News Summary
Under interim Sheriff Jeffery Stephens, Spartanburg County has decided to suspend the controversial Rolling Thunder operation, which has faced serious accusations of racial profiling and illegal searches. Candidates for the sheriff position have expressed their opposition to this initiative, emphasizing the need for more transparent law enforcement practices and a focus on community safety rather than aggressive search-and-seizure tactics. The move signifies a potential shift in local law enforcement priorities, aiming for greater accountability and community trust.
Spartanburg County, SC – Under the leadership of interim Sheriff Jeffery Stephens, the controversial Rolling Thunder operation will not take place this year, marking a significant shift in local law enforcement practices. The Rolling Thunder operation, an annual search-and-seizure initiative, has faced accusations of racial profiling and executing undocumented searches during its execution.
Former Sheriff Chuck Wright, who resigned following an investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI, previously oversaw the Rolling Thunder program. During a Rolling Thunder operation conducted in October 2022, a bus transporting students from Shaw University was stopped, although no illegal activities were discovered. This incident heightened concerns about the legitimacy and efficacy of the program.
Candidates vying for the position of sheriff have voiced their opposition to reviving the Rolling Thunder initiative. Among the candidates, Nick Duncan, Ric Stephens, Joseph Pilato, and Bill Rhyne have publicly expressed their disapproval of civil asset forfeiture without criminal charges. Bill Rhyne characterized Rolling Thunder as fiscally irresponsible and proposed the establishment of a permanent interdiction team instead. Joseph Pilato raised alarms about operations that focus on minor details potentially leading to wrongful charges against innocent individuals.
Stephens has labeled Rolling Thunder a misallocation of resources and has pointed to instances of illegal searches associated with the program. Meanwhile, candidate Andy Clark emphasized that any civil asset forfeiture should necessitate robust evidence of a crime before implementation. Although candidates Clark and Robert Cheeks acknowledged the decision to suspend Rolling Thunder as beneficial, both indicated that the initiative could be reconsidered in the future.
The candidates collectively signalled a new focus on intercepting drugs directly on county streets rather than pursuing interstate operations. In a previous operational cycle of Rolling Thunder, law enforcement stopped 687 motorists, resulting in various arrests and seizures exceeding $100,000. In 2023 alone, the operation yielded over half a million dollars in seized assets alongside an extensive number of vehicle searches.
The Institute for Justice has filed lawsuits against the sheriff’s office, citing concerns regarding transparency in operations related to Rolling Thunder. Data analysis indicated significant racial disparities in the stops and arrests made during these operations, raising alarms regarding potential discriminatory practices embedded within the program.
During Wright’s administration, Rolling Thunder primarily aimed to remove drugs from the highways of Spartanburg County, claiming to enhance community safety. However, a year prior, Wright himself revealed that more than 70% of searches conducted during these initiatives did not yield any illegal substances, thereby calling into question the overall effectiveness of the operation.
The development comes amid increasing calls from community and political leaders seeking a reassessment of local law enforcement priorities and practices. The ending of Rolling Thunder under interim Sheriff Jeffery Stephens signals a potential shift in approach to law enforcement in Spartanburg County, with the focus likely moving towards community engagement and protective measures rather than controversial search-and-seizure programs.
As Spartanburg County navigates this new era of law enforcement, the community will be observing how these changes will impact crime rates, community trust, and the accountability measures in place for law enforcement operations.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Sheriff Candidates on Rolling Thunder Plans
- Goupstate: Spartanburg’s Interim Sheriff Phases Out Operation Rolling Thunder
- WSPA: Spartanburg Co. Sheriff’s Office to Release Details from Operation Rolling Thunder
- Wikipedia: Asset Forfeiture
- Reason: South Carolina County Ends Its Civil Forfeiture Blitz After 20 Years
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
