A former Town of Kingstree Public Works employee and three others are accused of using town fuel cards and an employee’s identification number to obtain approximately $10,000 worth of fuel, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
SLED charged Lakilyis Jawara Ceasar, 24, on Monday with embezzlement of public funds valued at $10,000 or more and criminal conspiracy.
Shamir Cheatique Bradley, 24; Davonte Antwan Green, 23; and Tyhiem Da’Shawn Malik Hopkins, 24, were each charged Friday with criminal conspiracy.
According to arrest warrants, Ceasar obtained WEX fuel cards belonging to the Town of Kingstree and a personal identification number assigned to another Kingstree Public Works employee. Investigators allege the four used the cards and PIN to purchase fuel from April through June, both during Ceasar’s employment with the town and after his employment ended.
One alleged transaction occurred June 5 at George’s Truck Stop, 1577 Eastland Ave. in Kingstree. Green, acting at the direction of a co-defendant, allegedly used one of the cards and the employee’s PIN to put $167.19 worth of fuel into multiple vehicles, according to his warrant.
The allegations are supported by digital evidence and statements provided by the defendants, co-defendants and the town, the warrants state.
The Town of Kingstree requested the SLED investigation.
All four defendants were booked into the Williamsburg County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
