Tests: No alcohol, drugs in Pierce when pulled for DUI
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Retha Pierce conducts press conference about her...
Retha Pierce conducts press conference about her DUI arrestDrug tests Atlantic Beach mayor Retha Pierce took at Quality Drug Screening in Sumter show no drugs or alcohol were in her system when she was arrested on DUI charges in Marion County in September.
The test results were obtained by News 13 from Benny Webb, executive director and CEO of the Palmetto Center for Law and Justice in Sumter, at a press conference held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center in Conway on Friday.
Pierce was present at the press conference and said she hired the Palmetto Center for Law and Justice to investigate her DUI arrest.
Pierce said the test results show there was no probable cause for her arrest.
A hair test taken on October 14 at Quality Drug Screen showed Pierce had no cocaine, marijuana, opiates, methamphetamines, or phencyclidine in her system.
A urine test administered by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division also showed Pierce had no alcohol in her body when she was arrested.
Webb, who says he is an activist and private investigator, said the tests are admissible in court and the results cover a span of six months.
Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol said Pierce was pulled over around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Pierce was released on a PR bond and fined $1,025 for driving under the influence.
Pierce requested a jury trial for the case.
News13 called Lance Cpl. Collins to get his reaction to the test results on Friday afternoon, but he was unavailable for comment.
Pierce said that she was not under the influence of anything, but instead, was simply tired.
“I knew I was driving a little slow, so that’s why I parked to rest because I was a little sleepy,” she said, after the arrest.
In July, a judge continued a separate case against Pierce until a trial date could be set.
Pierce appeared in magistrate court to face four pending charges for resisting arrest, unlawful turning, trespassing, and public disorderly conduct. She entered a plea of not guilty on the charges.
Pierce was expected in court in Myrtle Beach for those charges the next morning, but that case was continued once again.
Pierce was arrested and charged with one count of hit and run and leaving the scene of an accident in April.
The Horry County Solicitor’s Office says the hit and run case is scheduled to be reviewed by a grand jury on Thursday, October 29th.
Reader Reactions
More about scarecrow 457. You say “Even if she was drug free [very doubtful] Her terrible driving skills and attitude require the taking of her license to drive. You are making excuses for persons unqualified to drive anything other than a tricycle”
Kudos, agreed, no argument from me. We have all seen her behavior on the new videos.
Where do you get that I am making excuses for her. I think some of you people must simply be too old or stupid to get me or anything I say. Let me say it again and again if necessary.
FOR ME THIS IS NOT ABOUT HER OR ATLANTIC BEACH OR SHOULD I SAY THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY MY CONCERN. LET ME SAY THAT I AM CONCERNED WITH DIRTY POLITICS, ABUSIVEPOWER, CONTROL, AND A POSSIBLE OR SOME WHAT CURUPTED OR FAULTY LEGAL SYSTEMS. WHY CANT A CERTAIN FEW OF YOU FOLLOW THE MESSAGE. I THOUGHT MY WORDS WERE PRETTY CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW. MAYBE IF I DID NOT HAVE TO SPELL EVERYTHING OUT AND REPEAT MY STATEMENTS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAS FOR SOME OF THE SLOWER PEOPLE OUT THERE THEN MY POST WOULD NOT END UP BEING TO PAGES. CALL ME A WIND BAG. THANKS A LOT.
Never in all my years have I ever seen such shameful corruption in Grand Strand politics. I have seen corrupt law enforcement in the past and have heard of several current cases and that is why we must always be vigilant and not just allow un-answered questions to go by. I am not accusing Highway patrol, but as a citizen I am calling for others to demand an explanation. Her blood that was tested by both agencies, was tested for almost everything that would cause impairment. I would hate to see these charges dropped and end up not answering the who, what, when , where, why, and how of what has occurred.
p.s. I also want to know about the Myrtle Beach Chamber money contributions and what is going on with Elmer Fudd, who just may have been ahead of his or her time. No further reports on a civil suit yet. What a surprise.
To Benny L. Webb, disgraced law enforcement agent:
I direct your attention to the “Report of Investigations” prepared by Horry County Police Detective R. E. Maxwell, which resulted in your turning yourself in to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center and a “Booking Report” being prepared on 11-16-01.
Det. Maxwell interviewed the Atlantic Beach Town Attorney, who was present when you assaulted former Town Manager William “Pete” Johnson at the Council Meeting.
“I contacted Wilbur Johnson the Atlantic Beach town attorney. He agreed to a taped interview about this case. Mr. Johnson stated that the council had an executive session about a town official improperly representing the town to the community. The Suspect [Benny L. Webb] was present in this executive session and had a hated [sic] discussion with [Council Memeber] Mrs. Lance. The Council went back into an open session and was attempting to pass a resolution concerning the items discussed in executive session. The Victim [William “Pete” Johnson] was talking out loud trying to make a point of order that the resolution was not on the agenda and was improper. Mr. [Wilbur] Johnson could not hear what all was being said but he heard a loud commotion. He looked back and saw the Suspect [Benny L. Webb] standing over the Victim [William “Pete” Johnson]. The Victim [William “Pete” Johnson] was lying sideways across several chairs and the Suspect [Benny L. Webb] had the Victim [William “Pete” Johnson] by the collar. The Suspect [Benny L. Webb] was stating, “I am tired of your sh[*]t.“ Mike Kelly started walking over to the Victim and Suspect, when the Suspect told him “Stay out of this.“ Mr. Kelly said he was going to call the police. The Town manager Carolyn Montgomery [now known as Carolyn Cole] walked over and placed her hand on the Suspect and said something to him. The Suspect released the Victim and Mr. [Wilbur] Johnson walked over to the Victim and asked if he was all right [sic]. Mr. [Wilbur] Johnson stated that he requested another executive session to discuss the Town liability with the incident the [sic] occurred. The Council agreed to let the Town Manager investigate the incident and report back to them with her findings.“
Town Attorney Wilbur Johnson’s remarks are what is known as “an admission against interest,“ that is, they admitted there was a liability issue for the Town, which he was representing.
Wilbur Johnson is believable
Benny L. Webb is not believable.
Benny L. Webb is a hothead whose emotions interfere with his judgment, and he has does not possess the temperament necessary to be a law enforcement officer.
He say, she say, they say…who cares people??!! If you have a comment, then by all means put it in here. But personal attacks, AND the responding defensive rebuttals are ridiculous. There are particular commentors that I feel are incapable of rational thinking, based on the idiotic ranting and negativity in every comment she (oops) posts!! I enjoy posting my various thoughts, and reading interesting comments by others on here, but good grief, not the same rhetoric from the same people.
BTW, MY GREAT BIG THANK YOU & A BIG HUG WAS FOR BENNY. FOR YOU NIGHTSHIFT, WHEN R U & MANY OTHERS GOING TO REALIZE THIS IS THE FACTS! THEY DO WHAT THEY WANT, TO WHO THEY WANT & WHEN THEY WANT TOO, AS LONG AS IT BENEFITS THEM!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU & THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TELLING THE TRUTH OF THE HONEST “OFFICIALS” AND THE “DISHONEST” IN OUR GOVERNMENT. I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN & SPOKE OF IT. BEING ONLY 38 YR OLD PROUD SINGLE MOTHER OF 1, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE 2009, HGTC JAN 2010 & IF THE GOOD LORD KEEPS ON HELPING ,E & GIVES ME THE STRENGTH & LIFE TO CONTINUE, I WILL! THE CROOKS WILL BE GONE, UNLESS BY THE TIME I SUCCEED FURTHER, THEY ALL TAKE OVER & I PRAY NOT!
To the resident of Alantic Beach that called me a “disgraced Agent” concerning my arrest of David Richardson and The bogus situation regarding Pete Johnson. I am posting on this comment line to tell the real story, set the record straight and to address some other issues. First of all, I did not assault Pete Johnson and, as a matter of fact, I did not even touch Johnson. Pete Johnson put on an emmy award performance when I went up to him to tell him to stop interrupting the Council Meeting on September 10, 2001. Johnson along with Irene Armstrong, Mike Kelly, David Richardson et al knew that if they could set me up, ( The same thing that is currently happening to Mayor Pierce)that they could get Former SLED Chief Robert Stewart to remove me as the Acting Chief of Atlantic Beach and to allow their return to using the town as a their personal playground, which I did not allow to happen during my tenure as acting Chief, so they needed me out of there by all means neccessary. Just for the record, I did not spend a second behind bars at J Rueben Long Detention Center, But If I had, I would not have been the first innocent person to go jail. Plus, there are still some decent officials in Horry County who know when someone has been set-up. Robert Stewart, who did all things political, knew that Irene Armstrong Alli and close confidant and boss was State Senator Dick Elliott who was on the Senate Judiciary Committee that voted on Stewart’s comfirmation as SLED’s Chief. Stewart did not have the courage or will to take on any powerful politicians and was more than happy to throw any of his agents under the bus to accomodate politically powerful and well connected people. In November of 2007, Robert Stewart left SLED abruptly without fanfare and no explanation. I have since found out the reasons why, but I will save that for another time. As far as David Richardson and Pete Johnson, the part of the story that Mike , Jackie ,or Paul( I could tell some serious personal stories about all three of them, but being the gentleman and peacemaker that I am, I won’t debase myself to that point) did not tell as a psuedo Atlantic Beach resident, is that David Richardson was convicted in less than 30 minutes for the arrest that I made on him for Disorderly Conduct-Pete Johnson case against me was dismissed after his Brother, then Magistrate Charles Johnson, tampered with my witnesses during the recess of the trial that I have no doubt that I would have been prevailed and be found not Guilty. Judge Johnson was sanctioned by the SC Supreme Court and subsequently removed from the bench. This happened despite Solicitor Greg Hembree, who unlawfully stamped Subpoenas in the Three Rivers Case, sending a magistrate court prosecutor and a general session court prosecutor to prosecute me on a trumped up misdameanor offense of simple assault. However when it was time to prosecute David Richardson, Hembree would not send anyone to prosecute Richardson. The Good people of Horry and Georgetown County must elect a Solicitor who believes in Justice and the Rule of Law when the next Election cycle comes around. Finally, here’s the record of a disgraced agent: ABC Agent of The Year Award, The PSLEOA Sumter Chapter Prestigious China-Guinyard Officer of The Year Award, Numerous other Citations, Awards and Commendations for Integrity, Hard work and Professionalism in Law Enforcement and Community Service,a MPA Degree, A Certified Master Mediator/Negotiator from Notre Dame University, An Adjunct Professor of Criminology, was not sued in 28 years of Law Enforcement Services or any Agency I was employed with as a result of me violating any ones civil or constitutional rights, and FULL State RETIREMENT Benefits for LIFE. I and the Palmetto Center for Law and Justice will continue being a voice and advocate for moderate low and low income people who are not powerful or politically connected whose constitutional, civil, employment, and human rights have been violated regardless of their race, creed , color, religious or political affliations, and we will do it with Integrity, Professionalism, Courage, and Fidelity whether the violator be a Politician, a Governmental Agency, a Private Entity or a Criminal Enterprise. Is it just me or have anyone else noticed that anytime someone with skills, abilities and comptency and integrity comes to Atlantic Beach to make it better, that they become a target of Certain Politicians, Government Agencies and the Criminal Enterprise. I am going to use all of my skills as a proud retired SLED Agent and A 28 year Police Officer to find out what it is about that piece of land that causes Politicians and Government Officials to disavow their oath of office and become Gustapos. If there are any Citizens who believe in Justice and the Rule of Law whose Civil or Constitutional rights have been violated, please contact the Palmetto Center for Law and Justice at 22 East Libertt Street, Sumter, SC or call the Center at (803) 774-0100. FEAR IS NOT AN OPTION.
Thanks and May GOD Bless You.
Benny L. Webb.
CEO/Executive Advocate and Private Investigator.
I am not an Attorney and I do not give legal advice. The Center has A SC Bar Certified Contract Attorney who handles all Legal Matters.
After reading reddogs comments I realize that I could have waited to make my comments and could have said less, but I believe that are public servants are, and should be accountable to the public. When I read that no one from H.P. was willing to make any comment on this story, I could not understand why. If it was in fact a good arrest then what was the harm in them publicly stating the so called facts. They seemed to have very little to say a few months back when it was discovered that several officers had suspended drivers licenses. That story quickly blew over and little more was said about it. I would like to think that regulating the actions of these officers is now back on track but I am not yet convinced. So I said what I said in hopes that there will be proper disclosure and that H.P. will be working hard to restore their public image and that one day soon, they will have the kind of integrity that they once had. Scarecrow refers to the testing as a “ so called drug test”. Let me just say that it is not that easy to set up or get accredited to do drug testing. It would be way beyond shameful if South Carolina were to allow just anyone to do drug testing. Some of you might be easily lead to believe that Quality Drug Screening would be willing to fake the test results or that somehow they are just not able to do a good job, but that would be ridicules. They are professionals and they would never risk their reputation by giving out false test results. They did test for opiates and several other drugs. I think that booth Highway Patrol and Quality Drug Screening should comment on this. I think that the news media is not about to actually go out in search of the truth. I believe that they only copy police reports or do stories that are handed to them. I can only hope that we will get the answers that we deserve. Is there a problem with Quality Drug testing or is there still a problem with Highway Patrol? It is imperative that we the people, get the answers to this question.
I would think there should be a video of
this arrest as all STATE PATROL CARS have video now.
Wow NIGHTSHIFT! I’m very surprised of you in your comments on this post & I agree with you that ugly white people(and I’m white) are trying to take over these little black folks town! It is dirty politics, bad police, government, etc Some people, like police etc are blind to what the see and/of what they want to see. Basically what’s good for them and/or to benefit for them.
Benny L. Webb is a disgraced law enforcement agent. He was removed as Atlantic Beach Police Chief by then SLED Chief Robert Stewart for two incidents of abusing citizens.
Appropriate that the press conference was held at the detention center, where Webb turned himself in on the charge of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature for an incident that occurred at an AB Council Meeting.
In the video, the other two accompanying the Mayor are convicted criminals. Patricia “Pat” Bellamy for the felony crime of forgery and also shoplifting and Windy Price for fraudulent check.
A perp lineup!
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