LANCASTER, SC - The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office arrested former Deputy Charles Minors on six counts of Burglary, four counts of Theft of a Controlled Substance and one count of Obtaining Prescription Drugs by Deceit.

Minors is currently being held at the Lancaster County Detention Center. Bond has not yet been established.

Minors is accused of befriending an elderly neighbor and using subterfuge, trickery or deceit to gain entry into her home and steal her prescription medication.

Burglary is defined as entering into a residence with the intent to commit a crime. As in this case, the entry does not have to be by force, but may be by the use of trickery or deceit. Each count of Burglary 2nd Degree carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, each count of Theft of a Controlled Substance carries a 5 year maximum prison sentence or $5,000 fine or both and the  Obtaining Prescription Drugs by Deceit carries a 2 year maximum prison sentence or $500 fine.

This case originated when family members of the victim contacted an investigator with the sheriff’s office with whom they attend church and raised concerns that the victim’s medication was being stolen by Minors. The investigator spoke with the victim about the allegations, based on this conversation an official incident report was filed, and an investigation was launched.

Sheriff Barry Faile stated, ‘As with the majority of the crimes in this country, substance abuse seems to be at the root of these crimes. However, it is certainly not an excuse for criminal behavior and wrongdoing by any member of this agency and will not be tolerated, even if it results in criminal charges against one of our own.”

“As law enforcement officers we are rightly held to a higher standard than others.” Faile continued, “The trust that is placed in us by the citizens we protect and serve is awesome and criminal behavior for any reason has no place in our profession. It is unfortunate that the misdeeds of one law enforcement officer will tarnish the good work of the rest of our deputies.”

Minors had previously served with the Lancaster City Police Department and the Pageland Police Department before coming to the sheriff’s office in 2007.