Former Lexington police officer charged with illegally buying silencers: SLED

A now-former Lexington police officer falsely claimed to be on official business in order to avoid paying taxes when he purchased seven silencers, according to SLED.

James Edward Chambers Jr. was charged with official misconduct and two counts of obtaining goods under false pretenses for the improper purchases, according to a statement from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. SLED investigated the case following a request from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Chambers “did not have authorization from LPD (Lexington Police Department) to conduct any of the transactions,” according to a warrant.

Warrants released by SLED detail how between March and September 2021, Chambers repeatedly used falsified Lexington Police Department letterhead to obtain the silencers, also called suppressors, from legitimate businesses without paying a federal tax.

Federal law requires that a $200 “tax stamp” be paid for the purchase of silencers.

On July 25, 2021, Chambers submitted a “fictitious letter” to Rugged Design, a suppressor company located in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, according to a warrant. In the letter, Chambers requested silencers “on behalf of the LPD’s SWAT unit for testing.” On Sept. 10, 2021, Rugged Design sent him three silencers, saving Chambers $600 in tax stamps.

On March 18 and Aug. 11, Chambers used the “fictitious letterhead” to purchase four silencers from Kilo Charlie Weaponry in Lexington, saving himself $800 in taxes, according to the warrant.

Among the silencers purchased, according to SLED, were a Dead Air Sandman K, two Yankee Hill Inc. Turbo Ks and a Rugged Obsidian 9.

Chambers was booked at the Lexington County Detention Center, according to SLED. No information about bond has been made available.

The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.