SC woman sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for attempting to light police officer on fire

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A Latta woman who attempted to light a police officer on fire was sentenced Tuesday to over six years in prison, according to the 4th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Melissa McCoy, 38, plead guilty to first-degree assault and battery in Dillon County court. Circuit Court Judge Kirk Griffin sentenced McCoy to 6.5 years in prison, the solicitor’s office said.

Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel, who prosecuted the case said police officers are overworked and underpaid and incidents like this cannot be tolerated.

“The last thing they [police officers] need is for someone to attempt to evade arrest by spraying lighter fluid on the officer and attempting to light him on fire,” Daniel said. “We take behavior like that against our law enforcement agents seriously, and we are pleased the court does also.”

On December 30, 2023, Latta officers attempted to lawfully arrest McCoy.

After a brief chase around her home, McCoy sprayed lighter fluid on one of the officers, including in his eyes, and attempted to light him on fire. McCoy must serve 55% of her sentence, the solicitor’s office said.

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