South Carolina Deputy Charged For Lethal Shooting of Unarmed Man and Allowing Police Dog Attack
I. Allegations and Arrest
A deputy in South Carolina has been implicated in two major criminal accusations. The individual is being accused of shooting an unarmed suspect five times, subsequently resulting in the suspect’s death. Additionally, charges indicate that the deputy’s unleashed police dog mauled an unrelated, innocent civilian. State agents apprehended the deputy, identified as former Florence County law enforcement officer Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, on August 20, 2024. Seller’s charges include voluntary manslaughter and assault.
Sellers was initially placed on administrative leave following the shooting incident, which occurred on May 26. However, he was dismissed from service in July, subsequent to an arrest in an unrelated domestic violence case. Seller’s bond hearing was scheduled for Thursday at the Florence County jail. The records of the jail did not provide an indication of whether Sellers had legal representation.
II. The Sequence of Events
The sequence of events leading to the charges began when Sellers engaged in a pursuit with an individual named William Dwayne Rankin, aged 43. The chase ended when Rankin crashed his vehicle into a tree near Florence and took refuge in a nearby residence. In response, Sellers pursued Rankin into the house using the back entrance. He was accompanied by his police dog, who was off-leash at the time. Surprisingly, Sellers failed to identify himself as a police officer when entering the property, a generally accepted procedure.
Upon entering the residence, Sellers commanded his dog to attack. This command was issued without confirmation of the identities of the individuals within. As a result, the dog bit and mauled Johnny Cooper, the property owner and an unrelated party to the ongoing chase. Furthermore, while the dog attacked Cooper, Sellers shot Rankin five times as he lay on a couch within the property, as per the sworn statement.
III. Charges and Penalties
Sellers’ serious charges reflect the severity of his alleged actions. In Rankin’s death, the charges of voluntary manslaughter could result in a prison sentence ranging between two and 30 years if Sellers is found guilty. Regarding Cooper’s assault by the dog, Sellers is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, which could lead to another 20-year sentence if convictied.
TJ Joye, Florence County’s Sheriff, has publicly addressed the incident, stating that he has met with the families of both Mr. Rankin and Mr. Cooper. He expressed sorrow and regret for the catastrophic sequence of events. Joye emphasized that these actions are not representative of their law enforcement values, mission, or training guidelines.