Sumter man arrested after allegedly attempting to evade deputy, found with firearm

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A Sumter man who attempted to evade a deputy was found to be a felon in possession of a firearm, says SCSO.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy on patrol attempted to stop a vehicle after the driver made a pass by crossing the double yellow line on Boulevard Road on Friday night, May 24, around 10:50 p.m.

During the attempted stop the sheriff’s office says Maleeke Antione Myers accelerated his speed to attempt to evade law enforcement.

Myers turned and then accelerated again before stopping at a residence on Rolling Creek Drive.

Once stopped, the driver and the passenger of the vehicle quickly exited the vehicle and turned to flee but when they heard the commands from the Sumter County deputy to stop and get on the ground, they complied, says the sheriff’s office.

Investigators say they discovered that Myers was driving under suspension and had an open bench warrant from Sumter County.

Also, investigators say Myers told the deputy that he had marijuana in the vehicle along with a firearm.

During a search of the vehicle, the deputy says a firearm, additional magazines for the gun, a large amount of marijuana, a digital scale, and clear plastic bags consistent with the distribution of marijuana were recovered.

Myers’ passenger, Fredrick Woods, was issued a citation for having alcohol in the vehicle with a broken seal and released. Myers claimed ownership of all the narcotics and weapons found in the vehicle.

Myers is being charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, failure to stop for blue lights and driving under suspension.

He was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and is being held on a $105,000 bond and has unresolved hold reasons that do not allow bonding out, says the sheriff’s office.