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Avery Dean Hand was arrested Friday

 

SPARTANBURG CO.—The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has charged a former Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office deputy with misconduct in office and disclosure of confidential information. 

According to an SCSO press release, on Friday, December 6, Avery Dean Hand, 29, was arrested for misconduct during his employment at the sheriff’s office and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Hand was terminated from the sheriff’s office on May 23, 2023.

Hand is accused of improperly accessing and sharing sensitive information related to an ongoing homicide investigation conducted by another agency. Warrants released by SLED detail that Hand was on duty when he allegedly shared classified information from a secure law enforcement records database.

The SLED affidavit reveals that Hand met with an individual at a hotel while on duty, accessed confidential records, and recited parts of the reports aloud. Investigators noted that the person who received this information passed it on to a third party.

Hand served as a deputy from April 12, 2021, until his termination. After being alerted of potential misconduct, the sheriff’s office referred the case to state investigators.

“This agency made the referral to SLED once the Spartanburg Police Department made us aware of the issue,” said SCSO Lt. Kevin Bobo. “Because of the pending criminal charges, this agency will have no further comment.”