A 40-minute visit between a Beaufort County councilman and an inmate triggered a weeks-long investigation into possible criminal violations in the county jail.
Now, the 43-page police report detailing the findings of the investigation has been released to the public.
Between Aug. 25 and Oct. 3, investigators examined whether Councilman Tom Reitz or inmate Calvin “Skip” Hoagland committed crimes during an “unauthorized” visit. Ultimately, they found “insufficient evidence” for charges, but the probe uncovered a series of policy lapses, questionable decisions by jail staff and potential ethical violations.
Sheriff P.J. Tanner described the incident as a “perfect storm” of poor judgment that allowed Reitz to enter the detention center with two cell phones, walk freely through low-security areas and meet privately with Hoagland in a room reserved mostly for attorney-client visits.
Lapses at the front desk
Investigators emphasized in the report that the incident “would not have happened” if staff had followed their own policy. A corrections specialist stationed at the front desk twice asked whether Reitz’s visit was legal…