OKATIE, SC (Oct. 19, 2026) — A former Luray man who attacked his girlfriend in front of a child is headed to prison.
Kendrick Shanard Smoaks, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and first-degree domestic violence in connection with an Oct. 16, 2025, incident in Hardeeville.
Smoaks was sentenced to 15 years, suspended to 10 years of active imprisonment, followed by probation. As part of his sentence, Circuit Court Judge Thomas J. Rode ordered Smoaks to complete domestic violence treatment.
Law enforcement responded to a 911 call after a caller reported a woman was being strangled by her boyfriend, Smoaks. The two were engaged in an argument, and when the woman tried calling for help, Smoaks attempted to place Meyers in a chokehold and take away her phone. The assault occurred in the presence of a 3-year-old child at a home on Okatie Highway.
Smoaks’s sentencing reflects not only the seriousness of this offense but also a long-standing pattern of criminal conduct, including repeated domestic‑violence convictions, theft‑related crimes, drug distribution, burglary, assault, malicious injury to property, obstruction of an adult‑protection investigation, and multiple offenses involving unauthorized use of a vehicle. His criminal history spans more than a decade, with prior domestic‑violence convictions in 2011, 2013, and 2023.
Assistant Solicitor Marshall Frodsham prosecuted the case.
This case concludes during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to supporting survivors and raising awareness about the impact of relationship violence in communities across South Carolina and the nation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship abuse, help is available. Text “START” to 88788 or call 1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233) to connect with confidential support through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Locally, the 14th Circuit Victim Services Center is available to help connect individuals with safety planning, counseling, emergency resources, and other support services.
