Former Kershaw Deputy Gets Prison Time for Excessive Force
September 6, 2024
A Kershaw County jury found former Kershaw County Deputy Johnathan Goldsmith guilty today of assault and battery in the second degree and misconduct of office.
The Honorable Robert E. Hood sentenced Goldsmith to one year in the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Goldsmith faced trial for his actions on Oct. 15, 2020. Dispatched to investigate a suspicious vehicle parked at Abney Baptist Church, Goldsmith approached the car and encountered its occupant, Tony Sims.
Goldsmith patted Sims down when he noticed an empty gun holster in the passenger seat. He then instructed Sims to place his hands behind his back to detain the defendant.
As Goldsmith tried to secure Sims with handcuffs, Sims pulled his right arm away. In response, Goldsmith struck Sims in the head and neck area and used a tripping technique, causing Sims to collapse to the ground. Body cam footage and a church surveillance camera captured Goldsmith delivering multiple fist strikes to Sims while he lay on the ground in handcuffs, ultimately causing Sims to be rendered unconscious.
Sims regained consciousness about a minute later and actively resisted when Goldsmith attempted to place him in the patrol vehicle. This led to a five to six-minute struggle during which Goldsmith tased the victim, repeatedly punched him, pepper-sprayed Sims, struck him with a baton, and forcefully closed Sims’ foot in the vehicle door.
Following the altercation, Kershaw County Emergency Medical Services arrived to find Sims missing two teeth, which they collected before transporting him to the hospital. A CT scan at the hospital revealed Sims had sustained a broken jaw in two places.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, represented by Assistant Solicitor Paul Walton and Solicitor Byron Gipson prosecuted the case.
Lead prosecutor Walton commented on the verdict, stating, “We are pleased with the jury’s decision to hold Johnathan Goldsmith accountable. Law enforcement works very hard each and every day to serve and protect the community. This officer’s actions are not reflective of what law enforcement stands for. In October 2020, he violated the public’s trust, and for that, he has been held accountable.”
Solicitor Gipson added, “One of my duties in this role is to protect citizens in the Fifth Circuit from abusive police practices. This is the case where one officer made a series of poor decisions on Oct. 15, 2020, for which he has now been held accountable. His actions are not reflective of the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement as a whole.”