Pickens Co. deputy fired after arrest on DUI, hit-and-run

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — A deputy with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office was arrested by the Easley Police Department over the past weekend on charges including driving under the influence, hit & run and possession with intent to distribute narcotics.

Sheriff Tommy Blankenship promptly terminated 44-year-old Joseph Russell Williamson’s employment after reviewing initial information from the arrest.

Blankenship addressed Pickens County citizens directly on social media regarding the incident, emphasizing his commitment to transparency. The sheriff said he personally went to the Easley Police Department on the night of the arrest to review charges and available evidence.

“Based on what I observed, I made the decision to terminate this deputy’s employment with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office that same evening,” Blankenship said.

The arrest began Saturday, May 2, when an Easley Police officer observed a Ford F-150 matching a description for a hit-and-run on SC-8 at Fleetwood Drive in Easley. Police began to investigate the vehicle and its occupant, later identified as Williamson.

During a search, officers realized Williamson was a Pickens County deputy and requested a supervisor to respond to the scene. Police then conducted a DUI investigation, during which multiple physiological signs of impairment were observed. Based on his observations and sobriety tests, it was determined that Williamson’s ability to operate a vehicle was impaired, and he was arrested for DUI.

After Williamson was transported to the police department, officers located controlled substances in Williamson’s truck. These substances were secured for testing.

Williamson was charged with DUI, hit and run of an attended vehicle with property damage, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II narcotics and possession with intent to distribute Schedule IV controlled substances.

Citations were also issued for driving offenses, police said.

Sheriff Blankenship emphasized the requirement for accountability within his office and mentioned he also requested the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conduct an additional investigation to ensure thoroughness and a lack of bias.

Blankenship offered an apology to the Easley Police Department and the citizens of Pickens County, stating, “Situations like this damage the very trust that we work hard every day to build and I don’t take that lightly.”

Williamson was booked into the Pickens County Detention Center following his arrest.

He has since been released on a $23,517 bond.