South Carolina Deputy Fired After DUI, Hit-and-Run, and Drug Charges Following Weekend Arrest
Why It Matters
A law enforcement officer in South Carolina now faces felony-level drug charges alongside DUI and hit-and-run allegations, raising accountability questions for the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and drawing scrutiny from the state’s top investigative agency.
What Happened
Joseph “Joey” Russell Williamson, 44, a deputy with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested by Easley Police Department officers Saturday night following a hit-and-run crash near the intersection of West Main Street and Fleetwood Drive in Easley.
Officers located Williamson shortly after the reported crash, standing beside his county-issued 2019 Ford F-150 at a nearby gas station. After the responding officer identified him as a sheriff’s deputy, a shift supervisor was called to the scene. Williamson agreed to a field sobriety test, and based on the totality of the circumstances, officers determined he was materially and appreciably impaired. He was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.
The situation escalated further during an inventory search of the county truck. Officers discovered a toolbox containing a large number of pills stored in multiple bottles not labeled in Williamson’s name. According to arrest warrant language, the quantity of pills found was well beyond what would typically be prescribed to a single individual. Williamson was subsequently charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV controlled substances, as well as manufacturing or distributing Schedule I and II narcotics, both listed as first offenses.
Williamson was released the following day on a personal recognizance bond of $23,501, set by municipal court judge Elaina Calderon. Breath and urine test results had not been publicly released as of the time of initial reporting.
By the Numbers
- $23,501 — personal recognizance bond set for Williamson’s release
- 4 — total charges: DUI, hit-and-run, possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV substances, and manufacturing or distributing Schedule I and II narcotics
- 44 — Williamson’s age at time of arrest
- 2020 — year Williamson received an Outstanding Law Enforcement Award from the City of Easley
- May 4, 2026 — the date the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office formally requested a SLED investigation
Sheriff Acts, SLED Opens Investigation
Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship, currently in his first term, said in a video statement posted to Facebook that he personally went to Easley Police Department on the night of the arrest to review initial findings. He said he made the decision to terminate Williamson’s employment that same evening, without waiting for the investigation to conclude.
“Accountability is not optional, it is expected,” Blankenship said in the recorded remarks. He also apologized directly to Easley Police and to Pickens County residents, saying incidents of this kind “damage the very trust that we work hard every day to build.”
Blankenship confirmed he reached out to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and requested a thorough, unbiased investigation. SLED subsequently confirmed it was formally requested on May 4, 2026, to investigate allegations of misconduct involving Williamson, and that the investigation is active and ongoing.
Williamson’s Background
Williamson is a law enforcement veteran who previously served with the Easley Police Department, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant before moving to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. In July 2020, the City of Easley recognized him with an Outstanding Law Enforcement Award during a council meeting — a distinction that stands in sharp contrast to the circumstances of his termination.
Zoom Out
The case adds to a broader national pattern of scrutiny on law enforcement misconduct and departmental accountability. Incidents involving officers using agency vehicles or resources in the commission of alleged crimes have prompted calls in several states for more rigorous fleet monitoring and internal oversight protocols. In South Carolina, cases involving illegal trafficking and law enforcement-adjacent figures have drawn increased federal and state investigative attention in recent years.
What’s Next
SLED’s investigation is ongoing, and the results of Williamson’s breath and urine tests are expected to factor into prosecutors’ handling of the DUI charge. With felony drug distribution allegations on the table, the case will likely move to a higher court. Sheriff Blankenship has indicated full cooperation with state investigators, and Pickens County residents should expect further updates as the SLED review progresses.