Media Release

On February 18, 2017, Deputies with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service from the Laurens County Humane Society in reference to deceased dogs being located at 3940 Springdale Road, Clinton, SC. Upon the Deputy’s arrival at this location, he walked to the back yard of this residence and observed two dead dogs inside separate dog houses. The deputy stated in his incident report that the dogs appeared to have been dead for at least 1 or more months based on the decomposition of the animals. After observing the deceased animals, the deputy then spoke with a male who he identified as Markevious Simpson. Simpson provided information to the deputy that he moved to the residence 2 weeks prior to our arrival and he was there to help care for his ill grandmother. Simpsons also stated that he did not know that there were two deceased dogs in the back yard. He then told the deputy that his grandmother had a German Shepard but neither he nor the deputy observed the dog at the residence during this time.

On February 23, 2017, Investigators with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office returned to the residence to speak with the home owner of this residence. Upon their arrival, they again spoke with Markevious Simpson. At this time, Simpson admitted to officers that the two dead dogs actually belonged to him. Simpson then escorted investigators to a wooded area where he discarded the remains. While investigating this case, Investigators learned that Laurens County Animal Control Officers had went to the residence on February 20, 2017 and February 21, 2017 and observed the deceased animals. The responding Animal Control Officers stated to investigators that they did not pick up deceased animals but returned on today’s date to pick them up because of the uproar on social media. (3) Warrants for Ill Treatment of Animals were obtained, and (1) warrant was obtained for Providing False Information to a Police Officer. Markevious Simpson was placed under arrest and transported to the Laurens County Detention Center. His bond was set at $5000.00 cash/or surety each for the Ill Treatment of Animals warrants and a cash/ or surety bond of $475.00 was set for Providing False Information to a Police Officer. At the time of this release, Markevious Simpson remains in the Laurens County Detention Center.