On Tuesday afternoon at around 1:20pm (during the peak of the storm rolling through the area), Newberry County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a homeowner in the Lake Murray area, seeing that their lake home was being broken into on surveillance cameras.

The homeowner was able to send photos and a description of the suspects and the vehicle to law enforcement. They also noted what items were stolen.

Once the homeowner provided pictures of the suspects, a deputy that was familiar with the community recognized one of the suspects and deputies began an extensive search in the area during the driving rainstorm.

While searching the area, deputies located the vehicle and suspects on Dreher Island Road.

Both individuals were taken into custody and found to be in possession of the stolen items in the back seat of the vehicle. “We were very fortunate to have school resource officers out working yesterday to assist with patrol,” said Sheriff Lee Foster.

Sheriff Lee Foster identifies the two suspects as Darius James Johnson, 28, of 36 Sunview Road, Prosperity and Laura Moran, 50, of 77 Sun Rise Lane, Prosperity.

“These two individuals have no respect for the property of others and only care about themselves,” said Sheriff Foster.

Johnson plead guilty to a lesser offense of Receiving Stolen Goods by the Eighth Circuit Solicitors Office in August 2023. This is just another example of the effects of offering leniency to someone that has chosen a life of lawlessness and spits in the eye of the system that has to protect victims.

Darius Johnson is being charged with Burglary 3rd Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree, two counts of Larceny Enhancement, Criminal Conspiracy, and Possession of Meth.

Laura Moran is being charged with Burglary 3rd Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree, two counts of Larceny Enhancement, and Criminal Conspiracy.

Johnson and Moran are both being detained at the Newberry County Detention Center pending due course of law.