Berkeley Deputy Fired After Misconduct Charges

Sheriff Wayne DeWitt fired a deputy of five years on Monday after the officer was arrested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

According to DeWitt, Steven Lee Beane has been charged with official misconduct and criminal domestic violence and will have a bond hearing Monday night.

A complaint was filed Nov. 5 regarding an alleged assault the previous day at the deputy's home, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office.

Beane was suspended at that time and an internal investigation was conducted by the Sheriff's Office.

"Upon conclusion of the internal investigation it was determined that criminal laws had been violated and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was requested to conduct an investigation," the release stated.

Beane's employment with the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office has been terminated, according to DeWitt. Beane had been employed by the Sheriff’s Office since August 2007.