UPDATE: SLED to investigate damaged campaign signs for SC sheriff candidate

A candidate for Richland County sheriff said several of his campaign signs have been cut and damaged, and some defaced with racial slurs.

James Flowers, a former State Law Enforcement Division Agent who’s running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Sheriff Leon Lott, said in a news release some signs have been defaced over the past month in the northeast part of the county.

As of Sunday evening, Flowers said Sunday, six signs had been damaged. He also said in a news release, “Signs have also been written on with vulgar, racist themed writing,” though details were not given.

The damage has been reported to authorities at the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and SLED, Flowers told The State newspaper.

Richland County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Lt. Curtis Wilson said the investigation has been turned over to SLED because Flowers is running for sheriff.

“We didn’t want there to be any questions about properly handling the investigation. We turned reports and everything over to them,” Wilson said.

During the most recent incident – a sign damaged Saturday night – Flowers said he caught the suspect on camera and got two pictures, which he forwarded to law enforcement.

Other candidates for other offices have reported vandalism to their signs, and RCSD is handling those investigations.

This story was originally published April 24, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "UPDATE: SLED to investigate damaged campaign signs for SC sheriff candidate."