Sled charges former Lexington police officer with misconduct

Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have announced that a former Lexington police officer is facing multiple charges.

According to SLED, 30-year-old James Edward Chambers Jr. of Lexington, was charged March 15 with official misconduct and two counts of obtaining goods under false pretenses. SLED was requested by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD) to investigate.

Chambers was a member of the Lexington Police Department (LPD) from May 2019 to January 2022. LPD Sergeant Cameron Mortenson said he was terminated from the department for misconduct for lying during an internal investigation over department-issued equipment.

The SC Criminal Justice Academy was notified Jan. 5, 2022 that James Chambers separated from the department due to misconduct. After the termination of James Chambers, LPD was reportedly made aware that he made several purchases of firearms equipment under the guise of department use while employed by the agency. Chief Terrence Green requested an outside agency to investigate the allegations, and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took over the investigation.

Arrest warrants state that Chambers obtained seven firearm suppressors for his own personal use while acting in his official capacity. He did not obtain the federal tax stamp necessary to purchase the equipment.

Chambers was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center and the case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.