Store employees charged for alleged wildlife offenses

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Residents stopping in at Lane's on S.C. 260 on Monday were greeted by locked doors after the state Department of Natural Resources arrested several individuals for alleged offenses against state laws pertaining to wildlife. "The warrants are the result of an investigation that has been ongoing over the past year," said Capt. Robert McCullough, a DNR spokesman. "The agency will now await a court date." Those charged include Toi Phan with two counts of purchase of unlawful alligator, five counts of purchase of venison and three counts of criminal conspiracy; Mingh Phan with two counts each of purchase of unlawful alligator and criminal conspiracy; Chi Phan with one count each of purchase of unlawful alligator and criminal conspiracy; and Joseph Miller with one count of purchase of venison and four counts of criminal conspiracy. Citing an ongoing investigation, McCullough declined to provide any further information. He did say that DNR did not "close the store" itself after the arrests. Toi Phan posed a $7,000 surety bond Tuesday morning to gain release from the Clarendon County Detention Center, while Joseph Miller post a $4,500 surety bond Tuesday as well. Chi Phan posted a $1,500 cash bond on Monday. No bond has yet been set for Mingh Phan.