July 7, 2025

Multiple Arrests Made Following Vehicle and Drug Seizures in Laurens County

News Summary

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has arrested six individuals after recovering stolen vehicles and illegal drugs during an investigation. Deputies responded to a stolen trailer report, leading to the seizure of firearms, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Additional arrests have been made for various offenses, highlighting ongoing concerns about property crimes and drug use in the area. Law enforcement urges community involvement to combat these issues effectively.

Laurens County, SC – The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has made six arrests following the discovery of stolen vehicles and illegal drugs on June 24. The arrests occurred after deputies responded to a report of a stolen trailer on Graden Road in Ware Shoals, leading to the seizure of a trailer along with methamphetamine, marijuana, firearms, and ammunition at the scene.

Those arrested in connection with the stolen property include:

William Bowman
John Calhoun
Carleus Fowler
Cassey Medlin
Barbara Young
Cody Ross

In addition to these arrests, law enforcement officials have made several other arrests related to recent reports of various violations. Among them, Riley Weisner from Gray Court faces charges for:

Uninsured motor vehicle fee violation (1st offense)
Child passenger restraint system article violation
Unlawful operation of an unsafe or improperly equipped vehicle

Another suspect, Haywood Watts from Waterloo, is charged with possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base (1st offense). Additionally, Teresa Pyles from Mountville has been charged with breach of peace (non-aggravated in nature), while Angela Patterson from Laurens faces charges including failure to appear after release for a misdemeanor and possession of 28 grams (1 oz) or less of marijuana or 10 grams or less of hash (1st offense). Sarrah Orvin from Laurens is also charged with possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base (1st offense).

Moreover, a separate incident involving two armed suspects occurred when they fled from law enforcement in Wheeler County after failing to stop for a stolen vehicle. The suspects, identified as Brianna Long, 27, and Steven Shinholster, 30, now face multiple counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. An investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently underway concerning this armed standoff.

These incidents reflect a larger issue of property crimes and drug-related offenses in Laurens County and the surrounding areas. The swift response of local law enforcement has led to multiple arrests that aim to tackle these ongoing problems. The discovery of illegal substances and weapons during the investigations has raised concerns about community safety and the prevalence of drug use in the area.

Law enforcement officials continue to urge the community to report any suspicious activity to help prevent future crimes. The police have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal drug use and property crimes in Laurens County and providing a safer environment for residents.

As criminal investigations continue, the outcome of these cases may lead to further law enforcement actions and community engagement efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of crime in the region. Officials encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any illegal activities to local authorities.