State authorities investigate Clover police officer

CLOVER, S.C. — A Clover police officer is on unpaid administrative leave and is being investigated for misconduct in an investigation stemming from an incident at the York County jail this month.

Family members of the other man involved said they met with a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agent

Antonio McCray claims he was assaulted by a Clover police officer inside the York county jail last week, but it wasn't the 20-year old who reported the incident.

Channel 9 uncovered someone from within law enforcement accused the officer of misconduct, sparking a SLED investigation.

“I didn't expect any officer to step up and saying anything actually,” McCray said.

He's been arrested by the officer in the past, and was taken into custody by him last week because he had missed a court appearance.

“A warrant out for missing a court," McCray said.

He and the officer exchanged words on the way to jail, but it was inside the booking area where things escalated.

“He grabbed me by my hoodie and slung me across the room,” McCray said. “I landed on my shoulder and my head."

McCray said days later he was contacted by a SLED investigator.

He has a statement he gave investigators after he, his mother and community activist John Barnett met with the agent.

"I'm enraged," Yelanda McCray said after finding out about the alleged incident.
"That's the only word I can give."

Channel 9 contacted the Clover police chief about the allegations.

The chief said he couldn’t go into detail about what exactly the officer is accused of doing, but confirmed there is video from the jail, it was reported from within law enforcement and the officer is currently on unpaid leave as SLED investigates.

“I had a warrant and everything but there's no reason to be treated like that,” McCray said.

Police records show McCray was eventually booked into the jail Feb. 8 on two charges, including making threats, as well for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana.

McCray’s claim that the warrant he was arrested for stemmed from two traffic citations and violation of city ordinance (unlawful weapon) charge. Records support that claim.

Channel 9 reached out to SLED for comment but has not yet heard back.

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