$2.8 Million lawsuit filed against Hartsville City, Police Department

Joshua H. Jordan.

By Stephan Drew, Editor

editor@newsandpress.net

A McBee resident, Joshua H. Jordan, filed a lawsuit on December 31, 2024, against the City of Hartsville, the Hartsville Police Department, City Manager Daniel Moore, Police Chief Byron Snellgrove, and several current or former officers of the department. The lawsuit alleges a series of civil rights violations, including illegal searches, false arrests, perjury, and defamation, spanning from late 2023 to 2024. Mr. Jordan has not engaged an attorney and is representing himself.

Jordan’s complaint, filed in Darlington County, accuses the defendants of infringing on rights guaranteed under the South Carolina Constitution. He seeks $2,788,500 in damages for unlawful imprisonment, slander, libel, defamation of character, economic losses, and legal expenses.

Mr. Jordan sat down with the News & Press for an hour-long interview the day he filed the lawsuit.

Jordan said he believes the activity started before 2023, when Police Officer Robert Lee II, who Jordan said was a state trooper at the time, arrested Mr. Jordan on private property. Jordan states that case was later dismissed and that, in frustration, Officer Lee has been harassing him continuously, even while driving on the road, ever since. Jordan stated that he believes Officer Lee asked Officer Glenn to set up the September traffic stop in order to harass Jordan.

According to court documents, Jordan alleges the following incidents:

• Illegal Search (September 19, 2024): During a traffic stop conducted by Officer Alexander Glenn, Jordan claims his toolbox was searched without proper authorization, violating his constitutional rights.

• Unlawful Arrest (March 8, 2024): Jordan alleges that Sergeant Sean Peruzzi arrested him for crimes he did not commit, based solely on hearsay evidence. He claims this incident resulted in defamation, unlawful imprisonment, and financial loss.

• Kidnapping Charge and Forged Evidence (May 2, 2024): Jordan contends that Officers Cara Spaziani and Michael Stokes wrongfully charged him with kidnapping, relying on fabricated evidence. He alleges that Officer Spaziani forged a victim’s signature on a form and executed an unlawful search of his residence, causing property damage and further defamation. Jordan states that this incident led to over 180 days of imprisonment.

• Perjury (June 27 and August 28, 2024): Jordan accuses Officers Robert Lee II and Riley Free of committing perjury during court proceedings, contributing to what he describes as oppression and defamation.

• Slander Against Family (August 1–12, 2024): Jordan alleges that an officer approached his mother and brother with false accusations of his involvement in drug distribution. Jordan denies any connection to narcotics, calling the statements baseless and defamatory. 

Jordan claims he made multiple attempts to resolve his grievances with city officials and the police department, including emails, certified letters, and personal visits to City Manager Daniel Moore’s office. “I’ve tried to resolve this again and again,” Jordan said, “and, they never got back in touch with me.” He alleges that Moore and Chief Snellgrove were unresponsive, failing to address his complaints or provide requested documents, including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and court transcripts.

Jordan stated that, during his 6 months incarcerated, his business went under due to his absence and that he has completely lost his livelihood. Jordan stated that, on November 25, 2024, he contacted the Hartsville Police Department requesting a meeting with Chief Snellgrove. He alleges that his call was not returned and that no effort was made to resolve his concerns. “I want them to admit what they did was wrong,” Jordan said, “and, it needs to be corrected.”

Additionally, Jordan states that former Darlington County Sheriff James Hudson and Chief Deputy David Young notified Chief Snellgrove about officers’ alleged perjury. However, he asserts that no action was taken.

Jordan’s lawsuit seeks a jury trial and includes Compensatory Damages, Punitive Damages, Economic Damages, and Legal Expenses, for a total of $2,788,500. The lawsuit makes serious allegations of misconduct within the Hartsville Police Department and raises some questions about accountability and oversight. 

The News & Press obtained a series of Incident Reports through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, detailing numerous interactions between Joshua Jordan and law enforcement over the past several years. These reports reveal a series of incidents involving traffic violations, substance possession, domestic disputes, and other alleged criminal activity.

August 10, 2022

Officer Robert Lee II conducted a traffic stop on Jasper Avenue after observing a Chevrolet pickup truck without a license plate. The driver, later identified as Joshua Jordan, was found to have an expired driver’s license. During a vehicle search, a rolled marijuana joint was discovered in a cigarette pack. Both Jordan and another individual who arrived to pick him up—whose license was also suspended—were arrested.

September 19, 2023

Officer Alexander Green reported that Jordan was driving a white truck with a suspended license plate and failed to use a turn signal. Jordan was described as apprehensive during the stop and unable to provide vehicle registration. Dispatch confirmed that Jordan’s license was suspended for multiple unpaid traffic tickets and a cancellation of insurance. Jordan was arrested, and a hold was placed due to an active bench warrant from Chesterfield County.

January 23, 2024

Officer Carl Hatley stopped Jordan after observing erratic behavior at a traffic light. Jordan exhibited signs of intoxication, including dilated pupils and unsteadiness. A cold, half-full can of beer was found within reach inside his vehicle. Jordan refused field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer, leading to charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving Under Suspension (DUS) Second Degree, and Open Container possession.

March 8, 2024

Jordan was involved in two separate incidents. Officer Sean Peruzzi responded to a dispute regarding a damaged water meter at Jordan’s residence. The utilities crew claimed the pipe appeared intentionally cut. Later that day, Officer Robert Lee II arrested Jordan for driving with a suspended license and confirmed two active warrants.

March 13, 2024

Officer John Specht conducted a traffic stop on Jordan’s white Dodge Ram, which displayed a suspended license plate. Jordan was cited for driving under suspension, and his license plate was confiscated pending resolution.

May 2, 2024

Jordan was served a warrant for Obtaining Goods Under False Pretense exceeding $2,000. Officers reported that Jordan initially refused to cooperate, prompting the deployment of CS smoke. He eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.

May 18, 2024

Officer Riley Free responded to a domestic dispute at Jordan’s residence. A female at the scene exhibited visible injuries, including a swollen lip and bruises. She alleged that Jordan had assaulted and choked her, threatening to kill her. She was transported for medical treatment. Jordan was arrested on charges of Domestic Violence.

The News & Press was able to sit down with Hartsville Police Chief Byron Snellgrove who said that he was aware of the lawsuit. However, citing the pending litigation, Chief Snellgrove declined to elaborate on specific details regarding his knowledge of Mr. Jordan or past incidents with law enforcement.

The Chief was able to discuss a situation on May 2nd, where a Sheriff’s Department warrant service escalated into a tense standoff involving their US Marshal Task Force Officer. According to Chief Snellgrove, the suspect, identified as Jordan, refused to allow his girlfriend to leave the house and also refused to come out, resulting in a barricaded situation with potential hostage implications. The Sheriff’s Department SWAT team was called to the scene to assist, and despite hours of negotiations, Jordan remained uncooperative.

In response to the stalemate, officers deployed CS gas to force Jordan out of the residence. Chief Snellgrove noted that their team worked in coordination with the Sheriff’s office to manage the standoff and ensure the situation was resolved. Following his apprehension, appropriate charges were filed against Jordan, including kidnapping, for his actions during the incident.

When asked about the accusations and the department’s practices, Chief Snellgrove expressed his unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of the Hartsville Police Department. “Our police officers operate properly and professionally with each individual incidence,” Snellgrove stated. “We are aggressive in following the law and ensuring public safety.”

Chief Snellgrove emphasized the department’s commitment to addressing all types of crime, including violence, stolen goods, traffic violations, and domestic disputes. He noted that two-officer responses are often necessary in situations involving violence or dangerous circumstances to ensure the safety of all parties involved.

“Our department is proactive within the community,” Snellgrove said, “Hartsville is a small town with a big town feel,” underscoring the importance of professionalism in every interaction. “Every encounter is unique, but we handle each situation in a professional manner. We always want to do the right thing for the right reason.”

The Chief also reiterated his personal philosophy guiding the department: “Treat others as you want to be treated in the same situation.”

The News & Press will publish updates as the lawsuit progresses.

Author: Stephan Drew

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