Family Dollar armed robbery leads to 18-year prison sentence
January 30, 2025
On Jan. 28, a Richland County jury found James Edward Carson guilty of armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The Honorable Charles J. McCutchen sentenced Carson to 18 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
During the two-day trial, the jury heard testimony from Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) deputies and investigators who responded to a 911 call on Feb. 27, 2024, reporting an armed robbery at the Family Dollar located at 8909 Two Notch Road.
An investigation revealed that Carson’s van was spotted heading toward the Family Dollar approximately 20 minutes before the robbery occurred. Surveillance footage from the nearby parking lot confirmed his presence in the area. The store’s security cameras captured Carson entering the store, approaching the cashier, and brandishing a firearm. He demanded that the cashier place the money into a bag and hand it to him. After receiving the cash, Carson fled the scene in his van.
A week later, investigators identified Carson as the suspect and arrested him in connection with the crime.
The jury returned a guilty verdict after less than an hour of deliberation.
RCSD Inv. Elise Ambos led the investigation with invaluable assistance from the RCSD Technical Services Unit. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, represented by Assistant Solicitor Nick Fowler and Senior Assistant Solicitor C. Dale Scott, prosecuted the case.