16th Circuit Solicitor's Office

10/27/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share an update about our friend Deanna.

Our October 16 fundraiser was an incredible success, with so many from the community coming together to help raise funds for Deanna. However, on the day of the fundraiser, Deanna became very ill and was hospitalized. Sadly, her condition quickly declined, and she passed away in the early morning hours of October 23 at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House.

Before her passing, Deanna shared that she trusted us to do what we felt was best with the funds raised. With her funeral expenses covered and no other expenses known to us, we wanted to ensure that the generosity shown in her honor would continue to make a meaningful difference.

In memory of Deanna, we made a donation to Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, which provided her with immeasurable comfort, peace, and compassionate care during her final precious hours.

We are also making a donation to Robert Floyd, a member of our staff who is facing his own serious health challenges. Robert has stage 5 kidney disease, is currently on dialysis, and is awaiting a kidney transplant. Like Deanna, Robert has a beautiful heart and spirit, and we hope this support will bring some comfort and encouragement as he continues his journey.

We are deeply grateful to every person who answered the call to support Deanna. The incredible response we received and were able to pass along to Deanna assured her in her final days that she was surrounded by people who loved her. Although we wish circumstances had been different, we are thankful that your generosity has allowed us to honor Deanna’s memory while also extending support to others who are facing difficult battles.

Maya Angelou said that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. No one who knew Deanna Estridge will ever forget how she made them feel in even the smallest of interactions with her. We will carry that memory with us, and hopefully that memory will inspire us all to be a little bit more like Deanna.

09/25/2026

Yesterday, a Union County jury found Dustin Medford guilty of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawful neglect of a child. He was sentenced to a total of twenty-three years without the possibility of parole.

The evidence presented at trial showed that on June 6, 2024, Medford was stopped at a red light with his two-year-old son in the vehicle when he spotted his estranged wife stopped nearby with another man in her passenger seat. Medford made a U-turn and pursued her vehicle, ultimately passing another car to get behind her before pulling into oncoming traffic alongside her and pointing a fi***rm at the vehicle. When she stopped, Medford blocked her car in, got out, and opened fire, striking her in the head. Miraculously, the bullet only grazed her scalp. She felt a burning sensation in the top of her head where blood was running down her face and called 911. Medford then fled the scene and hid the fi***rm in a barn. His two-year-old son was in the vehicle throughout the incident.

Judge Eugene C. Griffith Jr. sentenced Medford to a total of eighteen concurrent years for attempted murder, the two assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature charges, and unlawful neglect of a child. Judge Griffith sentenced Medford to a consecutive five years for possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He had remained incarcerated in the Union County Jail from the of date of his arrest until his conviction.

Senior Solicitor Jenny Williams and Assistant Solicitor Harrison Flynn prosecuted the case.

09/23/2026

A big thank you to James Burns of Burns Ford of York for his donation to our fundraiser for Deanna!

09/21/2026

Help Us Support Deanna Estridge!

Join us for a special fundraiser lunch and event to support one of our valued York County employees, Deanna Estridge. Deanna, who brings her incredible smile and can-do spirit to the Moss Justice Center every day, is currently facing a battle with cancer.

We're rallying around Deanna to show her she's not alone in this fight! Come by for:

$10 Hot Dog or Hamburger Plate
Bake Sale
Silent auction

When: October 16, 11 AM – 2 PM

Let's show Deanna the incredible support that York County folks are known for!

08/13/2026

Please join us in welcoming Investigator Steven Daves to the office. He was sworn in today.

Investigator Daves will primarily work in Diversions, assisting with the supervision of Drug Court participants. He joins us with three years of experience supervising offenders with the Department of Probation and Parole. He also brings more than six years of prior law enforcement experience, having served as a uniformed patrol officer with the Clover Police Department.

Please help us welcome Investigator Daves to the team!

08/06/2026

Yesterday, a York County jury found Ryley Morgan Smith guilty of trafficking 14g-28g of fentanyl, first offense, and possession with intent to distribute crack co***ne, first offense. He was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole.

The evidence presented at trial showed that Ryley Smith was an occupant in a vehicle stopped on Cureton Ferry Road in Catawba on January 30, 2025. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a little under twenty-five grams of fentanyl and a little over one gram of crack co***ne was found in the trunk of the vehicle. Additionally, Smith had incriminating texts in his cell phone revealing that he was involved in the sale of narcotics.

The jury found Smith guilty after deliberating for about an hour and a half. He was prosecuted by Senior Solicitor Marina Hamilton and Assistant Solicitor William Anderson.

Do not traffic fentanyl in the Sixteenth Circuit.

07/15/2026

34 years after stabbed baby found in Catawba River, SC mother’s conviction upheld

05/21/2026

Yesterday, a York County jury found Devasco Pride guilty of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the third degree.

On May 17, 2024, Devasco Pride attempted to take advantage of a sleeping victim who at the time was particularly vulnerable given her health challenges. A search of Pride’s tablet computer revealed incriminating internet search history. He was arrested about a month later and remained incarcerated in pretrial detention until his trial this week.

Assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct in the third degree carries a potential sentence of up to ten paroleable years in prison. Judge William A. McKinnon sentenced Pride to eight years in prison.

Senior Solicitors Hannah Woods and Daniel Porter prosecuted the case.

05/19/2026

She took the money from Horne Label & Printing and spent it on gifts through TikTok, house and car payments and more.

05/19/2026

Thank you Loyd Ardrey and may God speed you home! Rock Hill lost a good man.

Ardrey’s famous sign was stolen in 2005, but he bought another one and kept selling hot dogs at his Rock Hill restaurant.