A routine effort to clear out the office of a South Carolina sheriff who died unexpectedly has led to an investigation into nearly $49,000 in missing drug-seizure cash, according to state investigators. (https://www.wmbfnews.com)

Authorities say that after Dillon County Sheriff Douglas "Humbunny" Pernell died from a sudden cardiac event in August 2023, deputies and family members cleaning out his office forced open a locked desk drawer after they couldn't locate a key. Inside, they reportedly found multiple sealed evidence bags containing cash—some were intact, while others had been cut open, partially emptied, or left completely empty. (AOL)

The discovery prompted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to launch an investigation into how seized drug money had been handled during Pernell's administration.

According to investigators, several deputies told SLED they were instructed to hand all seized drug money directly to the sheriff rather than following the agency's normal evidence procedures. The investigation also found that required documentation and tracking records were often missing, raising concerns about accountability and oversight. (AOL)

The report concluded that approximately $49,000 in seized funds could not be accounted for. Because Sheriff Pernell died before the investigation began, no criminal charges were filed against him. The findings have renewed calls for stronger safeguards over evidence handling and asset forfeiture practices within law enforcement agencies. (https://www.wmbfnews.com)

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