Melissa McCoy, 38, pled guilty to first degree assault and battery in Dillon County General Sessions
Court on Tuesday, Apri 23, 2024. Circuit Court Judge Kirk Griffin sentenced McCoy to 6.5 years in prison.
“Our police officers are already overworked and underpaid,” said Assistant Solicitor Shipp Daniel,
who prosecuted the case. “The last thing they need is for someone to attempt to evade arrest by spraying lighter
fluid on the officer and attempting to light him on fire. 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 execute a lawful arrest warrant on McCoy. After a
brief chase around her house, McCoy sprayed lighter fluid on one of the officers, including in his eyes, and then
attempted to light him on fire.
Law enforcement was in agreement with the plea and the sentence, of which McCoy must serve at
least 55%.
