Greenwood County, S.C. – A longtime law‑enforcement officer with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) was taken into custody this past weekend, according to booking records obtained by FITSNews. The records show that Joshua “Josh” Hood, 42, was booked at the Abbeville County Detention Center either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
Details of the arrest
Public court indexes for Greenwood County do not yet list a record of Hood’s arrest or any subsequent charge. Multiple sources familiar with Upstate South Carolina law‑enforcement say the incident involved Hood and his estranged wife and may have taken place on property owned by the estranged wife’s parents.
The clerk to the Abbeville County court told FITSNews via email that the arrest was carried out by “the city of Abbeville, not the county.” When FITSNews reached out to Abbeville Police Chief Nick Moore for confirmation, the chief responded by directing the outlet to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to one of his captains, offering no direct comment on the matter.
GCSO response and background
As of publication, GCSO has not provided a comment on the arrest, and Sheriff Dennis Kelly has not responded to direct inquiries. The only response from the department came from Captain Hood himself, who declined to answer questions when contacted on Tuesday morning.
Despite the lack of an official statement, Hood’s name remains listed on the Greenwood County staff directory and on the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association website, indicating he is still identified as a captain within the agency.
Hood’s career in law enforcement spans more than two decades. According to his LinkedIn profile, he began as a police officer for the city of Laurens before joining the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office in 2007. He rose through the ranks over twelve years, attaining the rank of captain in 2019. In early 2022, he was appointed the department’s public information officer, a role that typically handles media inquiries and serves as the primary point of contact with the press.
Context within the department
This incident marks the second arrest of a GCSO deputy this year. In March, state agents charged former deputy Mark “Grayson” Davis with methamphetamine distribution and related misconduct. Both arrests occurred under the leadership of Sheriff Kelly, who has headed the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office since 2016.
The developments have raised questions among local residents about the department’s internal oversight and transparency. While the sheriff’s office has not released a formal statement, community members are watching closely for any updates regarding potential disciplinary action or changes in departmental policy.
Next steps
FITSNews has filed a Freedom of Information Act request for additional records related to the arrest. The outlet will continue to monitor court filings and any statements from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Abbeville Police Department, and the involved parties.
Readers with further information or comments are encouraged to contact the newsroom.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
