Orangeburg County deputy accused of beating, shooting at wife

Authorities were looking for an Orangeburg County sheriff’s deputy who is accused of beating his wife and shooting in her direction during a domestic argument at the couple’s home in Ridgeville.

A Dorchester County sheriff’s deputy on patrol near Carter’s Fast Stop on U.S. Highway 78 was flagged down about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday by a man who asked the deputy to speak with a woman who was being consoled by family members in the lot at the gas station.

The woman, 23-year-old Kristi Sanders-Winningham, was crying and told the deputy she had been involved in an argument with her husband early Wednesday.

The woman said her husband woke her up about 12:30 a.m. and accused her of infidelity.

She told deputies her husband punched her and kicked her and fired a .45-caliber handgun in her direction twice, according to an incident report. She also said he took her cellphone from her and she had been unable to call 911.

Dorchester County deputies later searched the couple’s home and found evidence that shots had been fired in the bedroom.

The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and a supervisor arrived to take possession of the deputy’s county-issued equipment, the report said.

Kenneth Winningham, 42, of Ridgeville, was still being sought today. He was described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

An Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said late this evening thatWinningham is no longer employed with the agency.

Anyone with information on Winningham’s whereabouts should call the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office at 832-0300.