Man pleads guilty in conspiracy to bring cocaine to SC
A 43-year-old man who entered the U.S. illegally pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to bring 20 pounds of cocaine into the country and send the profits back to Mexico, The State reported.
Paulo Espinoza-Ruiz made his guilty plea to a federal judge with the help of a court-appointed Spanish interpreter.
Authorities found about $400,000, guns, ammunition and a cell phone in his home last year. The phone helped authorities sieze about 10 pounds of cocaine.
Espinoza-Ruiz was overseeing shipments from Mexico to South Carolina, according to The State.
Espinoza-Ruiz will be sentenced later, and will face a minimum of 10 years in prison without parole, along with a fine of up to $10 million.
—Hannah Jeffrey, assistant news editor
State won’t charge Haley campaign after car wreck
Gov. Nikki Haley’s campaign will not have to repay the state for her security detail after it was involved in a minor car accident in June, The State reported.
Cathy Hazelwood, attorney for the State Ethics Commission sent a letter to the Haley campaign, asking for reimbursement after Haley took her security detail on what she called a campaign fundraising trip.
But State Ethics Commission Executive Director Herb Hayden said that Hazelwood’s accusations were not accurate.
“The mere fact that people gave her campaign contributions while she was there doesn’t make the event a campaign event or make the trip a campaign event,” Hayden said.
The State Ethics Commission said that campaign employees travel with Haley in state-owned vehicles was not a problem.
—Hannah Jeffrey, assistant news editor
Couple charged after having sex in Home Depot display shed
A couple was arrested earlier this week after they were found having sex in a display shed at a North Charleston Home Depot, WIS reported.
Authorities responded to a call Wednesday morning after a couple was seen heading into the display shed and shutting the door behind them.
Shaun Bowden, 31, and Emily Craig, 20, were both charged with congregation for unlawful purpose.
Bowden was also charged with indecent exposure, and Craig was charged with providing false information to police.
Officers said it was apparent the two were having sex upon their arrival. Craig’s dress was untied and hanging at her waist, and Bowden was shirtless with his pants around his knees, according to police.
—Hannah Jeffrey, assistant news editor