S.C. corrections officer accused of aiding inmate in attempted murder cover-up

The CO knew about the knife and helped the inmate destroy evidence after the attempted murder at Turbeville prison, according to a warrant

January 22, 2026 05:16 PM

By Javon L. Harris
The State

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A former South Carolina Department of Corrections officer was arrested after helping an inmate cover up an attempted murder inside the prison, according to the department.

Shama Tenecia Toney, 42, of Dalzell was charged Jan. 15 with accessory after the fact to a felony and misconduct in office following an incident at Turbeville Correctional Institution on earlier this month, according to a news release from the Department of Corrections.

On Jan. 2 , Toney — while working as a correctional officer at Turberville — failed to protect inmates and staff by assisting an inmate in committing attempted murder, according to an arrest warrant. Toney had knowledge the inmate was in possession of a knife when the inmate assaulted another inmate at the institution, the warrant said.

Toney then further aided the suspect inmate by helping him to circumvent arrest, trial or conviction by failing to prevent the inmate from obtaining, concealing and destroying the knife used in the commission of the crime, according to a warrant.

The Dalzell woman also failed to report details surrounding the stabbing to her supervisors, the warrant said.

Investigators gathered evidence against Toney from prison incident reports, video surveillance footage, photographs, medical records and statements from staff, inmates and the victim, according to the warrant.

Toney was booked into the Clarendon County Detention Center where she was later released on a $20,000 bond, according to court records.

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