Ledger Staff Writer

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has closed a case involving a complaint against the Blacksburg Police Department before it ever opened an investigation.

Gary Ralph Maynor Sr. filed the complaint with SLED alleging that Blacksburg police used excessive force against his son, Gary Ralph Maynor Jr., when he was apprehended after allegedly running from officers Feb. 3.

Mike Brown of the SLED office in Columbia said Friday that SLED determined an investigation would not be necessary after hearing from Seventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Michael Morin who reviewed the merits of the complaint.

“(Morin) said he has reviewed the complaint and feels that it does not warrant SLED opening an investigation,” Brown said. “We have closed our case.”

The allegations made by Maynor Sr. were denied by Blacksburg Police Chief Jamie Ham and the officers involved as well as a nearby neighbor who witnessed the arrest.

Maynor Sr. and his son were detained following a traffic stop after officers determined both men had active warrants.

Maynor Jr. ran from police and was apprehended by Ham. Maynor Sr. claims the police chief placed his knee in his son’s back before grabbing his son by the hair and rubbing his face in the ground.

Blacksburg Police Department Officer Paul Wilkins injured his shoulder during the chase and is undergoing therapy and might require surgery.

Maynor Sr. had no comment.