BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–An ex-South Carolina cop who made national headlines following the murder of his wife and molestation allegations has been arrested in China, according to a U.S. Marshal spokesperson.
“We are aware of the reports that he’s been arrested,†the spokesperson told The State. “We are working with our international partners.â€
Daniel William Hiers, Jr. of Goose Creek is accused of shooting his wife to death and sexually abusing a friend’s child. He’s been a fugitive on the run from authorities since 2005 but was recently arrested after Chinese social media and news outlets reported that the former cop was an English teacher at a prominent Shanghai school.
Hiers is said to have been living there under the assumed name David Williams.
Discovering His Whereabouts
The story first made its rounds on the internet in China after a woman identified only as Ms. Wang claimed that at her former school in Shanghaii there was a popular foreign English teacher, well-liked by women because he was “tall and handsome.” She notes that he was even hired as a bodyguard by an unnamed star, according to English language Chinese news outlet Shanghaiist.
According to the woman who now lives in California, the teacher had a messy private life and left quite an impression on her because he once tried to pursue one of her friends. The friend reportedly turned him down, leading the teacher to become angry and start sexually harassing her with pornographic pictures.
That teacher reportedly returned to the woman’s mind recently, when she happened to take a look at a list of the US Marshals Service’s 15 most wanted, finding a man who looked exactly like him.
At this time, it’s not clear when Hiers will be extradited back to the United States to finally face charges.
What He Is Accused Of
Hiers seemed to be a good cop, a faithful public servant for the city of Charleston. But, authorities say he betrayed his badge in the worst way, using it to gain the trust of a single mother with a young daughter, then allegedly molesting the 10-year-old child over a period of months. On November 24, 2004, Hiers, 32, was arrested by the North Charleston Police Department for committing lewd acts on a child under the age of 16 and was released on bond. He was promptly suspended from the police force.
The Dorchester County, SC Sheriff’s Department subsequently filed additional charges against Hiers for first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Hiers was scheduled to surrender on those charges on March 15, 2005, but failed to meet his lawyer at the sheriff’s department.
When Hiers’ mother looked for him at his house, he was nowhere to be found. What was found in Hiers’ bedroom was the body of his 24-year-old wife, Ludimila, killed with a gunshot to the head. Neighbors observed Hiers leaving the house several hours before the gruesome discovery was made. On March 31, 2005, the Goose Creek, SC Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Hiers, alleging that he murdered his wife.
Running From The Law
Despite an intensive manhunt, South Carolina authorities had been unable to locate Hiers, and requested the assistance of “Operation Interceptâ€, a U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task force. The U.S. Marshals Service then obtained a federal warrant for Hiers for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
“It is especially abhorrent when individuals sworn to uphold the law commit such crimes. We will remain focused on seeing that this fugitive is brought to justice,†said Marshals Service Director Benigno Reyna.
The U.S. Marshals office reportedly told The State newspaper that Hiers’ recent arrest is an important one for them.
“He’s one of the top 15. Those are always big,” they told the paper.
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