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Two St. Stephen Men Arrested After Victim Dies From Pesticide Poisoning

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.– According to the S.C. Attorney General’s Office, two St. Stephen have been charged with theft and involuntary manslaughter.

Authorities say that stolen pesticide was hidden in Pepsi Cola bottles and then mistakenly consumed by a man who eventually passed away on June 15.

The consumption of Gramoxone is said to have ultimately killed the victim.

S.C. Department of Pesticide Regulation agents later arrested Kenneth M. Beauford and Damon Lamonte Kelly on Feb. 27. The department is the state’s lead enforcement agency for the sale, use and distribution of pesticides.

Investigators say that around June 3, 2014, Kelly stole the restricted-use herbicide, which has an extremely poisonous active ingredient called paraquat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, paraquat sold in the United States has a blue dye to keep it from being confused with brown beverages, a sharp odor to serve as a warning, and an added agent to induce vomiting if someone drinks it. Paraquat from outside the United States may not have these safeguards added.

Beauford placed the weed killer in plastic soft drink container. He then sold the bottles to two people in St. Stephen.

The victim reportedly bought the bottles from Beauford and Kelly. The two are also accused of applying Gramoxone without a valid certified pesticide applicator’s license.

Beauford is charged with one count of Involuntary Manslaughter (punishable by not more than five imprisonment); one count of receiving stolen goods, $2,000 or less (punishable by not more than 30 days imprisonment); and three counts of Pesticide Control Act violations (punishable by not more than 30 days imprisonment on each count).

Kelly is charged with one count of petty larceny, $2,000 or less (punishable by not more than 30 days imprisonment); and three counts of Pesticide Control Act violations (punishable by not more than 30 days imprisonment on each count).

The case was investigated by agents from the South Carolina Department of Pesticide Regulation and will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Ashley A. McMahan.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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