Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office

Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office, 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office serves as ministers of justice by fairly prosecuting criminal cases and protecting public safety in Richland and Kershaw counties.

A Richland County jury convicted Derrick McLemore of armed robbery following a June 2024 incident in which he threatened...
09/03/2026

A Richland County jury convicted Derrick McLemore of armed robbery following a June 2024 incident in which he threatened a Food Lion employee with a metal object after stealing beer from the store.

Judge Christopher Taylor sentenced McLemore to 12 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

For more details, read the full news release in the comments below.

[Graphic of a blue gradient banner and a Lady Justice silhouette against a navy background. The graphic reads, "Latest News, Richland County: Stolen Bud Light lands man in prison for 12 Years."]

A Kershaw County jury convicted Thomas Emory Vella Jr. of burglary in the first degree following a home invasion at an e...
08/24/2026

A Kershaw County jury convicted Thomas Emory Vella Jr. of burglary in the first degree following a home invasion at an elderly couple's home in Camden.

Judge T.W. McGee sentenced Vella to 27 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

For more details, read the full news release in the comments below.

[Photo of a wooden judge's gavel with a brass band rest on a sound block in the foreground, with blurred blue law books in the background.]

Raquan Antrun Holmes pleaded guilty to armed robbery, kidnapping, pointing and presenting a firearm, assault and battery...
08/21/2026

Raquan Antrun Holmes pleaded guilty to armed robbery, kidnapping, pointing and presenting a firearm, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, in connection with an armed robbery at a Kershaw County Dollar General.

Judge T.W. McGee sentenced Holmes to 15 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

For more details, read the full news release in the comments below.

[Photo of a wooden judge's gavel with a brass band rest on a sound block in the foreground, with blurred blue law books in the background.]

Theodore Donnell Sheppard pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges and possession of a weapon during the comm...
08/20/2026

Theodore Donnell Sheppard pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, following an investigation into drug overdoses in the Lugoff and Camden areas of Kershaw County.

Judge Debra McCaslin sentenced Sheppard to 15 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

For more details, read the full news release in the comments below.

[Photo of a wooden judge's gavel with a brass band rest on a sound block in the foreground, with blurred blue law books in the background.]

A Richland County jury convicted Michael Andre Harper of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a vi...
08/17/2026

A Richland County jury convicted Michael Andre Harper of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the July 2024 killing of Jimmy’s Auto Repair owner Henry Durugbor.

Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Harper to life imprisonment for murder and five years for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The sentences will run concurrently.

For more details, read the news release in the comments below.

[Photo of a wooden judge's gavel with a brass band rests on a sound block in the foreground, with blurred blue law books in the background.]

We enjoyed connecting with our neighbors and law enforcement during this year's National Night Out. Events like these fo...
08/11/2026

We enjoyed connecting with our neighbors and law enforcement during this year's National Night Out. Events like these foster a strong sense of community.

From sweet treats to great conversations, it was a wonderful evening spent building meaningful relationships.

A big thank you to Solicitor Byron Gipson, Deputy Solicitor Curtis Pauling, Victim Witness Director Jacquelyn Smith, Assistant Solicitors Michael Bradbury and Donna Green, and others not pictured who represented our office.



[Six photos from National Night Out.

Image 1: Deputy Solicitor Curtis Pauling chats with three members of law enforcement.

Image 2: Solicitor Byron Gipson, City Councilman Tyler Bailey, and other public service leaders stand together at a National Night Out event.

Image 3: Assistant Solicitors Michael Bradbury and Donna Green pose with Deputy Solicitor Curtis Pauling at a National Night Out event in Kershaw.

Image 4: Victim Witness Director Jacquelyn Smith poses with community members at a National Night Out event.

Image 5: Deputy Solicitor Curtis Pauling shares a sweet treat with law enforcement.

Image 6: Deputy Solicitor Curtis Pauling and Assistant Solicitor Donna Green pose with law enforcement.]

08/10/2026

We have a new look, and we’re excited to share it with you!

Our updated visual identity creates a cohesive look across our public communications.

It's one way we’re working to communicate more clearly about public safety, the criminal justice system, and the programs and services our office provides.

Learn more by reading the full news release in the comments below.

Nakia Shelton Brunson pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, second offense, distribution of methamphetamine nea...
08/05/2026

Nakia Shelton Brunson pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, second offense, distribution of methamphetamine near a school, and two counts of throwing bodily fluids on a law enforcement officer.

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office narcotics agents observed Brunson making multiple drug sales at the Park View Inn in Camden. In separate incidents, he spat on a Camden police officer and a Kershaw County Detention Center employee.

Judge T.W. McGee sentenced Brunson to:
• 24 years for trafficking methamphetamine, second offense.
• 10 years for distribution of methamphetamine near a school.
• Five years for each count of throwing bodily fluids on a law enforcement officer.

All sentences will run concurrently.

For more details, read the full news release in the comments below.

[Photo of a wooden judge's gavel with a brass band rests on a sound block in the foreground, with blurred blue law books in the background.]

Address

1701 Main Street
Columbia, SC
29012

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18035761800

Website

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