COLUMBIA, S.C. — The search for convicted killer Jeroid Price has stepped up as various South Carolina law enforcement agencies are now offering a $30,000 reward for information to Price's whereabouts.
Wednesday morning, South Carolina Department of Corrections, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Richland County Sheriff's Department issued a joint statement offering the reward for information that leads to the capture and return to prison of Jeroid John Price.
Price was released from prison in March 2023 after serving only 19 years of a 35 years-to-life sentence for the murder of Carl Smalls at a Columbia nightclub in 2002. Documents regarding Price's early release had been sealed in December after being signed by Circuit Judge Casey Manning, who's now retired.
Word of his early release eventually reached South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who raised objections about the process for his release. Price's attorney had said the man was released for helping law enforcement on more than one occasion.
The South Carolina Supreme Court unsealed the records and issued an order calling for Price to be returned to prison to serve the remainder of his original sentence on April 26.
Price, who had been transferred to a New Mexico prison, has not been able to be located since his release.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson's office, SLED, and Price's attorney have requested that Price turn himself in to law enforcement.
According to SLED, Price, 43, is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs an estimated 240 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous.
If you have any information about his whereabouts, please contact SLED at (866)472-8477, email tips@sled.sc.gov.