GREENVILLE – A lifelong lawbreaker will spend the next three decades in prison after pleading guilty Thursday morning in Greenville County to charges stemming from a yearlong statewide crime spree, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Friday.
Christopher Taylor, 38, of Mauldin, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from nearly 40 burglaries spanning 11 counties and six South Carolina judicial circuits. Circuit Judge William McMaster then sentenced Taylor to 30 years in prison. Taylor was represented by Fletcher Smith of the Greenville County Bar.
Taylor’s crime spree began in July 2021 and continued until his arrest in June 2022. Taylor committed burglaries in South Carolina’s 1st Judicial Circuit (Calhoun County), 7th Judicial Circuit (Spartanburg County), 8th Judicial Circuit (Greenwood, Laurens and Newberry counties), 10th Judicial Circuit (Anderson and Oconee counties), 11th Judicial Circuit (Edgefield and McCormick counties), and 13th Judicial Circuit (Greenville and Pickens counties).
Taylor’s arrest highlights extensive cooperation among South Carolina’s law enforcement agencies in connecting Taylor’s crimes across multiple counties. After stumping investigators for nearly a year, the case broke when Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to use FLOCK cameras to track Taylor down following a break-in at the Pavan Food Store along Bypass 72 in Greenwood County. When investigators questioned Taylor about the break-in, he confessed. After further questioning regarding a large number of burglaries with a similar modus operandi, Taylor confessed to nearly 40 break-ins across the 11 counties.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of the many agencies involved in breaking the case and securing the lengthy prison sentence, particularly 13th Circuit Deputy Solicitor Brian Moroney for his work in coordinating the resolution of the case and court scheduling. Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigators, in particular Lt. Matthew Womack and Detective Michael Belcher, were instrumental in identifying Taylor as the perpetrator and tying together the multiple incidents across the state.
COLUMBIA – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office will prosecute Rosali Fernandez Cruz, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador charged in the hit-and-run that led to the death of 21-year-old University of South Carolina student Nathanial “Nate” Baker, a native of Virginia.
“This is a tragic situation, and our hearts go out to the family of Nate Baker, who had a bright future ahead of him,” said Attorney General Wilson. “His family sent him from Virginia to South Carolina to attend his parents’ alma mater and pursue his education. The individual charged in this case is an illegal immigrant ordered to be deported over seven years ago.”
Baker, a junior business major and active leader in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, was riding his motorcycle Wednesday, April 2, when he collided with the suspect at the intersection of Blossom and Assembly Streets. Cruz, driving a pickup truck, fled the scene and was arrested shortly after by the Columbia Police Department. He now faces multiple charges, including:
Authorities have confirmed Cruz is in the country illegally and has had an order for removal since 2018. Attorney General Wilson’s office is coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to ensure there are no loopholes or escapes from justice.
“Illegal immigration is one of the top priorities for the state of South Carolina,” said Attorney General Wilson. “As the state’s top prosecutor, I will always make it a priority to enforce the law. Our office will prosecute this case directly. Law and order, border security, and the safety of South Carolina and the nation’s families are of utmost importance to me and my office. The people of this state expect action, and this office will ensure the rule of law is respected and enforced.”
After Cruz’s arrest, an active Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer was placed on him. This should result in his deportation back to El Salvador once the criminal process is completed.
Attorney General Wilson stresses all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty under the law.
