SC deputy charged after killing unarmed suspect. His police dog also mauled a homeowner

A former Florence County Sheriff’s deputy accused of fatally shooting a speeding driver and whose police dog mauled an innocent civilian has been charged with manslaughter, according to the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division.

Florence County deputy Treyvon Jonathan Sellers, 29, was charged Wednesday with voluntary manslaughter, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and misconduct in office, according to a SLED press release, affidavits and warrants in the case.

Sellers is in custody at the Florence County Detention Center and being held, according to the jail’s web site on Thursday morning. No bond has been set for him.

The events that led to Wednesday’s charges took place on May 26 and began with a high speed pursuit several miles east of Florence by Sellers of a fleeing driver identified as Dewayne Rankin, according to SLED.

After four minutes, Rankin’s vehicle struck a tree in front of a residence. Rankin jumped out and ran inside, followed quickly by Sellers and his unleashed police dog, Ikar. The dog quickly “apprehended” the homeowner and began “actively mauling” him, according to warrants.

Then, “Sellers encountered Rankin, who was unarmed and lying on a couch... (and) discharged his department-issued handgun five times, unlawfully killing Rankin...,” a warrant charging Sellers with voluntary manslaughter said.

Another warrant, charging Sellers with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, said the deputy took Ikar off his leash without knowing who might be in the house and gave him the “apprehend command” with “reckless disregard to .... the risk of great bodily injury to another person.”

“Sellers gave K9 Ikar incorrect commands and did not use available resources to remove K9 Ikar,” the warrant said, adding the dog mauled the homeowner for 87 seconds. The homeowner sustained “permanent disfigurement to his left arm and left shoulder,” the warrant said. The entire incident was recorded on video, the warrant said.

The case will be prosecuted by the S.C. Attorney General’s office, a SLED press release said.

Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye released a statement that said, “I have been as candid and transparent as I know how, and I have expressed my deep regret and sorrow over this incident.” Joye requested the SLED investigation after the May 26 incident, a SLED press release said.

This is a breaking news story and may be updated.