Jerome Heyward held his hands in prayer, pressing them to his lips, as friends and family members asked a judge for mercy on his behalf in a packed, federal courtroom in Charleston Tuesday.
Judge Richard Gergel sentenced the former North Charleston city councilman to six years in prison for using his public office for personal gain. The 63-year-old pled guilty last year to a 14-count indictment that included bribery, attempted extortion, and money laundering.
“He made some awful decisions,” said Heyward’s attorney and longtime friend Andy Savage. “He chose a path of destruction by allowing himself to be tempted to take the bribes.”
But Emily Limehouse, the senior litigation counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, says Heyward didn’t just make bad decisions, he orchestrated several money-making schemes with seven others, including two fellow city councilmembers.
“Mr. Heyward knows how to flirt with the law,” she said.
Corruption schemes
Investigators say they uncovered three corruption schemes between 2023 and 2025. They say Heyward was the “ringleader.”
The first, they say, involved an unnamed businessman Heyward tried to swindle in exchange for action on city council. Instead, the man tipped off the FBI and agents listened in on calls between he and Heyward.
In a second scheme, authorities say Heyward conspired with then, fellow councilman Mike A. Brown and lobbyist Aaron Hickes to rezone property for a boat manufacturer. The move was expected to be unpopular with residents.
And the third scheme, investigators say, involved Heyward securing grants for non-profits as the city tried to curb gun violence. The founder of one of those nonprofits has since admitted he gave Heyward money in exchange for the councilman’s help.
“The word that comes to mind is brazen,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Bryan Stirling about the crimes during a press conference.
As part of his sentence, Heyward was also ordered to pay restitution and complete mental health treatment. He told the judge he suffers from depression following his mother’s death last year.
“I felt like I was responsible for her spiraling out,” he said.
Heyward, who’s been out on bond, was immediately taken into custody. Several supporters gasped and cried as he was handcuffed and led away.
Co-defendants
So far, six co-defendants have pled guilty and been sentenced.
- Former councilman Mike A. Brown was given two years for accepting a bribe in exchange for his support of a rezoning application.
- Aaron Hicks was sentenced to 15 months for his role in bribery schemes.
- Former councilman Sandino Moses received two years of probation for failing to return a bribe and trying to cover it up.
- Nonprofit directors Michelle Stent-Hilton and Donavan Moten were each sentenced to 18 months for paying kickbacks in exchange for support of their grant applications.
- Hason “Tory Fields” was sentenced to one year and a day for conspiracy and bribery related charges.
An eighth defendant, Rose Lorenzo, has also pleaded guilty but has yet to be sentenced.
