The South Carolina Gang Investigators Association has recognized the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office for its role in helping to take down street gangs in Colleton County. Solicitor’s Office Investigator Dylan Hightower attended the SCGIA’s annual conference and was recognized for being a part of the Gang Unit of the Year. Other team members are: Zach Khan of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office; ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Riddleberger; ATF Case Agent Bobby Callahan; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, SC Lt. Duane Peters; Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rick Carson; Colleton-County Sheriffs-Office Sgt. Brian Varnadoe; Department of Homeland Security Agent Bill Wooten; and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (Sled) Lt. Matt Brown.
The South Carolina Gang Investigators Association has recognized the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office for its role in helping to bring down members of two Colleton County street gangs.
The 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office is a part of this year’s Gang Unit of the Year. The announcement came March 1 at the SCGIA’s annual conference in Myrtle Beach.
Investigator Dylan Hightower is a part of the team that was recognized. He is also the Region 5 Coordinator for the SCGIA, which includes the entire 14th Judicial Circuit.
The Solicitor’s Office, along with members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division; the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office; the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office; and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office worked together to investigate and successfully prosecute 17 gang members and their associates in federal District Court in 2017 using the RICO Act.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act laws treat gangs for they are – organized, on-going criminal enterprises.
The Cowboys and Wildboys street gangs battled with each other and then aligned to target rival gang members in a series of shootings that seriously injured several innocent bystanders.
The SCGIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, intervention and suppression of gangs and gang activity.
