A state trooper is under investigation for allegedly targeting Hispanic drivers and making them pay as much as $40 to avoid tickets, SLED chief Robert Stewart said Friday.

Lance Cpl. Stephen A. Watts, 28, of Pelion, was arrested Friday and charged with misconduct in office. Investigators have identified eight people who are alleged victims, all in Lexington and Aiken counties. All are Hispanic.

“We have reason to believe this also occurred in Saluda and Orangeburg counties,” Stewart said.

No other troopers are being investigated, Stewart said.

Watts was charged in an incident that happened Oct. 30 on S.C. 23 in the Leesville area of Lexington County. According to an arrest warrant, Watts pulled over a motorist, whom Stewart described as Hispanic, for a traffic violation and forced the driver to pay $40 to avoid a ticket.

Stewart said other charges are expected, but it will take a while because the charges likely will involve different judicial districts.

“We went ahead and made a charge to bring this to a head so it would stop,” Stewart said. “And we do anticipate other charges. It could be others may come forward.”

Watts has been with the Highway Patrol since 2000. He was suspended “the moment he was arrested,” said Sid Gaulden, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety.

The department’s internal affairs office went to SLED with the case.

Watts was released from the Lexington County Detention Center after posting $5,000 bail. Efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Officials from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, along with the State Law Enforcement Division, are investigating.

SLED Inspector Stacy Drakeford said motorists who have been victimized can call SLED at (803) 737-9000.

This is the second time this year a law enforcement officer has been charged with misconduct involving Hispanics.

In June, a former Richland County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to jabbing a Hispanic woman in the arm with a flashlight during a traffic stop because he was frustrated that she couldn’t speak English.

A video camera in David Byerly’s patrol car taped him waving handcuffs at Norma G. Zuniga and asking her if she wanted to go to jail. Byerly was fined $587 for the April 8 incident.

Reach Beam at (803) 771-8405 or abeam@thestate.com. Reach Leach at (803) 771-8549 or leleach@thestate.com.