Staff Report

A roadside shooting investigation on U.S. 1 led to the victim and two others being charged with trafficking in cocaine, while a search of a home in Rockingham netted drug charges for a local youth mentor and two others.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation stemming from the Aug. 9 shooting of 25-year-old Kyle Morrell Briggs, of Washington Street, Summerton, S.C., led to three arrests after a drug seizure from the vehicle he was in.

Briggs was wounded multiple times in the lower body in the shooting in what investigators described as an attempted robbery.

The three people, who are now all charged, told deputies their car had a flat tire, and a gold Dodge Intrepid or Chrysler Sebring with three unknown black males pulled up and offered to help, then they demanded money and shot Briggs.

Deputies said they found 66 grams of crack cocaine and 14 grams of marijuana during a search of the car the victims were riding before the shooting.

Briggs is charged with felony trafficking in cocaine and misdemeanor simple possession of marijuana. His bond was set at $50,000.

Brandon L. Ellerbe, 23, of Chapman Street, Cheraw, S.C., and Lori Elizabeth Byrd, 25, of Robeson Street, Bennettsville, S.C., both face the same charges. Both bonds were set at $25,000.

In the second investigation, the RCSO Vice/Narcotics Unit received a search warrant for a home in Rockingham after receiving complaints of drug activity.

The search allegedly uncovered 30 grams of crack cocaine in the septic tank of an employee at a firm in Rockingham that provides guidance for youth.

Patrick “Pat” Demone McLaughlin, 32, of A Street, Rockingham, was arrested and charged with felony counts of trafficking in cocaine, maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substances and counterfeit trademark. His bond was set at $300,000.

Two others were arrested after the search.

John Wayne Ledbetter, 50, of Ledbetter Hailey Drive, Rockingham, was arrested and charged with felony counts of possession of cocaine and habitual felon and a misdemeanor count of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $50,000.

William Dowdy Jr., 55, of Hummingbird Lane, Rockingham, was arrested and charged with felony counts of possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $25,000.

Other arrests reported by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office include:

n Aaron Preston Henry, 17, of Sleepy Hollow Drive, Rockingham, was arrested and charged with felony counts of sell or deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance. His bond was set at $5,000.

n Walter Williams, 37, of Lauch Blue Road, Gibson, was arrested and charged with felony larceny of a dog. He was released on a written promise to appear in court.

Also arrested was Joann Elaine Meredith, 23, of the same address, and charged with felony larceny of a dog.

n The RCSO Vice/Narcotics Unit also reported two seizures of growing marijuana plants that totaled 43 plants. No arrests have been made in either case.

Arrest reports published in the Richmond County Daily Journal are copied from local law enforcement records. Except for people injured in motor vehicle accidents or reportable deaths, victims including people, businesses and institutions and their addresses are not included as a matter of newspaper policy. Reports include both arrests and criminal summons such as citations. The Daily Journal lists them all as arrests. People charged are presumed innocent until determined to be guilty by a court of law.