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Two people are charged with manslaughter in the drug-related death of a young Barnwell mother.
Sydney Joyner, 20, died Dec. 16, 2022, as a result of fentanyl toxicity. An investigation by the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) resulted in the arrests of Racheal Ashley Rountree, 30, of Graniteville, for Voluntary Manslaughter and Joshua Ryan Olive, 40, of Ridgeway, for Involuntary Manslaughter. Rountree was arrested Feb. 7 by BCSO deputies with the assistance of a SLED fugitive team while Olive was arrested Feb. 10 in Aiken County.
“While arrests have been made, the investigation of this case continues and limited details are being released,” said BCSO Chief Deputy Darlene Cook.
When asked about the difference in charges for the two suspects – voluntary versus involuntary – Sheriff Steve Griffith said, “It’s in the details. The details are what we can’t give out yet.”
Expanding upon that, Chief Deputy Cook said, “The subjects were charged based on the elements of the crime determined by the role they played in the death of Joyner.”
Both suspects were booked at the Barnwell County Detention Center prior to a bond hearing.
If bond was granted, the state asked the judge to give the maximum bond allowed and require electronic monitoring for both Olive and Rountree.
“We think he’s a danger to the community because of the sale of fentanyl which is killing our young people left and right,” said BCSO Investigator Chuck Arbogast during Olive’s bond hearing on Feb. 11. “We believe he’s a flight risk. He has no ties to Barnwell County.”
Prior to his arrest last week, Olive was wanted by S.C. Department of Probation and Parole for never reporting for a previous case. They had been looking for him since May 2022.
Olive has an extensive history starting in 1999, including convictions for Possession of Less than 28 Grams Marijuana/Hash, Driving Under the Influence, first offense, Driving Without a License, Criminal Domestic Violence, first offense, multiple counts of Petit Larceny, Use of Vehicle Without Permission with Intent to Deprive the Owner, Financial Transaction Card Fraud less than $500, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance Schedule 1-4, Receiving Stolen Goods $2000 or less, multiple counts of Driving Under Suspension, according to Arbogast.
“I apologize for whatever happened, but I didn’t have anything to do with what they say I did. That’s the God honest truth. Somebody put me there when I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I wish I could take it back. It wasn’t me who gave them the dope. I am sorry,” said Olive during his hearing.
“Look at his rap sheet. He keeps getting out and you say you’re sorry. You’re not sorry for nothing. You’ve killed other people and will keep doing it if you get out,” said Joyner’s mother, Michelle Mansfield.
After hearing all sides, Magistrate Judge Thomas Williams granted Olive a $75,000 surety bond. House arrest and an electronic monitor are requirements of bond, though Olive can leave for appointments with his attorney, doctor or going to church.
Rountree also has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2009 that includes convictions for Simple Assault & Battery, Driving Under Suspension, Breach of Trust, Breach of Trust with Fraud Intent, multiple counts of Burglary, Distribution of Meth, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Possession of Contraband, and Possession of Schedule 1 Drugs, according to a SLED background check.
The People-Sentinel was not present at Rountree’s hearing on Feb. 8, but Chief Magistrate Judge Susan Anderson granted Rountree the same bond and house arrest with electronic monitoring as Olive.
Mansfield was present at both bond hearings to be a voice for her daughter. She’s raising her daughter’s 23-month-old son.
“He goes to her urn crying and saying ‘Mommy’. My baby deserves better than this. Yes, she was an addict. I’m not denying that, but what they did to her is unbelievable. It wasn’t just an overdose,” said Mansfield.
The case was originally handled by the Barnwell Police Department (BPD) since the death occurred in the City of Barnwell; however, Joyner’s family later asked the BCSO to take over the case after failing to get answers from the BPD. The BCSO agreed to investigate and the BPD agreed to hand over the case.
“With fentanyl as deadly as it is, we want dealers to know that if they bring stuff to kill our people – young or old - we are going to stop them and go after them to full extent of the law,” said Sheriff Griffith.
The arrests of Olive and Rountree follow a similar case from 2022.
Angelo Maxwell Grant, 48, of Windsor, was the first person arrested in Barnwell County for manslaughter due to selling drugs that led to a fatal overdose. His arrest by the BCSO on Oct. 12, 2022, was the result of a three-month investigation into the death of a Williston citizen. His bond was denied at the time.
The BCSO will continue to crack down on drugs.
