Woman arrested at State House after jumping fence around monument

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – A North Carolina woman has been charged with defacing a monument and carrying a deadly weapon on capitol grounds. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Bureau of Protective Services says it arrested 45-year-old Melissa High Friday, July 3rd. Just before midnight, they say a woman walked up to the fence surrounding the confederate flag carrying a large poster board. The woman was preparing to tape her poster board to the fence. The poster contained references to a biblical passage and the Pledge of Allegiance. BPS officers say they advised the woman that she could not affix anything to the fence or the monument. Moments later, the woman climbed over the fence surrounding the monument and was arrested without incident. After the arrest, a fixed-blade knife, measuring fifteen inches long, was found in one of High’s bags. She was taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia and has been charged with defacing a monument (section 10-11-315) and carrying of a dangerous weapon upon capitol grounds (section 10-11-320). High is from Whitsett, N.C. SECTION 10″‘11″‘315. Defacing monuments on capitol grounds; penalty. It is unlawful for a person to willfully and maliciously deface, vandalize, damage, or destroy or attempt to deface, vandalize, damage, or destroy any monument, flag, flag support, memorial, fence, or structure located on the capitol grounds and a person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished pursuant to the provisions of Section 10″‘11″‘360. 10-11-360. A person who violates the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. SECTION 10-11-320. Carrying or discharging firearm; exception for concealable weapons’ permit holder. (A) It is unlawful for any person or group of persons to: (1) carry or have readily accessible to the person upon the capitol grounds or within the capitol building any firearm or dangerous weapon; or (2) discharge any firearm or to use any dangerous weapon upon the capitol grounds or within the capitol building. (B) This section does not apply to a person who possesses a concealable weapons’ permit pursuant to Article 4, Chapter 31, Title 23 and is authorized to park on the capitol grounds or in the parking garage below the capitol grounds. The firearm must remain locked in the person’s vehicle while on or below the capitol grounds and must be stored in a place in the vehicle that is not readily accessible to any person upon entry to or below the capitol grounds. HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 1-425.1; 1969 (56) 311; 2000 Act No. 237, Section 1; 2008 Act No. 337, Section 3.