Westminster Man arrested on Multiple Charges

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Westminster man Tuesday on multiple charges, including one count each of trafficking in methamphetamine, second offense and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Booked into the Oconee County Detention Center was 45-year-old Brantley Keith Black. He has also been charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle and one count of possession of a controlled substance. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation after a deputy from the Uniform Patrol Division spoke with a complainant by phone on Sept. 2, in regards to reports of a stolen vehicle that had been taken from an address on Cooke Drive near Westminster. The vehicle, a black 2017 Harley Davidson Iron 833 Sportster, was reportedly taken from the property the previous day, according to the complainant. The case was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office and information on the motorcycle was entered into the National Crimes Information Center database. As the investigation continued and based on evidence gathered during the investigation, investigators were able to locate the motorcycle in a building on the property at the Shady Lane address due to the execution of a search warrant. Investigators also located Black on scene and placed him in custody. As a result of the execution of the search warrant on the property and a camper on the property, investigators located a quantity of methamphetamine, prescription drugs and firearms inside the camper. Investigators notified Narcotics Agents in regards to the drugs that were discovered. The motorcycle has a value of around $8,494, according to deputies. The motorcycle was towed away from the scene. The amount of methamphetamine seized was over 30 grams with a street value of over $3,000, according to Narcotics Agents. Based upon evidence gathered as a result of the investigation, investigators also obtained an arrest warrant against 23-year-old William Grover Bearden, who resides at a different address on Cooke Drive than the incident location of the stolen motorcycle. Bearden has been charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle for having in his possession the stolen motorcycle while knowing the motorcycle was stolen. Bearden has been in jail at the Oconee County Detention Center since being arrested by Westminster Police on Sept. 27. Bearden was charged by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office with grand larceny, second degree burglary and safecracking in relation to a separate incident. Bearden also remains in custody on charges from the Westminster Police Department. Black remains in custody at the Oconee County Detention Center pending a bond hearing. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation.