Sheriff: Drugs, guns and two juveniles found in "deplorable" home

Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said deputies executed a search warrant at a Legrand Smoak Road home and seized two handguns, more than a pound of marijuana, baggies, electronic scales, and cash. Ravenell said the house is less than a half-mile away from Edisto Primary School on Cordova Road.

Deputies also found a juvenile relative of a resident who was renting a room in the house, as well as a young friend of the juvenile. The Department of Social Services was contacted to handle the two juveniles.

Ravenell said the homeowner, 38-year-old James Bufort Dukes, was also renting a room in the house to Kayla Bonita Beason, 19, and Edward Ervin Hamilton, 20. "The conditions of the home were deplorable," said Ravenell.

Dukes was charged with simple possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Beason and Hamilton were both charged with possessing and distributing marijuana.

Ravenell said deputies also found 20-year-old Jerry Walker Willis in the home, who was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Calhoun County.

Bond hearings for Dukes, Beason and Hamilton will be held at 2:30pm Thursday.