K-9 Apprehends Summerville Man on James Island

A Summerville man is in Charleston County Sheriff's Office custody after deputies said he attempted to elude authorities and a K-9 was deployed to apprehend him on James Island.

Joseph D. Smith, 31, was charged with Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, Possession with intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with the intent to Distribute Ecstasy and Resisting Arrest.

On Monday at around 7:25 p.m., a Charleston County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy attempted a traffic stop on a 2013 Ford Fusion on Dills Bluff Road James Island, after observing the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and crossing into the opposing lane of traffic. The driver failed to stop for the deputy and continued onto Williams Road traveling more than 50 miles per hour, according to deputies. 

Near the end of Williams Road the driver and passenger allegedly bailed out of the vehicle, which then came to a stop in a ditch. The deputy gave repeated commands for Smith, the driver, to stop but Smith continued to run, according to deputies. 

The deputy’s K-9 Niko was released but Smith allegedly pushed the K-9 off avoiding apprehension. The deputy then deployed a Taser on Smith. Smith then got back up and started to flee again. The K-9 was again deployed and a successful apprehension was achieved.

Subsequent to the arrest $1159 cash and a total of 3,636 grams of marijuana and 65 ecstasy pills were allegedly located in the vehicle and were seized.

Smith was taken into custody after the K-9 apprehension and transported to MUSC by Charleston County EMS for treatment of his wounds then lodged at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. The passenger who fled the vehicle was not identified or located.