The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has charged former Belton Police Chief James Ross Richey, 38, and former Honea Path Police Officer Brantley Keith Creel, 37, with Misconduct in Office
SLED also charged Richey with two counts of Assault & Battery – Third Degree and charged Creel with Assault & Battery – First Degree.
According to arrest warrants, Creel was charged in connection with an incident which happened April 25, 2020 while he was assisting in the arrest and apprehension of (name redacted) at O’Neal St. Belton. According to the warrant, Creel struck the victim (name redacted) in the head and face area multiple times with the muzzle of a rifle while the victim was on the ground, handcuffed, nonresistant and unable to defend (him/her self – redacted).
Richey was involved in a vehicle pursuit which (name redacted) was the driver of the vehicle being pursued. Richey immobilized the vehicle on O’Neal St. in Belton and assisted with the arrest and apprehension of the driver (name redacted). The arrest warrant states that Richey committed the offense of Assault and Battery 3rd Degree when he willfully and unlawfully struck the victim (name redacted) in the head and face area multiple times with a closed fist while the victim (name redacted) was compliant and nonresistant.
Evidence in both cases was based on witness interviews, BWC video and other information and evidence obtained during the SLED investigation.
Richey and Creel were booked into the Anderson County Detention Center. The cases will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.
