Columbia, SC (WLTX) — A search for a suspect evading arrest ended with drug charges for former Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott.
Scott was in court for the first time Wednesday afternoon, where a judge gave him a $5,500 personal recognizance bond. That meant he was released without paying any money, and wouldn't have to forfeit funds unless he breaks the conditions of his bond.
According to Richland County deputies, Tyrique Wilson, a suspect wanted out of Lexington County on several drug charges, led U.S. Marshals to Scott's house on Heyward Higgins Road. When drugs were reportedly seen in plain view inside the house, a search warrant was executed, resulting in the discovery of meth in Scott's bedroom.
"There's no sense in drug use, there's no sense in anybody being involved with people who are involved with drugs... there's no excuse for it," said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.
Seven people were reportedly inside the home at the time of the search, with three of them charged in connection to the drugs found. Jail records show Scott is charged with possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base. Wilson and Jessica Owen, who both either claimed the drugs or was in possession, were also charged in connection to the search.
During a press conference Wednesday, Lott said ony three emotions can summarize the arrest of the former chief: sad, mad and disappointment.
"You're mad that someone's done something like this, you're sad that they've thrown a career away and they're involved in something like this, and you're very disappointed," he said. "If I could strangle him I'd strangle him, but I can't."
Lott also said there was no field testing done on the drugs, because it was brought to deputies attention that Fentanyl may have been mixed with the meth. Samples have reportedly been sent out for lab testing.
Scott served as chief of police for the City of Columbia for more than two-and-a-half years beginning in 2010. Scott resigned in April of 2013, citing post traumatic stress disorder following the death of a deputy under his command while he worked at the Richland County Sheriff's Department.
Prior to his resignation as police chief, Scott had been on an indefinite leave of absence. Scott said it was during that time away he received counseling, and realized how much the 2005 death of Deputy Keith Cannon had impacted him.
In May 2013, Scott returned to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, where he had worked before becoming Columbia's police chief in 2010. Scott left the sheriff's department in July of 2016 due to medical problems, according to officials.
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