The man accused of orchestrating a kidnapping and murder from a state prison has been transferred to Laurens County. James Robert Peterson, 31, was moved from the State Department of Corrections to Laurens County’s Johnson Detention Center on Tuesday. He is being charged with Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping.

Warrants citing the work of Sheriff’s Investigator Farrah Cook state that on July 20 Robert Peterson did, with malice aforethought, while incarcerated in Kirkland Correctional Facility in Columbia, orchestrate the events that ultimately led to the kidnapping and murder of Michelle M. Dodge. A warrant states the crimes occurred in Gaffney, but the victim was found dead in Laurens County.

The Laurens County Coroner ruled Ms. Dodge died at noon Saturday, July 20. Her body was found later that day in a wooded area off McDaniel Road, several miles south of Laurens.

James Robert Peterson is one of eight people that has been charged with various aspects of the kidnapping and murder of the York woman in Gaffney and leaving her body in Laurens County.