SLED charges former Kershaw Co. deputy for allegedly assaulting inmate

KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - A former Kershaw Co. deputy has been charged for allegedly assaulting a jail inmate in May 2020.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reports investigators were requested by the 5th circuit Solicitor’s Office to investigate the use of force involving former Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office deputy, 38-year-old, Johnathan Lewis Goldsmith for an incident at the Kershaw County Detention Center on May 24, 2020.

He faces a 3rd-degree assault and battery charge.

RELATED CONTENT / Kershaw Co. Sheriff created “greatest hits” video of officer who would go on to be charged for assault

According to the arrest warrant, during the booking of the victim, the victim was not complying with staff and struck deputy Goldsmith in his groin area. Goldsmith punched the victim twice in the abdomen, with the victim falling to the floor after the strikes.

Detectives used video footage, witness statements, and Goldsmith’s incident report in the case.

Goldsmith was booked at the Kershaw County Detention Center.

WIS obtained the incident reports from Goldsmith, the responding Camden Police Officer, and a Kershaw County Detention Center Officer for the alleged assault through a lawsuit filed against Goldsmith for a separate incident.

They show the inmate was Terry Carlson, who was arrested by the Camden Police Department for driving under the influence. Kershaw County Court records do not show any prosecution of the charge.

She faces 3rd-degree assault and battery as a result of the incident. Kershaw County court records show that case is still pending.

Goldsmith wrote he used wrist lock pain compliance after Carlson pushed an officer and “swung at her.”

The video in WIS’ possession begins moments before Carlson was put in the wrist lock. She does appear to resist Goldsmith but the video does not show Carlson pushing or attempting to punch an officer.

Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan sent WIS the following statement:

The incident you are asking about involves Goldsmith’s split-second reaction to being kicked “soccer style” in his groin over 2 1/2 years ago. I terminated Goldsmith over 2 years ago.

The Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office has learned valuable lessons and has made a lot of improvements in the past 2 years.

No defense attorney is publicly listed for Goldsmith as of this writing.

This is not the first time Goldsmith has faced repercussions for his service with the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.

RELATED CONTENT / Kershaw Sheriff, sheriff’s office, and former deputy face 3rd lawsuit over deputy’s alleged actions

RELATED CONTENT / Kershaw County sheriff, former deputy named in lawsuit over alleged assault

RELATED CONTENT / SLED confirms Sheriff asks for third investigation into former KCSO deputy

In Jan. 2021, SLED issued an arrest warrant for Goldsmith’s actions for an Oct. 2020 incident where body camera footage shows him knocking the suspect unconscious and breaking his jaw.

RELATED CONTENT / SLED issues warrant for ex-Kershaw Co. deputy accused of assault and battery

RELATED CONTENT / Kershaw Co. Sheriff created “greatest hits” video of officer who would go on to be charged for assault

He faces 2nd-degree assault & battery and misconduct in office charges for the incident.

The incident also resulted in a lawsuit against Goldsmith and Boan which settled for $1.5 million.

RELATED CONTENT / Kershaw County Sheriff settles use of force lawsuit

A WIS investigation and the lawsuit found Goldsmith has a history of concerns being raised about his frequent use of force and at times excessive use of force.

RELATED CONTENT / KCSO documents show 2nd instance where Sheriff knew of deputy’s behavior before alleged assault

RELATED CONTENT / KCSO civil lawsuit records show history of documented concerns before deputy’s alleged assault

Both Boan and Goldsmith face two additional lawsuits in federal court over his alleged actions as deputy.

Notice a spelling or grammar error in this article? Click or tap here to report it. Please include the article’s headline.

Stay up to date with WIS News 10. Get the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and Stream us on Roku, YouTube, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV.

Copyright 2023 WIS. All rights reserved.