Greenwood, S.C.; March 19, 2021 – Three men were sentenced to a total of 30 years each after pleading guilty Thursday to several charges related to a string of violent armed robberies that occurred just before Christmas in 2019, 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo announced Friday morning.
Raheem Markevious Lukie, 28, Kevis Trai Hawkins, 26, and Ry’shed Dramon Lukie, 27, each pleaded guilty on Thursday afternoon to a litany of charges including kidnapping, attempted murder, armed robbery, assault and battery, and weapons charges. Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox then sentenced each of the defendants to 15 active years in prison with no parole, followed by a consecutive 15 years in prison suspended upon completion of five years of probation when released. The case was scheduled for trial during the upcoming term of court in May.
In December 2019, the three men were responsible for victimizing dozens of people during a string of at least five separate armed robberies spanning Abbeville and Greenwood counties. The three men went into several businesses, including Quick Way in Abbeville and Quick Credit and Lee’s Nail Salon in Greenwood. In each of the instances, the three men held their victims at gunpoint while they stole everything of value the victims had on their persons. One of the victims was a child under the age of 10 who had her money stolen along with the adults.
Deputy Solicitor Yates Brown prosecuted the case for the state with the assistance of 8th Circuit Investigator Chris Wilkie and 8th Circuit Victim Advocate Sarah Parris. Raheen Lukie was represented by Aaron Taylor of the Greenwood County Bar. Kevis Hawkins was represented by Michael Gambrell of the Greenwood County Bar. Ry’shed Lukie was represented by Tristan Shaffer of the 8th Circuit Public Defender’s Office.
Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff along with the stellar investigative work done by Inv. Duane Balchin of the Abbeville Police Department, Capt. Martin Haralson and Sgt. William Kay of the Greenwood Police Department, and Inv. Matthew Womack of the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, to achieve the convictions and lengthy prison sentences.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to send three violent criminals to long prison sentences during our first week of court operations resuming,” Solicitor Stumbo said. “Our law-abiding citizens, including children in this case, deserve better than armed criminals traumatizing them with the selfish acts committed here. We hope this sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this type of violent behavior in our communities any longer.”