cellphones so she couldn't call for help.

Strickland faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the misdemeanor.

Gov. Henry McMaster suspended Strickland and named State Law Enforcement Division Lt. Charles Ghent acting sheriff. Strickland had named his chief deputy acting sheriff.

Associated Press

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