TROY EDWARD COOPER ... Freed late Tuesday on $5,000 bond A Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Deputy was released on $5,000 bond late Tuesday after spending approximately three hours in jail following his booking on a charge of misconduct in office.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) alleged in an arrest warrant that Troy Edward Cooper, 56, of Union Highway, engaged in "inappropriate activity with a confidential source in exchange for monies, contraband and illegal narcotics" while acting in his official capacity as a Cherokee County sheriff's deputy between March 2008 and Aug. 14, 2009.

In a separate press release, SLED specifically said Cooper was accused of exchanging drugs for sex with a female confidential informant.

Sheriff Bill Blanton, who couldn't comment on the case or allegations when reached Tuesday night, was able to confirm that Cooper was terminated and that he had requested the SLED investigation of the deputy.

SLED spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons also confirmed Blanton requested the probe.

Cherokee County Detention Center records show Cooper was booked into the county jail at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday and was released at 9:05 p.m.

Cooper was booked into the jail at about the same time that about 100 local law enforcement officers and their families were celebrating at the annual 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner, during which numerous officers received accolades for their work and public service.

A telephone message left for Cooper on Thursday was not returned.

Cherokee County personnel records show Cooper was hired as a corrections officer effective March 1, 2004 and that he became a sheriff's deputy effective April 4, 2008.

The "confidental source" is not identified, directly or indirectly, in either the warrant or the SLED press release about Cooper's arrest.

The warrant says the facts of the case "were corroborated through recorded telephone conversations."

Cooper's duties within the sheriff's office included courtroom security at the Cherokee County Courthouse and the service of civil paperwork.

SLED said in a press release the 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office was assisting with the investigation, but solicitor's office spokesman Murray Glenn said the office would not be handling the case going forward.

"The case will be referred to the Attorney General's Office in accordance

with our office policy for officer-involved investigations," he said. "We offered some legal advice on the front end of this case because the timing was of essence. The Attorney General's Office will be responsible for all of the decisions related to the prosecution."

According to SLED, misconduct in office is an offense punishable at the discretion of the court.

Cooper is accused of engaging in "inappropriate activity with a confidential source in exchange for monies, contraband and illegal narcotics"

According to SLED, misconduct in office is an offense punishable at the discretion of the court.