Laurens sheriff’s captain fired after arrest

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — A Laurens County sheriff’s captain has been fired after he was arrested in Greenville County on charges of assault and loitering to engage in sexual activity.

Greenville County sheriff’s Lt. Michael Hildebrand says deputies were working undercover Friday night when an officer was approached by a man. Hildebrand says during a conversation in the suspect’s vehicle, the man is accused of grabbing the undercover deputy in an inappropriate manner.

Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Henry Thomason of Gray Court was then arrested.

Laurens County sheriff’s Lt. Judy Stiles says Thomason was fired Saturday. He had been with the department since 1999.

Stiles says Thomason was in the vehicle he uses the sheriff’s office when he was arrested.

It wasn’t clear if Thomason has an attorney.