Slaying suspect caught

Man found hiding in crawlspace in Woodrow Ave. home

March 9, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

The message was clear Thursday morning: You can run and you can hide, but you still won’t escape the grasp of the Greenwood Police Department.
Police caught a suspect in the Monday shooting death of Silvio Antonio Alaniz Gonzalez at a home on Independence Way. They arrested Jeremy Travio Saxon, 20, of 617 Brooks Road, Greenwood. Police Chief Gerald Brooks said he expects to charge Saxon in the slaying today.
Police also charged Saxon in a second incident Thursday, which is the charge he is currently being held on. In that incident, a Feb. 19 shooting at the Phoenix Place Apartments, Saxon is charged with two counts of assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and malicious injury to property.
Brooks said someone else also could be charged in Gonzalez’s death.
Police found Saxon hiding in the crawlspace of a home at 227 Woodrow Ave. According to police chief Gerald Brooks, Saxon had gone into the crawlspace through a trap door in the floor of the home shortly before officers swarmed the house.
“We put the warrants out for (Saxon) late Wednesday night,” Brooks said. “We had good information that he was hiding at (227 Woodrow Ave.). So, we staked out the house during the night.”
Brooks said officers continued their surveillance throughout the night. Early Thursday, officers saw other individuals leave the house, but not Saxon.
“It was shortly after that that we got consent from the lady of the house to search the residence,” Brooks said.
Officers stormed the residence, some clad in bulletproof vests. An armored vehicle was deployed, which Brooks said is not uncommon in the apprehension of suspects wanted for crimes dealing with firearms.
After a thorough search of the house, Brooks said officers discovered the trap door and spotted Saxon in the crawlspace. Brooks said Saxon did not initially want to come out.
“We asked him to come out from under there, and he refused,” Brooks said. “So we told him we could make other arrangements.”
According to Brooks, Saxon was not fond of those arrangements.
“We called out the K-9 unit,” Brooks said. “We informed (Saxon) that if we released the dog under there, he would be at a disadvantage. At that point, he agreed to come out.”
Gonzalez, 23, was from Pickens and was a native of Nicaragua. Police found him dead shortly after 7 p.m. Monday in the Independence Way residence. He had one gunshot wound under his left armpit, and Greenwood County coroner Jim Coursey said the bullet pierced Gonzalez’s heart and a lung.
A second victim was also shot, and was taken to Self Regional Healthcare for treatment. Police did not release his name.

2 plead guilty in meth ring case

Brothers’ operation stretched from Mexico to North Carolina

March 9, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

For Daniel Stanley and brother Harold Stanley Jr., tabbed as “kingpins” in one of the largest methamphetamine distribution rings ever to be broken within the state, the game was finally up.
The Eighth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office announced Thursday that both men have pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, resulting in a 13-year sentence for Daniel Stanley and a six-year sentence for Haro ld Stanley Jr. The maximum penalty is 15 years.
Daniel Stanley — called the “primary target” in a meth trafficking operation stretching from North Carolina to Mexico, which the brothers ran out of his Greenwood home — reached his plea agreement with the solicitor’s office on March 2, while Harold Stanley Jr. pled guilty on Thursday.
Eighth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Jerry W. Peace praised the effort and cooperation put forth by law enforcement and his office.
“The outstanding work by (Greenwood County) Sheriff Dan Wideman and the Vice (Illegal Drugs & Organized Crime) unit allowed us to bring these criminals to justice,” Peace said. “This is an excellent example of what happens when law enforcement and prosecutors work together.”
Officers with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office’s VIDOC unit conducted a six-month sting dubbed “Operation: Family Tree,” which concluded in December 2005 with more than 30 suspects being collared and charged with participating in crimes ranging from the sale of illegal narcotics to the sale of stolen vehicles.
After searching Daniel Stanley’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, VIDOC agents discovered around one gram of methamphetamine – more than $22,000 in cash – and records associated with the sale of methamphetamine.
He then gave a confession detailing his involvement in the sale of methamphetamine. According to the confession, the source for the methamphetamine was a man in North Carolina named Lachez.
Daniel Stanley admitted to having visited with this man at least twice per week from September 2004 through October 2005.
The defendant estimated he purchased between one and three pounds of methamphetamine per week during that particular period.
Returning from these trips, Daniel Stanley would make regular stops in which he would visit regular customers. Although some of these transactions occurred outside Greenwood County, Stanley used his Greenwood home as the main headquarters for the distribution scheme.
Daniel Stanley is described by Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman as the “head of a dangerous organization responsible for importing poison into this county.”
“Operation: Family Tree” eventually netted 32 suspects, more than $30,000 in cash, several vehicles, and detailed the importation of more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico to Greenwood.
The investigation began after the VIDOC unit noticed an increase in methamphetamine that was available in Greenwood County, but detected no increase in the traditional “homegrown” methamphetamine lab seizures that usually accompany such an increase.
“We knew we were facing an organization which imported the drug into Greenwood County,” Wideman said. “The investigation uncovered a utility trailer theft ring, a chop shop for stolen cars, and a counterfeiter just to name a few. These guys were trading stolen cars for $200 worth of meth.”
Daniel Stanley quickly came to the forefront of the investigation as the head of the Greenwood County methamphetamine distribution ring and supplier of illegal narcotics to dealers in three counties. Agents infiltrated the organization and arranged undercover drug purchases, eventually identifying 20 of the key members of the conspiracy and learning the narcotics were being transported to South Carolina from Mexico.
Parts of the investigation that left the Palmetto State were coordinated with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Having one of our vice agents serving as a federal agent on the DEA Task Force makes this kind of coordination much easier since the trail on this case strings from Greenwood, to Spartanburg, to North Carolina and finally to Mexico,” Wideman said.
At least five other “lesser members” of the “Operation: Family Tree” organization have already pleaded guilty to charges. Wideman expects the guilty pleas received this week will enable the Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office to move quickly on the remaining defendants.
“We’ve worked closely with the Solicitor’s Office on the ‘Family Tree’ prosecution,” Wideman said. “We knew how complex multi-part conspiracy cases can be. They assigned the cases to assistant solicitor Demetri Andrews, who worked tirelessly with the VIDOC crew to move them through the system.”
Wideman also expressed his admiration for the work of his vice unit.
“These guys used every bit of their dedication, cunning, and training during this investigation,” he said. “They followed these people on foot, in cars, and from the air; spent countless hours on surveillance missions; and listened to dealer-to-dealer phone calls until their ears were hurting.”
Wideman was present in the Greenwood County Courthouse for the pleas as the brothers admitted their guilt in open court.
“We take a beating from the folks we arrest,” Wideman said. “They declare their innocence to the end and call us liars, so it’s nice to watch them in court when they realize their game is up.”

Lady Eagles get volleyball coach

March 9, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood High School volleyball team appears to be in good hands following Thursday’s announcement that Heather Vahjen, a former player at Lander University who also enjoyed a stellar prep career at Dorman High School, has been named the new Lady Eagles volleyball coach.
Vahjen replaces coach Rebecca Anderson, who retired from coaching but will continue teaching at GHS.
“Well, first of all, I want to say that I know what a good job Rebecca Anderson did for us over a number of years and how much we appreciated her hard work and effort,” Greenwood athletic director Shell Dula said. “We’re excited about Heather coming and joining our staff.”
Dula introduced Vahjen to a large group of student-athletes who might be a part of her inaugural Lady Eagles squad.
“We’re really excited about a new era in volleyball at Greenwood High,” Dula said during his introduction of Vahjen. “The young lady that’s coming to lead our volleyball team is a winner.”
Those in attendance listened intently as Vahjen spoke about her plans for the program.
“To move into a head coaching position, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Vahjen said. “I think that it’s definitely going to be a good experience. I think I’ll be able to help a program (Greenwood High) progress. Just having the experience and being around a lot of coaches, I’ve learned a lot of different coaching styles and learned a lot about different areas of the game.”
Vahjen, who also serves as director of Club South Greenwood, a club team for volleyball players ages 11 and up, says she is ready to start working with the players, whom she encouraged to be as well-rounded as they could be athletically.
“We hope to be on the court by the end of this month,” Vahjen said. “We’ll be in the weight room at the start of the summer once they’re done with school.”
Vahjen lost only one game while playing for the Cavaliers while in high school. That loss came in the state championship her junior year, but was only a blip on the radar as she helped her team raise the trophy at the end of the other three seasons.
After four seasons as a member of Lander’s Lady Bearcats, Vahjen spent time as an assistant coach at USC-Aiken and more recently as an assistant coach at Ninety Six High School alongside coach Beth Miller.
Vahjen resides in Greenwood with her husband, Michael, and 8-month-old son Landen.

Obituaries

Joseph H. Anderson

HODGES — Joseph Harvey Anderson, 55, of 215 Cromer Road, died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at his home.
The family is at the home of a brother Fletcher Anderson, 2416 Dixie Drive.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Bobby Barber

Robert Wesley Barber, 69, of 112 McKee Drive, husband of Virginia Cook Barber, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at his home.
Born in Cedartown, GA, he was a son of the late Wesley J. and Ora Atkins Barber. He was self employed and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Juanita Timmerman.
Surviving are his wife of the home; six daughters, Bonnie Sue Leopard and Dana Storey, both of Greenwood, Jeanette Black of Ninety Six, Judy Tevis of Mauldin, Debra Blaney of Ozark, AL, and Marla Starling of Dunnellon, FL; a son, Robbie Barber of Greenwood; two sisters, Ann Farmer of Ninety Six and Louise Short of Albany, GA; two brothers, Tommy Barber of Due West and Jerry Barber of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joe Chapman officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth Black, Nathan Morgan, Brent Leopard, Travis Barber, Eddie Barber and Lance Reynolds. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from Noon-2 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the account of Robert W. Barber, Harley Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Dante Bollini

McCORMICK — Dante E. Bollini, 75, of 264 Fairway Drive, husband of Elizabeth Litman Bollini, died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
The family is at the home in Savannah Lakes.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood.

Erma Mewbourn

Erma Ridlehoover Mewbourn, 93, formerly of Merriman Avenue, widow of Thomas C. Mewbourn, died Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

William ‘Bud’ Scott

ABBEVILLE — William H. “Bud” Scott, 91, resident of 1401 Cedar Springs Road, husband of Georgia Satcher Scott, died Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Abbeville, SC, he was a son of the late George E. and Pearl Mahaffey Scott.
Bud was a retired textile employee fixer with Abbeville Mills. He was a loyal member of the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors are: his beloved wife of 66 years, Georgia Satcher Scott of the home; 1 daughter, Jean S. Ouzts of Abbeville, SC; 1 son, George Ronnie Scott of Littleton, NC; 5 sisters, Sookie Able, Pauline Stone, Inez Stone, Mary Cartledge and Pat Ware, all of Abbeville, SC; 2 brothers, Emmett Scott and Perrin Scott of Abbeville, SC; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister Ruby Mobley and a brother John Scott.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with the Revs. Ray Massey and Alvin Hodges officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Saturday morning prior to services. The family is at the home 1401 Cedar Springs Road, Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church, 109 Barnett St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Scott family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

Term limits and benefits and careers in government

March 9, 2007

Whatever happened to the movement to mandate term limits for lawmakers? It was a hot topic at one time. A few candidates - and office holders - were serious about it ..... for a while. Then it all seemed to disappear.
There are good cases to make for both sides of that issue. Seniority, of course, allows lawmakers to do things for their constituents they might not otherwise be able to do. As the saying goes, they bring home the bacon. On the other side, if lawmakers stay in office too long they get too powerful and some of them sometimes appear to consider their offices private property.

MAYBE THERE’S A GOOD compromise ..... at least from the perspective of taxpayers. It would never see the light of day, to be sure, but it’s worth thinking about.
Take away the special benefits lawmakers in Columbia and Washington get - pensions, health care, etc. - and make them live like everyone else. Once they experience the results of their decisions and not have those benefits, they might see things differently.
Anyway, the Founding Fathers expected members of Congress and state legislatures to be part-time lawmakers. They didn’t envision them as career jobs. That, though, is what some have become. Who pays? That’s a no-brainer.