RIDGELAND, SC (May 16, 2025) – A 28-year-old Jasper County man responsible for a deadly shooting while riding on an ATV has been sentenced to prison.
Dillon Wayne Seagraves of Tillman Road pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in the shooting death of 24-year-old Ryan James Johnson. Seagraves received a sentence of 22 years in prison, of which 15 years are an active sentence. Five years of probation will follow his release.
“This is the best outcome for the facts of this case.” said Trasi Campbell of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “The victim’s family can rest easy that the man who shot Ryan and is responsible for his death is now at the South Carolina Department of Corrections.”
On Jan. 13, 2024, Seagraves and a friend were riding on Seagraves’ ATV when they drove through Johnson’s yard near Preschool Road. Johnson became upset and jumped into his red car and drove after the ATV. Moments later, witnesses said they heard gunfire. Johnson was discovered on the main road, near his home. He was seated in the driver’s seat of his car, which was still in drive. He had been shot multiple times.
Later, a witness came forward to Jasper County Sheriff’s Office investigators to report Seagraves confessed to shooting Johnson. Seagraves later admitted to investigators that he owned the firearm used to shoot Johnson, although it was discarded afterwards.
Seagraves had no previous criminal record.
Circuit Court Judge Marvin Dukes III presided over the hearing.
Campbell is a member of the Career Criminal Unit, which prosecutes the circuit’s most violent and habitual offenders. This team has earned convictions against 515 of the 567 defendants it has prosecuted since its formation in 2009.
