Clifford Jacob Ricketts
(Walhalla, SC)————————————–Investigators from the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office have charged an Oconee man with Trafficking in Methamphetamine after a pursuit Wednesday near the Earles Grove Community.
27 year old Clifford Jacob Ricketts, who has listed addresses in Seneca and West Union, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center around 8:59pm Wednesday. In relation to Wednesday’s arrest, Ricketts has also been one count each of Failure to stop for a Blue Light and Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime.
Investigators were in the southern part of the county Wednesday in relation to follow-ups on unrelated investigations. Investigators had received a tip that Ricketts, who had eleven outstanding arrest warrants from the Sheriff’s Office from a separate incident, and six General Sessions Bench Warrants, may be in the area working on a black Camaro.
Investigators observed a Camaro, matching a description of the vehicle in question, in the area of Smith Dairy Road near Cottontail Drive. Investigators attempted a traffic stop but Ricketts, who was the driver, failed to obey officer commands and did not pull over.
Ricketts drove off of Earles Grove Road and down an unpaved road. The Camaro became stuck in the mud and Investigators took Ricketts into custody.
Before the vehicle was towed away, Investigators conducted an inventory on the vehicle. Inside of the vehicle, Investigators discovered Methamphetamine and Marijuana inside. Two firearms were also discovered as well as approximately $315.00 dollars in cash.
Based on evidence that was obtained during the investigation, Investigators seized approximately 198 grams of Methamphetamine.
The eleven outstanding arrest warrants against Ricketts stem from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of November 4th of this year in which an Uniform Patrol deputy attempted to pull over a white 2007 Mercedes Benz for a traffic violation. Ricketts, who was the driver of the Mercedes, failed to pull over, which initiated a pursuit beginning on Rock Crusher Road and Duck Pond Road. The pursuit concluded when the deputy lost sight of the vehicle on Armstrong Road at S Highway 11.
In relation to the November 4th incident, Ricketts was charged with six counts of Disregarding a Stop Sign and one count each of being a Habitual Traffic Offender, Failure to stop for a Blue Light, Driving under Suspension, Reckless Driving and Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road.
At this time, Ricketts remains in jail as bond was denied on the three charges related to Wednesday’s arrest. Ricketts will appear before a Circuit Court Judge, at a later time, regarding his bond on those charges.
Ricketts was given a combined $30,230.00 surety bond on the Sheriff’s Office charges related to the November 4th pursuit.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.
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