LATTA, SC (WBTW) – Latta Police Chief Crystal Moore has been suspended from her position with the town.
Councilman Edward Bethea confirmed Tuesday morning that Moore has been suspended. Bethea said it is a personnel matter and “no other details will be released at this time.”
Latta Town Administrator Jarrett Taylor said Derrick Cartwright has been named interim police chief for the next five days. Taylor would not explain the five day period or what happens at the end of five days, citing a personnel matter.
WBTW contacted Moore who said she is speaking with her lawyer today, but could not release any details into the matter.
Moore recently announced her candidacy for Dillon County Sheriff and is trying to become the first elected female sheriff in the state as well as the first openly gay person to win.
Moore said earlier this month that she knows the November election will be tough, but she has beaten the odds before. Just two years ago, residents in Latta rallied around Moore after the mayor fired her. He was later caught on a recording ranting that he would trust a drunk with a child before a lesbian.
When the tape surfaced, residents voted in a special election to strip the mayor of his power and the Town Council rehired Moore.
Now Moore is running for sheriff in Dillon County, which is probably best known for its South of the Border rest stop on Interstate 95.
