Aiken County, August 22, 2025

News Summary

Jaquaime Washington, a former detention officer at the Aiken County Detention Center, was arrested following allegations of providing contraband to inmates. His employment was terminated after an internal investigation highlighted misconduct. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office has referred the case to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for further inquiry. This incident raises concerns about safety and protocol within correctional facilities in Aiken County.

Aiken, South Carolina

A former detention officer at the Aiken County Detention Center, Jaquaime Washington, has been arrested amid allegations of misconduct while employed at the facility. The charges against Washington include Furnishing Contraband to Prisoners and Misconduct in Office.

The arrest follows an internal investigation that unveiled Washington’s provision of unauthorized items to inmates during his tenure at the Aiken County Detention Center. His employment was terminated on November 6, 2024, after these allegations surfaced. Details regarding the specific nature of the contraband or the duration of Washington’s misconduct remain undisclosed.

The incident has prompted the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office to refer the case to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for further investigation. As of now, there are no additional remarks or updates concerning the implications of this case on the Aiken County Detention Center’s operations or policies.

Recent Severe Weather in Aiken County

In an unrelated incident, severe weather has impacted Aiken County and its surroundings. On August 22, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted scattered thunderstorms with a high of 79°F and a significant chance of rain at 70%. The conditions are expected to bring locally heavy rainfall, with nighttime lows around 71°F and winds from the East-Northeast at speeds of 5 to 10 mph.

A weather alert was issued, warning of strong thunderstorms expected in both Lexington and Aiken counties. These storms carried the potential for wind gusts up to 50 mph, which could lead to tree damage and the displacement of unsecured objects. Areas such as Wagener, Pelion, and Perry were specifically noted as potentially affected by the storm.

Additionally, a tornado confirmed to be an EF1 with peak winds of 90 mph occurred in Aiken County. Regionally, the storm resulted in substantial damage, including a tragic incident in Banks County, Georgia, where Jason Keith Payne, aged 56, was killed when a tree fell upon his vehicle during the severe weather events on the night preceding August 22.

The storm left approximately 4,000 Dominion Energy customers without power in Aiken County, along with around 2,000 Georgia Power customers in Augusta experiencing outages. Overall, rainfall estimates in South Carolina ranged from 2 to 4 inches over a 72-hour period, with certain areas near the Savannah River seeing rainfall as high as 10 inches.

Drought Conditions Improve

Prior to these rain events, about 87% of South Carolina was experiencing some degree of drought. The recent weather conditions are anticipated to alleviate some of the drought’s severity, providing much-needed relief. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has expressed condolences regarding the storm-related death and emphasized support for affected families and first responders.

Conclusion

The arrest of Jaquaime Washington highlights ongoing issues of misconduct in correctional facilities, while the severe weather has significantly impacted the local community. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office continues to address both situations, but details on the next steps regarding Washington’s charges and the long-term effects of the storm remain pending.

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HERE Resources

Former Aiken County Officer Arrested for Providing Contraband
Aiken Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure at Grocery Store
Shocking Arrests and Legal Twists in North Augusta, S.C.

Additional Resources

• The State
• Wikipedia: Weather
• WRDW
• Google Search: Aiken South Carolina weather
• WJBF NewsChannel 6
• Google Scholar: Severe weather effects
• Fox Weather
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
• WFXG Fox 54
• Google News: Aiken County

Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN

The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.