Woman pleads guilty to ID theft

GREENVILLE — A woman accused of stealing a missing South Carolina woman's identity to get into an Ivy League school has pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.

Esther Elizabeth Reed admitted to the ruse Tuesday in federal court in Greenville. She faces up to 47 years in prison and $1 million in fines for the ID theft, mail fraud, wire fraud and loan fraud charges. A sentencing date was not set.

Reed was indicted last year, accused of using Brooke Henson's identity to get into Columbia University.

Prosecutors have said Reed juggled six false identities to attend school in California. In 2004, she used Henson's name to get student loans when she began attending Columbia.

Investigators do not think Reed had anything to do with the Henson's 1999 disappearance.

Search continues for killer

CHARLESTON — The search continues for whoever gunned down a Colleton County sheriff's deputy responding to a home burglar alarm almost two weeks ago.

Deputy Dennis Compton was shot Aug. 6 at an unoccupied home near the rural community of Smoaks. He was 39.

State Law Enforcement Division spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons says agents are still ''searching, investigating and chasing leads.''

Last week, the county posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.

Timmons says while the reward resulted in several tips, the investigation continues.

She says anyone with information should call a tip line at 843-549-1203. They can also call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.

Tall ship damaged

CHARLESTON — The tall ship Spirit of South Carolina was disabled by lightning but apparently didn't suffer a direct hit while sailing in Rhode Island last month.

That's the latest from the South Carolina Maritime Foundation, which operates the sailing ship based in Charleston.

The Spirit was sailing in a squall July 27 when there was a bright flash and its engines and electronics went out.

Charges dropped in cheering cases

ROCK HILL — Disorderly conduct charges have been dropped against seven people arrested after officials say they disrupted high school graduation ceremonies by cheering while names were being read.

The Herald of Rock Hill reported Tuesday that charges were dismissed after the defendants wrote apologies for their behavior.

Attorney Harry Collins and Rock Hill prosecutor Chris Barton say an eighth person arrested likely will get the same deal, but he has been unable to sign an apology because he was in a traffic accident.

Those arrested were attending graduations for Fort Mill, York Comprehensive and Northwestern high schools. School officials have said that inappropriate cheering has become a growing problem at the ceremonies.

Man drowns In Lake Keowee

SENECA — Oconee County officials say a preliminary investigation shows an 85- year-old Seneca man drowned in Lake Keowee.

Coroner Karl Addis says Harry Ralph Geist of Seneca was swimming with his son in the lake on Sunday when the pontoon boat they had been on began to drift away.

Addis says Geist told his son he thought he could make it back to the boat but struggled and went under the surface.

Emergency medical service workers were unable to revive him after his son got him to shore.

An autopsy was planned.

(Associated Press)