Suspended trooper arrested again

New warrant lists charge of malicious damage to property, another charge of misconduct in office

By CHRISTINA LEE KNAUSS

Staff Writer

A state trooper being investigated on charges of targeting Hispanic drivers and making them pay to avoid tickets has been arrested again.

Lance Cpl. Stephen A. Watts of Pelion was arrested Nov. 11 and charged with misconduct in office. Investigators at that time said Watts pulled over a Hispanic motorist and forced the driver to pay as much as $40 to avoid a ticket.

Tuesday, Watts was charged with malicious injury to personal property in an incident that happened Nov. 5 in Lexington County. According to an arrest warrant, Watts “willfully and maliciously” slashed a motorist’s car tire during a traffic stop.

Watts also was again charged with misconduct in office. According to a second arrest warrant, also served Tuesday, he “initiated traffic stops” between Oct. 1 and Nov. 11 and then “forced motorists to pay cash to conclude the stop and avoid going to jail or receiving a citation.” The warrant said Watts and others had given statements to State Law Enforcement Division agents that supported the evidence.

The incidents are being investigated by SLED.

Watts had been with the Highway Patrol since 2000 until he was suspended after his November arrest.

Watts was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center on Tuesday after his arrest. He was released Tuesday night after posting $6,000 in bail.

Reach Knauss at (803) 771-8507 or cknauss@thestate.com.

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