The chief for New Ellenton Police Department has resigned as SLED investigates domestic cases between him and his wife, authorities said.
Chief Shawn Middleton resigned Friday from the police department that he has led since April 2022. A city message on Facebook says Sgt. Joshua Solomon has been appointed as interim chief.
Middleton has been the subject of four domestic calls between him and his wife. The wife complained about threats in light of harassing messages about her husband cheating on her. At one point, she even went to the mayor.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office turned the matter over to the State Law Enforcement Division, according to sheriff’s Capt. Eric Abdullah. Chief Middleton had previously worked for the sheriff’s office from November 2019 to April 2022. Before that, he was a lieutenant with New Ellenton Police.
In March, Chief Middleton called the sheriff’s office to Lybrand Court in Aiken, where he wanted officers on scene while he retrieved property due to him and his wife splitting up. While there, the wife arrived and said the couple had been arguing about the separation when Chief Middleton said “she makes him want to choke her sometimes,” a report says. The chief said he was just speaking his mind and would never hurt her. No arrest was made.
On May 29, the wife contacted the sheriff’s office about someone texting her to inform her that Chief Middleton was cheating on her. The chief denied cheating to deputies and said he didn’t know why she was receiving those messages. He was again getting his belongings to leave the home.
On May 31, the wife called the deputies again to reveal more about the texts and alleged cheating. When deputies arrived, she was distraught and sobbing. She said she had gone through her husband’s work phone in March.
“Under the blocked messages tab, she observed an ongoing conversation dating back to January to March,” a report says. “Several times in the conversation, it seemed to be sexual in nature.”
Chief Middleton reportedly told his wife that it was the mother of a boy he was mentoring, and he called the mother “crazy.” That argument led Mrs. Middleton to confront the mayor.
“The mayor said the texts did seem conflicting and stated Shawn can no longer respond to calls at the residence (that the mentor’s mother) lives at or have contact with her son,” the sheriff’s report says.
A couple weeks passed before they argued about it again, when Chief Middleton allegedly told his wife that he “felt like killing her,” the report says. But they worked things out on March 26 and he returned to the home. But weeks later, Chief Middleton got a phone call, which he confessed to his wife was about the boy he was mentoring. Then, on May 29, Mrs. Middleton got a text from a random number that said, “How does it feel to share your husband?” It came from the same number she found on her husband’s phone.
The wife also reported random cars driving by her house and honking the horn, which made her feel unsafe.
Last Thursday, Mrs. Middleton again called the sheriff’s office for a well-being check on her husband after he sent her a text.
“Tell the kids I’m sorry,” he reportedly texted.
Chief Middleton told deputies that he was very upset after losing his job. He said he contacted his pastor, who came over and counseled him.
“Reporting officer found victim in a good state of mind and was with friends when reporting officer left the scene,” the deputy’s report said.
(Note: If you have a better photo of Chief Middleton to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)
