Argument over cellphone leads to arrest, firing of Upstate deputy, sheriff says

An Oconee County deputy has been fired after his arrest on domestic abuse charges, Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said Monday. Former deputy Tony Wheeler, 44, was arrested about 11 p.m. Thursday at a home on Carrie Leigh Lane in Pendleton, according to an incident report. The report from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office said Wheeler and his girlfriend got into an argument over a cellphone. His girlfriend said Wheeler cut her with a knife on the hand and wrist. Wheeler was taken into custody and charged with first-degree domestic violence, according to booking documents. He was released on a $5,000 bond, according to the Anderson County Detention Center. Wheeler joined the Sheriff's Office in February 2013, Crenshaw said. He started out with the Sheriff's Office as a uniformed deputy, later working in the narcotics unit, and was assigned just last week to the school resource unit, Crenshaw said. Crenshaw said he was not aware of any problems in Wheeler's personal life. Crenshaw said he made the decision to fire Wheeler early Friday morning, after being told about the incident. Crenshaw released the following statement: "I was very disappointed in the decisions he made, given the stance that I have taken against domestic violence. I realize our sworn deputies are human and mistakes will be made. However, I have made it very clear in my mission statement for the Sheriff's Office that we will maintain high standards of accountability. I will continue to hold our staff to a higher standard."

An Oconee County deputy has been fired after his arrest on domestic abuse charges, Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said Monday.



Former deputy Tony Wheeler, 44, was arrested about 11 p.m. Thursday at a home on Carrie Leigh Lane in Pendleton, according to an incident report.


The report from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office said Wheeler and his girlfriend got into an argument over a cellphone. His girlfriend said Wheeler cut her with a knife on the hand and wrist.

Wheeler was taken into custody and charged with first-degree domestic violence, according to booking documents.

He was released on a $5,000 bond, according to the Anderson County Detention Center. Wheeler joined the Sheriff's Office in February 2013, Crenshaw said.



He started out with the Sheriff's Office as a uniformed deputy, later working in the narcotics unit, and was assigned just last week to the school resource unit, Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw said he was not aware of any problems in Wheeler's personal life.

Crenshaw said he made the decision to fire Wheeler early Friday morning, after being told about the incident.

Crenshaw released the following statement: "I was very disappointed in the decisions he made, given the stance that I have taken against domestic violence. I realize our sworn deputies are human and mistakes will be made. However, I have made it very clear in my mission statement for the Sheriff's Office that we will maintain high standards of accountability. I will continue to hold our staff to a higher standard."

