CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — A South Carolina detention officer has resigned and now faces criminal charges after authorities say he deployed a TASER inside a jail housing unit during a confrontation with inmates and other correctional officers.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Chesterfield County Detention Center while officer Shyheim Ledbetter was distributing food trays, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said Ledbetter became involved in an argument with two inmates, escalating tensions inside the housing unit. During the confrontation, he pointed his TASER at the inmates.
Other correctional officers responded and instructed Ledbetter to holster the device and leave the area, which he initially did. However, Ledbetter returned to the pod while still upset and again drew his TASER, deploying it while pointing it toward inmates and fellow officers, the sheriff’s office said.
During the incident, one inmate who was struck by the TASER grabbed a female correctional officer, causing her to experience the effects of the device. Two additional officers were struck by the TASER wires, according to the sheriff’s office.
Ledbetter has been charged with four counts of third-degree assault and battery and misconduct in office. Authorities said he turned himself in on March 6 and is no longer employed by the detention center.
Ledbetter had been sworn in as a detention officer on Jan. 20, 2026.
“The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining professionalism, accountability, and the safety of both staff and inmates within our detention facilities,” the sheriff’s office said.
