YORK COUNTY, SC – A former York County Detention Officer has been arrested and charged with misconduct in office for inappropriate sexual contact with an inmate. On August 15, 2022 South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents arrested Benjamin Adam Skidell, 33, of Clover, S.C. for Misconduct in Office and Second-Degree Sexual Misconduct with an Inmate.
On Monday, November 23, 2020 York County Detention Center command staff received a phone call from Skidell admitting that he had inappropriate contact between he and a female inmate on Sunday, November 22nd. Skidell was immediately placed on suspension with pay pending the investigation. An internal investigation was immediately initiated. The inmate was interviewed by YCDC internal affairs on Monday, November 23rd. After that interview, SLED was contacted immediately. On November 25th he was placed on suspension without pay. On December 1, 2020, Sheriff Kevin Tolson terminated Skidell’s employment.
“These allegations, if proven true are disturbing, but are not indicative of the great work of all the men women do on daily basis at the York County Detention Center,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “We ensure to our citizens that Respect, Integrity, Character, Accountability and Professionalism are our core values and this incident has tarnished those values we hold dear.”
In March 2021, SLED forwarded the case to the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. In August 2021 the York County Solicitor forwarded the case to the Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office due to conflict of interest.
Skidell was booked in at YCDC and received an $8,000 bond.
###
SLED NEWS RELEASE
Skidell MUG SHOT
