Lexington, SC 12/10/2021 (Paul Kirby) - A 21-year-old Swansea man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison following his conviction by a Lexington County jury for Armed Robbery and Possession of a Weapon during commission of a Violent Crime. According to Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, Tra’Vion M. Hampton was convicted this week in Lexington County General Sessions Court.
Circuit Court Judge Debra R. McCaslin imposed the 18-year sentence on the Armed Robbery charge, and he also received 5 years that he will serve concurrently on the weapon charge. Under South Carolina law, Armed Robbery is classified as a violent crime and Hampton is not eligible for parole.
On the afternoon of August 23, 2019, investigators established that Hampton entered the Tiger Mart convenience store on South Church Street in Swansea while armed with a handgun. He the approached and climbed over the counter while pointing the firearm at two employees. Witnesses testified that Hampton demanded money from the register and was given cash from the drawer. He then fled the scene on foot.
Officers from the Swansea Police Department, Pelion Police Department, and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded quickly and set up a perimeter. K9 units also responded in an effort to apprehend the suspect.
Surveillance video from the store was instrumental in leading to the identification of the armed suspect as Hampton. Witnesses were able to make a positive identification based on their familiarity with Hampton. Officers later recovered shoes from Hampton’s residence which were consistent in color and design with the shoes worn by the suspect in the surveillance video.
This case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Kelly Oppenheimer and Senior Assistant Solicitor Angela Garrick Martin for the Solicitor’s Office.
Following the verdict, Assistant Solicitor Kelly Oppenheimer stated: “this verdict sends a message that violent crimes committed in our community will have serious ramifications.”
Hampton will now be transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of the sentence.
