Criminal Charges Recommended for Sheriff

A prosecutor has recommended misdemeanor criminal charges against Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon followed a January incident in which he slapped a handcuffed suspect, according to reports.

Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett of York County said he has recommended that the State Law Enforcement Division charge Cannon with the misdemeanor charge, with carries a punishment of 30 days in jail or a $500 fine, the Post and Courier reports.

The charge would not preclude Cannon from serving in office or in law enforcement. Since he has no prior criminal record, Cannon would be eligible to enter a pre-trial diversion program, the paper reports.

Cannon admitted after the incident that he had a lapse in judgement when he struck the suspect, Timothy McManus, following a high-speed chase through Mount Pleasant and into the Francis Marion National Forest.

The same suspect was arrested earlier this week after deputies spotted him sleeping in his truck in Mount Pleasant. He faces a slew of charges related to driving without insurance and without a proper license.