A Democratic politician and local leader was arrested in Sumter, South Carolina on Thursday after police say she faked her kidnapping and beating to win sympathy among voters.
According to police, Sabrina Belcher, a 29-year-old running for mayor in the city, “staged a kidnapping and beating in order to garner publicity, sympathy, and votes in the November election.” She was charged with filing a false police report of a felony and conspiracy.
Christopher James Eaddy, 34, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy in the case, the police said.
Authorities say Belcher met with police around 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday to report that she was assaulted and kidnapped during an attempted robbery. She was beaten and the windows of her car were broken during the alleged robbery attempt.
During their investigation, Belcher allegedly provided a fake name of her attacker. Police said she had coordinated and remained in contact with Eaddy to stage the incident for political gain.
Belcher was broadcasting a Facebook video live when the alleged fake kidnapping happened.
According to police, Belcher was using the video to try to discredit a fellow mayoral candidate. Belcher reportedly had plans to also “smear other mayoral candidates prior to the election.”
Footage of the allegedly fake attack has circulated on social media.
Sabrina Belcher – running for mayor of Stumpter, SC – faked her own kidnapping to get sympathy votes. What is happening to America?!
(She's a Democrat. Naturally.)
https://t.co/FcPpAJfGaT— Mr Reagan 🇺🇸 (@MrReaganUSA) August 22, 2020
“This was simply an effort to create disorder and discontent in our community for personal gain,” said Russell Roark, Sumter’s Chief of Police, in a press release. “As a result, a valuable number of resources, including personnel, man hours of the police department as well as local medical professionals, were wasted based on false information.”
Belcher is still campaigning to be elected mayor of Sumter, running against six other candidates to take the top job of the South Carolina city.
Sumter is home to approximately 40,000 people. Current Mayor Joseph McElveen, Jr. is not seeking re-election.
The Horn editorial team