A Virginia man who held a woman hostage during a violent hours-long standoff in Clarendon County in 2023 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to a series of felony charges, according to the Third Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Ronald Ray Broadnax, of Virginia, pleaded guilty Nov. 17 before Circuit Judge Ferrell Cothran Jr. to first-degree burglary, kidnapping, second-degree arson, first-degree assault and battery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The charges stem from a March 9, 2023, incident in the Alcolu community in which Broadnax barricaded himself inside a home with a woman and exchanged gunfire with deputies.
Deputies were dispatched at 12:41 p.m. on March 9 after a woman reported a break-in at a home on Spigner Road. Dispatchers said the caller suddenly stopped speaking directly to them, though they could hear her talking to a man in the background. Deputies arrived within minutes, and at least six officers were on scene by 12:48 p.m.
As additional units arrived, deputies found a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse in a ditch about a quarter-mile away on Green Hill Church Road. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Richmond, Virginia, and was believed to be connected to a homicide investigation there. Richmond detectives later confirmed Broadnax as a person of interest in that case.
Deputies preparing to enter the home saw the front door suddenly slam shut and the blinds pull closed. They attempted to communicate with the suspect using PA systems and sirens, and dispatch relayed that the woman reported the man had a handgun. Multiple gunshots were then heard from inside the home. A five-man entry team breached the front door and cleared all rooms except a rear bedroom, where Broadnax had barricaded himself with the woman. Verbal communication was established, and he identified himself.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s SWAT team was called to assist, along with Clarendon County Fire Rescue for medical support. Spigner Road was closed, and the perimeter was expanded as more gunshots came from the bedroom. Deputies maintained communication with both Broadnax and the hostage while awaiting specialized units. A LifeNet helicopter staged nearby in preparation for any medical emergency.
After Broadnax requested a cell phone in exchange for releasing the woman, the hostage climbed out a bedroom window around 4:20 p.m. and was escorted to an ambulance. Minutes later, officers heard a smoke alarm inside the home and saw flames coming from the bedroom. Deputies and SLED SWAT personnel used a fire engine to contain the blaze, which authorities said Broadnax intentionally set.
Tear gas was deployed as officers attempted to persuade Broadnax to surrender, but he refused. A SLED K-9 was deployed and extracted him from the home, allowing officers to take him into custody. Broadnax was treated on scene for injuries from the dog bite, then transported to McLeod Florence Medical Center. After his hospital discharge on March 16, he was formally arrested and denied bond on multiple charges, including kidnapping, burglary, arson, attempted murder, assault and battery, discharging a weapon inside a dwelling and weapons offenses. He was held at regional detention centers while awaiting prosecution.
Under the plea agreement, Broadnax received 50 years for first-degree burglary, 30 years for kidnapping, 20 years for second-degree arson, 10 years for first-degree assault and battery and five years for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. All sentences will run concurrently.
Third Judicial Circuit Solicitor Ernest Finney III thanked Assistant Solicitor Darla Pierce, the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Tim Baxley, SLED, Clarendon County Fire Rescue, EOC/Dispatch, LifeNet, Sumter Police, Virginia law enforcement and the Clarendon County community for their support during what he called a “violent and dangerous situation.”
