Florence County, South Carolina – A targeted law enforcement push around West Lucas Street, Interstate 95 and TV Road in Florence led to multiple arrests Wednesday as the Florence County Sheriff’s Office continued its crackdown on areas officials say have placed a heavy strain on public safety resources.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, the operation was carried out May 20, 2026 and brought together several teams of deputies with support from FCSO Aviation, K-9 and SWAT units. Authorities focused on the business area near Lucas Street and I-95, along with the TV Road corridor, as part of Sheriff TJ Joye’s broader effort to respond to nuisance properties and criminal activity connected to them.
The enforcement action followed an April 21, 2026, ruling by the Florence County Court of Common Pleas, which declared the Baymont Inn & Suites on West Lucas Street a public nuisance. The court also granted a temporary injunction barring the property owners from continuing operations.
Sheriff Joye said the latest operation was meant to send a clear message to locations where repeated criminal activity has affected nearby residents and businesses.
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“This area has become a haven for illegal narcotics, violent crime, and a significant drain on public safety resources. We remain committed to supporting the citizens of Florence County and the businesses that are doing the right thing to promote a safe environment. Let our presence today speak for itself, because we’re not done yet. This serves as notice to other problem areas throughout our county: if you continue to allow behavior harmful to our citizens, we will continue targeted enforcement efforts until these areas are safe for our community,” Joye stated.
During the execution of a narcotics search warrant at the Florence Express Inn on TV Road, deputies seized illegal narcotics and a firearm. Three men were arrested and booked into the Florence County Detention Center while awaiting bond hearings.
Antonio Demetrice Hemingway, 36, of Marion, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
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Kionne Delonte Echols, 41, of Florence, faces several charges, including two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, third offense; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, second offense; possession with intent to distribute crack; and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of possession with intent to distribute.
Rontrell Benjamin, 37, of Timmonsville, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, second offense; possession with intent to distribute crack; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Additional information on the arrests is available through the FCSO Booking Website.
Deputies also arrested two people on panhandling charges. Both were later released on personal recognizance bonds.
