Wagener, August 20, 2025

News Summary

Two former fire chiefs of Wagener, David Watson and Joseph Mark Redd, have been arrested following allegations of financial mismanagement within the fire department. Their arrests stem from serious fraud charges, including misconduct and breach of trust. Both men are accused of misappropriating funds for personal gain, resulting in significant financial strain on the department. This incident has raised concerns about the department’s leadership and operational stability, prompting ongoing investigations by local authorities.

Wagener – Two former fire chiefs for the town of Wagener have been arrested on fraud charges following an investigation into financial mismanagement within the fire department. David Watson, 52, from Neeses, and Joseph Mark Redd, 66, from Wagener, were taken into custody on August 19, 2025, by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

Both men were initially listed as inmates at the Aiken County jail but posted bond shortly thereafter. Redd, who served as chief for over 20 years before his dismissal in November 2020, is facing serious charges, including misconduct in office and breach of trust with a value between $2,000 and $10,000. An arrest warrant for Redd states that he misappropriated funds from a Town of Wagener bank account for personal financial gain. He allegedly wrote checks to himself and family members and utilized town funds to purchase firearm components, amounting to approximately $7,369.94.

The specific breakdown of alleged expenditures includes around $6,200 labeled as “loans,” additional checks totaling about $750, and $419.94 spent on firearm parts. Meanwhile, Watson, who resigned from his position in October 2023, is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent, relating to claims for overtime pay fraudulently obtained while he served as a maintenance supervisor for the Town of Wagener. Watson is accused of claiming 1,700 hours of overtime from June 30, 2022, to October 4, 2023, a total exceeding $42,000, without providing substantiating documents for his claims.

The arrest of Watson and Redd comes amid troubling allegations of financial misconduct that have plagued the Wagener Fire Department. This scandal has contributed to instability within the department and raised concerns about its efficacy in emergency response situations. The firing of Redd in 2020 was particularly impactful, leading to a wave of resignations and increased leadership challenges within the fire department. Recently, Hendrik Swanepoel was appointed as the current fire chief in an effort to stabilize operations.

Additionally, the allegations of misappropriation of fire department funds have prompted an investigation by the Aiken County Council and have also led to inquiries from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The investigation aims to address the financial issues that have been detrimental to the department’s functionality.

A court date for both Redd and Watson has been scheduled for October 24, 2025, as the judicial process continues to unfold in this significant case of alleged fraud within local government positions.

Background Context

Financial mismanagement has been a persistent issue within the Wagener Fire Department, particularly following Redd’s termination. His dismissal not only raised eyebrows but also coincided with a cascading series of resignations that left the department in a vulnerable position. Leadership stability and effective emergency response capabilities are paramount for public safety, making the current investigation all the more pressing for community stakeholders.

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Additional Resources

• WJBF News
• Wikipedia: Wagener, South Carolina
• WRDW News
• Google Search: Wagener Fire Department arrest
• The Augusta Press
• Google Scholar: Wagener fire chiefs arrest
• Post and Courier
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wagener Fire Department
• WFXG News
• Google News: Wagener Fire Department

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