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July 06, 2008
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S.C. SWAT team used to enhance manpower for search
By Pearce Adams
Anderson Independent-Mail
ANDERSON, S.C. — Two days after two Anderson residents were fined for not being licensed to run a business stocked with 276 containers of beer and 57 bottles of liquor, an Anderson police official said the report of SWAT involvement was misleading.
Randall Williams, spokesman for the city police, said Wednesday that members of the SWAT team did participate in a search warrant June 25 on South Fant Street, but the team members were only there to provide manpower and were not involved in a "tactical operation." "It was due to the number of people at the house" and done to alleviate additional demands on patrol officers, said Williams, who was unable to confirm the attire of team members or the nature of their weapons. With only one eye, James Brownlee, 63, staggered his way Monday before Anderson Municipal Court Judge Hugh Welborn, complaining of a broken collarbone. Officer Lester Culbertson testified that a SWAT team was present when Brownlee and Amy Mattison were arrested following a search warrant June 25 on South Fant Street. "They had shotguns in my face," said Brownlee, denying that he was selling alcohol without a license. "They threw me on the floor. Kicked me in the shoulder." Williams said it's standard procedure to order people to the ground. "If there's a search warrant, it's normal to secure occupants until the residence is cleared" of any potential threat, he said. Brownlee was taken to AnMed Health Medical Center for treatment of a small cut above his left eye and a scratch to his cheek, the report states. There was no reference to any other injury. According to the incident report, police found 11 bottles of Wild Irish Rose, 6 bottles of E&J Brandy, 21 bottles of Distillers Pride Whiskey, 19 bottles of Seagrams Extra Dry Gin, 26 bottles of King Cobra Malt Liquor, 72 cans of Budweiser beer, 62 cans of Natural Light Beer and 116 cans of Bud Light Beer. Police also found $6,000, a .410-gauge shotgun, a .38-caliber pistol and a .22-caliber pistol, according to the report and courtroom testimony. Both Brownlee and Mattison pleaded guilty to operating a business without a license. Each was ordered to pay a fine of $1,087.50 or serve 30 days in jail. Copyright 2008 Independent Publishing Company
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