Ex-Beaufort County deputy who pointed gun at teens loses bid to dismiss charges

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - All five charges against former Beaufort County deputy William “Billy” Squires were bound over to a grand jury following a preliminary hearing where his defense unsuccessfully argued for dismissal.

Squires faces four counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person and breach of peace, aggravated in nature, stemming from a September incident where he pointed his gun at four juveniles while off-duty.

Defense argues officer authority

Defense attorneys argued Squires had authority as a commissioned officer to stop the juveniles and that his actions were reasonable based on information he received from neighbor Brian Henry Stahlheber.

Lead SLED investigator Peter Rudofski testified that Stahlheber told Squires “a group of juveniles had a gun” before the incident.

The defense characterized the encounter as a “traffic stop” and argued Squires was “just doing his job as a commissioned officer,” questioning investigators about use-of-force protocols and whether officers can draw weapons during stops.

Evidence of intoxication presented

Investigators presented evidence that Squires was under the influence during the incident, including video surveillance from Hudson’s Seafood House showing him drinking and witness statements.

Rudofski testified Squires had “about 3 beers over the course of 4-5 hours” and “received 5 beers at Hudson’s.”

Squires admitted to talking with the juveniles and changing into his sheriff’s office gear but did not report the incident, according to testimony.

Questions about evidence

Defense attorneys questioned whether a black book bag carried by one of the juveniles was large enough to hold a gun and asked about a gun magazine.

Rudofski testified that the book bag was not taken into evidence and that Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office documentation showed no magazine was found, though co-defendant Stahlheber claimed he saw a magazine.

The defense argued Squires had probable cause based on the weapon allegation and that his actions became reasonable once “the juveniles resisted arrest.”

State argues actions unreasonable

Prosecutors countered that “nothing that Squires did was reasonable.”

The judge found sufficient probable cause to bind all charges over to a grand jury.

Squires was fired from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office after the incident for violating the department’s code of conduct.

Stahlheber, 47, faces charges of breach of peace, aggravated in nature, and making a false complaint to a law enforcement officer. His preliminary hearing was scheduled to follow Squires’ hearing.

Neighbor’s charges also advance

Brian Stahlheber, 47, also had his charges bound over to a grand jury after a separate preliminary hearing.

Stahlheber faces charges of breach of peace, aggravated in nature, and making a false complaint to a law enforcement officer.

Investigators testified that Stahlheber, under the influence of alcohol, approached the juveniles on a four-wheeler and assisted Squires after telling him about a possible weapon.

Contradictory statements about weapon

Testimony revealed Stahlheber made contradictory statements to law enforcement about whether he saw a weapon.

Initially, Stahlheber claimed the juveniles were “flashing a gun with an extended clip” during his first interview with investigators. He later changed his statement, saying he didn’t see a gun and that “the posturing of the juvenile made him think there was a gun.”

Investigators testified Stahlheber told law enforcement he “wanted to mess with them” and held down one of the juveniles, applying “choking pressure.”

Video evidence presented

Investigators presented video evidence from Meta glasses that recorded the incident from both Stahlheber’s and the juveniles’ perspectives.

The videos showed Stahlheber drinking and contradicted his initial statement to law enforcement, according to testimony.

Stahlheber said his “level of intoxication was high” and that “everything that happened was a blur.”

Defense challenges evidence collection

Stahlheber’s defense questioned investigators about digital forensics procedures and why cell phones weren’t collected or social media accounts preserved.

The defense suggested videos and photos may have been altered and argued there was insufficient evidence for probable cause.

Defense attorneys also questioned whether the juveniles were trespassing and referenced a law allowing citizens to assist law enforcement officers when ordered.

Motion to dismiss denied

Stahlheber’s defense moved to dismiss the breach of peace charge, arguing that violence must be present and that insufficient evidence existed for probable cause.

The prosecution said that violence doesn’t always have to be present for it to be aggravated in nature.

The judge said a jury would need to determine the answers to the defense’s questions and bound both charges over to a grand jury.

Neither Squires nor Stahlheber appeared in court for their hearings.