A late-night house party in Oconee County ended with the security guard in handcuffs instead of the guests, after deputies say he cuffed a woman and hit her multiple times.
Jordan Lebron Hardesty, 20, of Toccoa, Georgia, was arrested early Sunday and booked into the Oconee County Detention Center. Deputies say he is charged with kidnapping and third-degree assault and battery, and that his combined surety bond was set at $26,087.50.
What deputies say
According to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by WNEG Radio, deputies were called just after midnight to a disturbance at a home. While they were investigating that situation, they learned of a separate complaint that a woman at the party had been handcuffed by Hardesty.
Deputies say Hardesty identified himself to them as a security guard working the event. According to the sheriff’s office, he told investigators he is not certified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which regulates private security in the state. Authorities say they took him into custody after collecting evidence at the scene.
Victim's account
The woman told deputies she had asked the security guards to remove another person from the party, but said they refused. That disagreement, she told investigators, turned into a verbal argument. She says Hardesty then put her in handcuffs and hit her in the face several times, according to WSB-TV.
Arrest and booking details
Authorities say Hardesty was arrested early Sunday and taken to the Oconee County Detention Center. He was booked on kidnapping and third-degree assault and battery charges and granted a combined surety bond of $26,087.50. Local outlets have reported on the arrest and the charges based on the sheriff’s office statement.
Security licensing in South Carolina
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division requires private security officers to be registered and to complete SLED-approved basic training before they work security jobs, and employers must keep proof of that training on file, according to the agency. SLED’s regulatory materials outline the registration forms and proof-of-training records that must be maintained for each officer.
Legal implications
Under South Carolina law, kidnapping is broadly defined and can be charged as a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison under state statute (S.C. Code § 16-3-910), as published by Justia. Third-degree assault and battery is a misdemeanor offense that can bring up to 30 days in jail and a fine under S.C. Code § 16-3-600, according to the South Carolina Legislature. How the case proceeds will depend on the evidence gathered during the sheriff’s office investigation and prosecutorial decisions.
Investigation status
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is active and that deputies are continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence from the party. Officials have not released further information about the woman’s injuries or any scheduled court appearances in the case.
