Chester County sheriff says “We’re embarrassed” about county supervisor’s arrest.
A “significant portion of the drug addicts, the meth addicts,” in Chester County were being supplied by the methamphetamine operation allegedly run by suspended County Supervisor Kenneth “Shane” Stuart, Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said at a press conference Friday.
Stuart had served a dual role as Chairman of Chester County Council and the county supervisor.
“It’s as big of a trafficking case as you can have,” said Creighton Waters, who is the chief prosecutor in the case against Stuart, at Friday’s press conference.
Dorsey called methamphetamine the “biggest illicit schedule 2 drug problem in Chester County.” He said he suspects the drugs involved in this operation were smuggled from Mexico.
“This is our home. This is our leader. Quite frankly, we’re embarrassed,” the sheriff said. “It’s embarrassing.”
Stuart was arrested Thursday. The indictments against him were presented at the press conference by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Stuart was indicted on charges of manufacturing and trafficking methamphetamine. He also is accused of dealing drugs during work hours while in his county vehicle, and conspiring with others to steal catalytic converters from Chester County trucks.
Wilson also noted an additional “significant” charge: an arrest warrant served Thursday alleges Stuart trafficked 400 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Waters said Stuart used the county vehicle because he believed he would not be pulled over.
“You see corruption cases, you have narcotics cases,” Waters said, when asked the significance of the charges against Stuart. “In this case, you have both.”
Wilson said the investigation began when Dorsey approached state prosecutors weeks ago.
A judge ruled that the suspended top elected official will remain in jail at least through the weekend, the Herald reported.
Going Forward
In a phone interview with the Herald Friday, Chester County Councilman Alex Oliphant cited a history of tension between Stuart and the County Council.
“The only tension on council has been between the council and the chairman,” Oliphant said.
He said he looks forward to working with Wylie G. Frederick, who SC Gov. Henry McMaster appointed as interim supervisor late Thursday. Oliphant said the community is very familiar with Frederick, though he doesn’t know him well yet.
Frederick is currently a preacher at Faith and Love Christian Center in Chester. He also teaches at More Than Conquers College in Charlotte, a private post-secondary educational extension of Victory Christian Center Church.
Frederick also is a former Chester County magistrate judge. The Herald reported he was replaced in 2019. The executive order by McMaster states that he is a “fit and proper person” to serve as supervisor.
Oliphant said he and Councilman Pete Wilson had great conversations with Frederick early Friday and he believes the change in leadership will improve productivity on the council.
