Bennettsville, South Carolina, September 6, 2025
News Summary
Authorities arrested 33-year-old Darrell Kasey Williams for allegedly orchestrating the murder of De’Andre Rivers while incarcerated. Williams, using a contraband cell phone, coordinated the hit with Quinton Anthony Taylor, who executed the shooting in 2020. The case raises alarming concerns regarding inmates’ ability to plan crimes from prison. Williams is currently facing accessory charges, with a significant sum exchanged for carrying out the execution. Both individuals have a history of criminal activity and are set to appear in court soon.
Bennettsville, South Carolina – A 33-year-old inmate, Darrell Kasey Williams, was arrested on August 25 for his alleged role in orchestrating a murder while incarcerated. Authorities claim he hired Quinton Anthony Taylor to kill 27-year-old De’Andre Rivers from Goose Creek in 2020, making this case particularly alarming due to the involvement of a prison inmate in such serious criminal activities.
Williams is facing an accessory charge for his alleged part in the murder, which took place on May 6, 2020. Police responded to a shooting incident and found Rivers dead from multiple gunshot wounds in a vehicle. Williams reportedly used a contraband cell phone to communicate with Taylor from a state prison in Bennettsville, where he has been serving time.
Investigators contend that between April and May 2020, Williams made several calls and sent texts to Taylor, coordinating the details of the hit. Following the murder, he is accused of arranging for Taylor to receive over $12,000 for carrying out the execution.
On the day of the crime, police found Rivers deceased in a 2010 white Mercedes Benz. Surveillance footage captured a Dodge Ram pickup truck, rented by Taylor, near Rivers’ residence both before and after the shooting. The footage allegedly shows Taylor exiting the truck and firing into Rivers’ vehicle as he left his home. Evidence includes Taylor’s phone being paired with the rented vehicle and the discovery of a tracking device that had been planted on Rivers’ car, further substantiating the claims against both men.
The communication chain supposedly began more than a week prior to the murder, with Taylor allegedly texting Williams with a message indicating the job was completed shortly after the shooting. Following the execution of the murder, Taylor reportedly collected a sum of $12,200 from an associate named Antwan Xavier Grant, who is also involved in a federal drug conspiracy.
Williams has a long history of criminal activity in South Carolina, with prior arrests extending back to when he was just 17 years old. He previously faced involvement in another murder case in 2013 involving the death of 27-year-old D’Andre White, which ultimately was dismissed in 2017. Additionally, he was sentenced to ten years for drug-related charges in 2019 after being credited for time spent in pretrial incarceration.
After further federal investigation, Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in April 2023 and is currently serving a five-year federal prison sentence. His upcoming court appearance regarding the accessory charge is scheduled for mid-October, following his decision to waive a bond hearing after his recent arrest. Taylor is also slated to appear in court regarding his case within the coming weeks.
Background Context
This incident underscores the ongoing issues related to contraband communication devices within the prison system, as well as challenges law enforcement faces in addressing orchestrated criminal activity from behind bars. The use of sophisticated methods such as tracking devices and paid accomplices highlights a concerning trend in violent crime linked to organized schemes.
FAQ
Who is Darrell Kasey Williams?
Darrell Kasey Williams is a 33-year-old inmate who has been arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill De’Andre Rivers while incarcerated.
What charges is Darrell Kasey Williams facing?
Williams is facing an accessory charge related to the murder of De’Andre Rivers, which he allegedly orchestrated from prison.
Who was De’Andre Rivers?
De’Andre Rivers was a 27-year-old individual from Goose Creek who was killed in May 2020, with police discovering him shot dead in a vehicle.
What evidence linked Williams and Taylor to the murder?
Evidence includes surveillance footage of a rented truck used by Taylor, communication between Williams and Taylor before the murder, and a tracking device on Rivers’ car.
What is the current status of Quinton Anthony Taylor?
Quinton Anthony Taylor is expected to appear in court regarding his case in the coming weeks.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Arrest | August 25, 2023 |
| Victim | De’Andre Rivers, 27 |
| Accused | Darrell Kasey Williams |
| Hitman | Quinton Anthony Taylor |
| Criminal Charges | Accessory to murder |
| Evidence | Surveillance footage, text messages, tracking device |
| Next Court Date for Williams | Mid-October 2023 |
| Next Court Date for Taylor | Upcoming weeks |
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4 News
- Wikipedia: Murder for hire
- Post and Courier
- Google Search: Darrell Williams South Carolina
- Live 5 News
- Google Scholar: Prison murder cases
- ABC News 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Justice
- Post and Courier
- Google News: South Carolina crime
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