COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three Chester County Sheriff's Office officials were indicted in federal court on an eight-count indictment related to a conspiracy to cover up an unlawful arrest and excessive use of force, according to U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon.
The officials involved are: Chester County Sheriff George Alexander "Big A" Underwood, 55, of Chester; Chester County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Johnny Ricardo Neal, Jr., 39, of Lancaster; and Chester County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Robert Andrew Sprouse, 44, of Chester.
WCNC reported on the alleged incident in January. In a Facebook Live video, a 26-year-old man referred to as "K.S." in the indictment, is seen being grabbed by Sheriff Underwood as Underwood places Simpson under arrest -- this is after Simpson spent several minutes streaming an active manhunt and severe car crash to viewers
When WCNC first reported on this story in January, Sheriff Underwood said it was important to protect the safety of Simpson and the first responders on scene.
“We gave him all the opportunity to get back," he previously said. "If you [want to] do our job, come in here with a clear record and a driver’s license, I’ll give you a job.”
According to South Carolina state law, a person who is being boisterous and using profanity can be charged with disorderly conduct. However, the statute specifies, the person must be in a public place. Simpson previously said he was in his yard the entire time of the exchange.
Underwood, Neal and Sprouse will make their initial appearances at 10 a.m. on May 21 at the Matthew J. Perry Federal Courthouse in Columbia.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney Lydon said all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Following the indictment, Governor Henry McMaster suspended Underwood from office and appointed Donald “Max” Dorsey to serve as interim sheriff.