Sheriff Rogers Addresses Negative Publicity on Social Media Video

Once again, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is receiving negative publicity from a video shared with media.

You deserve to know all the facts about this incident, instead of the click-bait propaganda that some media uses to create divisions.

On March 13th, 2025, Investigators with the Narcotics Division were on routine patrol in the Pine Circle Rd / Green Acres community, well known for drug activity.

Investigators observed a Green Ford F250, driven by Thomas Richard Manning III, who failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of NC 904 and Green Acres Rd.

When emergency lights and sirens were activated, Manning accelerated to speeds over 85 mph.

The chase ended when Manning stopped at his residence, located at 94 Harbor Drive.

Despite Manning’s statement during a media interview, he was not pulled from the vehicle. He freely exited the vehicle when he pulled onto his driveway.

Investigators observed Manning ingesting an unknown substance, suspected to be narcotics.

Due to Manning fleeing from the initial traffic stop, he was commanded to get on the ground.

Manning refused and resisted arrest.

While resisting, Manning bumped his head on his truck door, causing a minor injury to his head.

He was eventually assisted to the ground but continued to resist all attempts to place him in handcuffs.

Once secured, investigators called EMS due to him ingesting an unknown substance, the bump on his head, and arm pain.

My guys allowed Manning’s wife to remove their personal belongings from the vehicle after it was searched.

Investigators did not have to do this, since the vehicle was seized under the Run and Done law to be sold by the state.

EMS cleared Manning to be transported to the hospital where he was cleared with only a sprained arm and simply a band aid on his head.

He was then transported to the Columbus County Detention Center, where he was booked and placed under a $5,000 secured bond.

Manning is no stranger to law enforcement.

Just 9 days prior to this arrest, on March 4, 2025, Manning was charged with Driving without a License and an unsafe driving violation in South Carolina.

In 2022, he was arrested for Assault on a Female, because she would not give him money to buy drugs.

Manning has been charged with Speeding 10 times, 3 seatbelt violations, and 6 other traffic violations in South Carolina.

During the media released interview, Manning admits to fleeing. He states, “Even if I was speeding to elude or whatever they say, that still don’t give the right to pull me out of my truck and beat me.”

I want to reiterate that Manning was not pulled from his vehicle, nor was he beaten by my investigators.

Some Media outlets create a divide by promoting their biased point of view.

I stand strong on my commitment of transparency to Columbus County citizens.

I refuse to allow them to continue to create a false narrative about my agency to the citizens that I serve.

Thank you and goodnight.
-Sheriff Bill Rogers