SLED arrests former deputy

SLED arrests former deputy
By Noah Haglund (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, August 15, 2007



Accused of using unnecessary force

The State Law Enforcement Division arrested a former Charleston County deputy Tuesday on charges that he kicked a handcuffed suspect and delivered knee strikes to the head of a mentally ill man during separate incidents in June, warrants state.

Christopher M. Lanoue, 24, of Charleston, was charged with two counts of official misconduct.

The Sheriff's Office fired Lanoue on June 26 shortly after allegations of misconduct arose, sheriff's spokesman Maj. John Clark said.

An internal investigation led the agency to refer the matter to SLED, said Clark, who declined to discuss some details of the firing, calling it a personnel matter.

Deputy Sheriff Lanoue patrolled the western area of the county that includes West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island, Clark said. He joined the agency about three years ago.

One arrest warrant affidavit accuses the deputy of using excessive force by twice kicking a driver involved in a high-speed chase that ended on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard at Orleans Road around 1 a.m. June 21. The driver clearly was restrained in handcuffs, the document states. A VHS recording from a deputy's patrol vehicle captured the incident.

Another affidavit accuses Lanoue of delivering several unnecessary "knee strikes to the head and face area of a mentally ill person" around 8:30 p.m. the same day on Honeyhill Road.

The affidavit does not identify either person Lanoue encountered. Lanoue left the Charleston County jail Tuesday on $20,000 bond, court documents show.

Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.