Undisclosed incidents at Alvin S. Glenn lead to multiple guards arrested, inmates charged

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — An ongoing investigation into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention center has led to multiple guards being arrested and additional charges for inmates.

Speaking with media Tuesday afternoon, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott says the investigation began when the sexual assault of one inmate, and the overdose of another — went unreported to the sheriff’s department.

“It’s a dangerous place….It’s a dangerous place,” he says.

Twenty-four-year-old Michael Simmons has since been charged with the sexual misconduct of an inmate on April 2nd. He says a released inmate came to the sheriff’s department to report the incident.

Lott says 65-year-old inmate Keith Bagley overdosed on a drug known as K-2 or “spice” on April 7th.

According to Alvin S. Glenn’s policy, Lott says Bagley’s death should have been reported to RCSD by the jail’s Director of Compliance and Safety, James Lipscomb. But instead, the department found out from the Richland County Coroner’s Office, who was contacted by a local hospital.

Lipscomb is now under arrest for instructing his staff to not report the overdose.

“I can’t describe why he did such a thing, but he did, so he is charged and will be held accountable for that,” says Lott.

In all, 62 cases involving sexual assault, assault, contraband, riots, and vandalism were kept hidden from the sheriff’s department since December of 2025 — including crimes committed by…and against guards — leading to the arrests of seven jail guards, and additional charges for 17 inmates.

Lott says Alvin S. Glenn turned the 62 cases over to RCSD on April 14th.

“I think it’s important that the community knows that this is actions that we’re taking that when people are incarcerated at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, that at least the sheriff is gonna do everything he can to protect them. Hold them accountable but also protect them, and that’s those who work there and those who are committed there,” he says.

Further details and possible arrests are expected to come out of the ongoing investigation.