Barnwell, South Carolina, August 22, 2025
News Summary
Ty’Ran Dixon, a former Newberry College football player, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office after being wrongfully imprisoned for two months. His arrest was linked to a murder he did not commit, highlighting critical failures in the investigation process. Despite evidence pointing to another suspect, Dixon faced 67 days of detention, including time in solitary confinement. His lawsuit calls for accountability and aims to raise awareness about the impacts of wrongful arrests on individuals and their lives.
Barnwell, South Carolina – Ty’Ran Dixon, a former football player for Newberry College, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office and its deputies after being wrongfully imprisoned for two months in connection with a murder he did not commit. Dixon alleges that critical failures in the investigation process led to his wrongful arrest, highlighting a significant miscarriage of justice.
Dixon’s lawsuit specifically names Sheriff Steven Griffith and other law enforcement officials as defendants, marking his second legal action against the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office. His lawyers state that essential errors and a lack of diligence during the investigation incorrectly implicated him in the murder of Jasmine Roach, which occurred nearly a year prior to his arrest in August 2024.
Following his arrest, Dixon spent a total of 67 days in jail despite the absence of evidence linking him to the crime. Remarkably, information identifying the actual suspect—Ty’Ren Dickson, a man who weighs approximately 180 pounds—was available within 12 hours of Roach’s murder. Despite the evident mix-up, no action was taken promptly to prevent Dixon’s wrongful detention.
The investigation that followed Dixon’s arrest revealed numerous missteps, including internal discussions among officers who questioned whether they had indeed arrested the correct individual. These discussions surfaced only after a warrant had already been issued for Dixon’s arrest, and the lack of follow-up actions, such as showing a witness in custody Dixon’s photograph, further compounded the errors.
Dixon had just returned from Finland, where he was engaging in professional football, when he was detained at Boston Logan Airport on September 30, 2024. At the time of the murder, he was attending his college’s homecoming event and had never even visited Barnwell County. His wrongful imprisonment led to his transfer between five different prisons and a harrowing three-week period spent in solitary confinement, where he faced unsanitary conditions and potential exposure to dangerous individuals.
After spending extensive time in Massachusetts jails, law enforcement eventually acknowledged the mistake during his transport to Barnwell County. This acknowledgment came after considerable time had elapsed, and Dixon’s lawsuit asserts negligence, false arrest, and violations of his civil rights. A formal apology has yet to be issued by law enforcement agencies involved in his wrongful incarceration.
Dixon’s attorneys assert that had the deputies conducted fundamental investigative measures, such as searching Dixon’s name online, they would have confirmed his innocence. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to raise awareness about the implications of wrongful arrests on individuals’ lives, particularly highlighting the lost time experienced by Dixon as a young professional athlete.
The case underscores the ongoing issues of misidentification and procedural shortcomings within law enforcement agencies, raising critical questions about their accountability and the impact of their actions on innocent individuals.
FAQ
What led to Ty’Ran Dixon’s wrongful imprisonment?
Ty’Ran Dixon was wrongfully imprisoned due to a series of investigative failures by the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office, leading to his arrest based on mistaken identity in the murder case of Jasmine Roach. Information identifying the real suspect was available shortly after the murder.
What does Dixon’s lawsuit aim to achieve?
Dixon’s lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and aims to raise awareness about wrongful arrests and their impact on innocent individuals. It emphasizes the need for law enforcement agencies to adopt better investigative practices.
How long did Dixon spend in jail?
Ty’Ran Dixon spent a total of 67 days in jail before his wrongful imprisonment was acknowledged by law enforcement.
What conditions did Dixon endure during his imprisonment?
During his imprisonment, Dixon was transferred to five different prisons and spent three weeks in solitary confinement, where he encountered dangerous inmates and unsanitary living conditions, including rodent infestations.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Steven Griffith, and other deputies |
| Murder Case | Jasmine Roach murder case |
| Duration of Imprisonment | 67 days |
| Real Suspect | Ty’Ren Dickson |
| Legal Action | Federal civil rights lawsuit |
| Conditions of Jail | 5 facilities, 3 weeks in solitary confinement, unsanitary conditions |
| Objectives of Lawsuit | Compensation, raise awareness of wrongful arrests |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
U.S. Government Acknowledges Mistaken Deportation Case
Additional Resources
- WISTV: Former Newberry College Football Player Files Second Lawsuit Over Wrongful Arrest
- People: Former NFL Player Marcellus Wiley Accused of Raping 2 Women at Columbia University
- The State: Ty’Ran Dixon’s Lawsuit Against Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office
- Fox News: 2 Women Accuse Marcellus Wiley of Rape While Attending Columbia
- Wikipedia: Mistaken Identity
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
