Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – Sam Jackson, Jr. of Pelion faced another bond hearing held at the Lexington County Detention Center Wednesday afternoon. At the hearing, the judge denied Jackson bond on eight charges saying that it was his belief that Jackson was a flight risk.
When suspicion originally surfaced about Jackson in a business he managed for his employer, Jackson fled the state with a woman who wasn't his wife and tried to evade arrest by turning off his cell phone. He was arrested in North Carolina after a law enforcement officer ran his vehicle’s tag and found that Jackson was listed as wanted in South Carolina.
Jackson had been a prominent businessman in Pelion. At one time, he had served on the town’s council and was the co-owner of a large farm that grew fresh produce. He was also a member of the senior management of another business. On the farm, he and his brother, the co-owner of the operation, sold farm fresh produce in many stores in South Carolina including several local supermarkets. Somehow, he orchestrated a scheme to steal a large sum of money from the other business he worked for. He told an investigator that he planned to leave the state with a female companion and disappear by, “Living off the grid.” The day of his first bond hearing, he was served with divorce papers by his wife of many years, another victim of his misdeeds. It is also important to note that Jackson’s brother, who was his partner in the farming operation, has not been accused of anything and was not involved in the conspiracy in any way. He was not involved in the other business Jackson stole from. He has always been a respected member of the community as is Jackson's entire family.
Jackson has been in jail now for some time. At his first bond hearing on charges of financial card transaction fraud, the judge granted Jackson an opportunity to post a surety bond of $15,000. He could not post that and has been sitting in the detention center since that hearing.
Wednesday, the hearing was regarding additional charges that Jackson had embezzled a large sum from his former employer. He apparently did so through forgery and obtaining a signature under false pretenses. He has his first court date set for April of this year. Additional charges may be pending. Until then, he will stay in jail.
