A former Charleston police officer sent to check on a woman's welfare at her James Island home is now facing a criminal charge himself, accused of coercing her into a sexual act while he was on duty. Stephen Chavis was arrested Oct. 7 and charged with misconduct in office following a State Law Enforcement Division investigation, capping a roughly 40-day process that began with a husband's call for help and ended with Chavis out of a job and in handcuffs.
The case traces back to Aug. 28, when Chavis and the Charleston Police Department responded to a James Island home after a concerned husband requested a welfare check on his wife, according to separation paperwork detailed by Live 5 News. That paperwork alleges that once there, “Officer Chavis coerced her into performing oral sex on him,” describing the resident as vulnerable and intoxicated at the time. A separate affidavit, as reported by The State, similarly alleges that Chavis received oral sex from the resident who was the subject of the welfare check.
The Charleston Police Department said it did not learn of the allegation until Sept. 8, at which point Chavis was placed on leave without pay, per the same Live 5 News account. An internal administrative investigation followed, and the department's report notes it determined that his actions violated department policy, leading to his firing on Sept. 23.
SLED Takes Over the Criminal Case
Rather than handle the criminal side internally, Charleston police asked SLED to lead an independent investigation, according to The State. That inquiry culminated in the Oct. 7 misconduct in office charge. Per the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Charleston Police Department requested the investigation, and the case will be prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Chavis had worked for the Charleston Police Department for three years and was assigned to the Patrol Division, according to ABC News 4. That timeline shows the case moving from the Aug. 28 welfare check to disclosure on Sept. 8, termination on Sept. 23, and arrest on Oct. 7 — roughly six weeks from first contact to criminal charge.
Chief Calls Conduct Unacceptable
Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker addressed the case directly, saying the conduct substantiated through the investigation was unacceptable. “Police officers are given authority and access because the public trusts us to use both responsibly,” Walker said, in the statement carried by the same Live 5 News report.
Chavis was released on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond the same day he was arrested, according to The State's reporting. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 20, with another appearance set for March 19, 2027, per that outlet.
