The disgraced police chief who faked his suicide to avoid prosecution pled guilty in Columbus Superior Court today.
William Anthony Spivey will serve 138 to 267 months in prison after pleading guilty to 14 felonies and one misdemeanor. He was police chief in Chadbourn until February 2021.
District Attorney Jon David said announced in a press release that his office became “increasingly concerned” about missing evidence at the Chadbourn Police Department in 2021.
“Two Assistant District Attorneys with the Columbus County District Attorney’s office requested to review evidence in several narcotic cases at the Chadbourn Police Department for discovery purposes,” the release said. “ Spivey could not produce all the evidence requested and declined allowing the examination of the evidence he presented.”
On March 2, 2021, District Attorney Jon David requested an SBI investigation into possible obstruction of justice and willful failure to discharge a duty of office by Spivey. SBI Agents began a detailed search of the Chadbourn Police Department, to include Spivey’s office and the evidence room. Multiple items of evidence seized from various cases were found to be missing, including money, narcotics, and several firearms.
“Certain bags labeled as evidence with written descriptions of the items contained therein were found to be torn open with some or all of the items described missing,” the release said. “Much of the missing evidence were attached to cases initiated during such time when Spivey had exclusive care, custody, and control of the Chadbourn Police Department evidence room. Certain opened evidence bags with missing items of evidence were located within Spivey’s office, along with copies or original case files and property sheets.”
Further investigation showed Spivey removed items of evidence and sold firearms to friends, family members, and acquaintances.
After Spivey was arrested and posted bond, he failed to appear for court and left a suicide note indicating that he planned to commit suicide. After an extensive search along the Lumber River, Detectives from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office discovered that Spivey was hiding out on a friend’s property in Loris, S.C., taken back into custody.
Two friends of Spivey still face trial for assisting in the suicide scheme.
The November trial was expected to be an extensive one, David said. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jason Minnicozzi was able to finalize the plea agreement and avoid a lengthy trial given the number of witnesses and the volume of evidence Spivey pilfered from the evidence locker, David said.
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jason C. Disbrow presided over the plea.
“Spivey has been held accountable for his actions and we hope that this will bring confidence back to our community, including our law enforcement partners, who work diligently as they serve our community with integrity,” Minnicozi said. “Spivey’s actions are not a reflection upon law enforcement. Spivey’s conduct is reflective of an outlier who took advantage of his position of trust and power.”
“This was not an isolated incident,” said David. “Rather, Anthony Spivey was engaged in an ongoing pattern of criminal conduct. At some point in his career, Mr. Spivey made the decision to stop serving his community and instead start serving his own selfish interests. In my view, the punishment handed down today, which includes a significant prison sentence and the permanent loss of his badge, reflects the depth of Mr. Spivey’s breach of duty and speaks justice.”
The District Attorney’s Office gratefully acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the SBI for their comprehensive investigation. Particularly Special Agent in Charge Kellie Hodges, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Casey Fillinger, and Special Agent Leslie Foster of the Special Programs Unit “went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that justice was done,” David said.
