Man who gave THC gummies to kids at SC facility out of job, officials say

A former correctional officer at a detention center for minors in Columbia was arrested Monday after he was fired for providing contraband to detained youth, according to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

Anthony Joseph Livingston, a 44-year-old Blythewood resident, was charged with adult furnishing contraband to a juvenile in custody and misconduct in office, DJJ officials said in a news release.

An investigation showed that while working at the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center, Livingston provided youth with THC gummies, according to the release. Livingston was dismissed from his position at the facility for youth who have been convicted of crimes following DJJ’s investigation, officials said. That investigation ultimately led to the arrest warrant, according to the release.

There was no word about when the crime began, or how long it lasted.

Livingston was briefly behind bars after he surrendered Monday to law enforcement at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, DJJ said. Richland County court records show that a $25,000 personal recognizance bond was issued Monday, and Livingston is not currently listed on the jail’s inmate roster.

If convicted on the felony charge of an adult furnishing contraband to a juvenile while in DJJ custody, Livingston faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to South Carolina law.

A conviction on the misconduct in office charge could mean another fine and a maximum punishment of a year in prison, according to South Carolina law.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 9:25 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

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Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription