Sheriff Arrested on Assault Charge

Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon was booked into the jail that bears his own name Tuesday on 3rd degree assault charges, according to a statement from the state's law enforcement division.

The arrest and criminal charges stem from a January incident in which Cannon admitted he slapped a handcuffed suspect following a high-speed pursuit through Mount Pleasant. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division made the arrest today.

Cannon invited the criminal probe after the incident, and earlier on Tuesday an outside prosecutor recommended the misdemeanor charges. Cannon told the Post and Courier he would not step down because of the charge, and he would accept the appropriate punishment.

The assault charge carries a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, and since Cannon has no criminal record he can enter a pre-trial diversion program. He won't have to step down as sheriff, because the diversion will result in no criminal record.

It's a common scenario for first-time offenders charged with minor offenses.

Cannon has said almost from the outset that he regretted slapping Timothy McManus following the Jan. 30 chase. The sheriff said he lost his temper after personally pursuing the suspect at speeds near 100 mph through Mount Pleasant and into the Francis Marion National Forest.

On Monday, deputies again arrested McManus when they encountered the 31-year-old asleep behind the wheel of a running truck in Mount Pleasant. He was charged with driving without insurance, a proper tag and for operating a vehicle with a suspended license.

McManus, according to ABC News 4, was released from jail earlier Tuesday.