Demetrius Rankin (Source: Florence County Detention Center)FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - A Florence man was arrested by Florence County deputies for charges related to a fight with a girlfriend in a downtown motel.
Deputies say that fight was between 31-year-old Demetrius Antoine Rankin and his girlfriend in a motel on West Lucas Street in January. Supposedly, Rankin discharged a firearm in the room and threatened to kill his girlfriend, later pointing the gun at a witness in the parking lot to keep them from intervening.
Rankin was arrested on Jan. 29 and charged with discharging a firearm into a dwelling, two counts of pointing and presenting a firearm, possession of a stolen pistol and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Florence County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Mike Nunn says that under South Carolina law, a conviction for discharging a firearm into a dwelling carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000 or both.
Pointing and presenting carries a five year prison sentence. Rankin is being held at the Florence County Detention Center on a $50,000 surety bond.
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