4 charged in CSU abduction case

All were or had been members of football team; armed robbery also alleged

The Post and Courier
Wednesday, November 19, 2008


Four Charleston Southern University student-athletes were ordered held on high-dollar bail amounts Tuesday in the armed robbery and kidnapping of one student and a campus visitor.

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Tyrone Lattimore

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Zachery Hillery

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Samual Baptiste

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Ronald Jay Baldner

One of the athletes was identified as a starting running back on the Buccaneers football team, while the others said they had been members of the team.

All have been suspended from school. The four were arrested by North Charleston police Monday night.

The men are:

--Zackery Hillery, 20, of Sanford, Fla., a freshman who said he was on a football scholarship.

--Tyrone Lattimore, 19, of Maple Heights, Ohio, a sophomore transfer from Miami of Ohio. He was identified in court as a starting running back.

--Ronald Jay Baldner, 19, of Homosassa, Fla., a freshman identified as being on a track scholarship but who also was on the football team.

--Sam Baptiste, 20, of Naples, Fla., a freshman on a football scholarship.

Magistrate Priscilla Baldwin set bail at $200,000 each for Hillery, Lattimore and Baldner. Bail for Baptiste was set at $400,000, apparently because he has an unspecified criminal history in Florida. Local authorities refused to talk about the Florida charge.

All had listed the private school's campus in North Charleston as their local address.

The four are accused of a robbery and abduction that began Nov. 11 in the parking lot outside the men's dorms.

A female student, 18, and a male acquaintance, 18, reported that they were in a car about 7:45 p.m. waiting for the owner to get out of class when two men approached. One wore a ski mask and the other brandished a handgun.

The robbers got in the back seat, pointed the gun to the back of the male's head and told him to drive.

The men made him drive to the nearby Atlantic Palms apartments, where the robbers took the $30 or so in cash they had, then ran away. No one was injured.

Affidavits suggest that the intended target of the robbery was the registered owner of the car, who was known to one of the men.

After the bond hearing, the female victim, a freshman from Orangeburg, said she recognized one of the men from an art-appreciation class they shared. She said she had seen the others around campus.

She said only two men appeared to be involved in the robbery, and that she did not know two others were also apparently involved. She described herself as "paranoid" since the robbery.

"I'm definitely startled all the time," she said outside of Charleston County Magistrate Court.

Earlier Monday, CSU said the four accused student-athletes were involved in the school's football program, though only one was an active member of the team at the time of the robbery. They have been suspended pending the outcome of the case, Doug Dickerson, director of public relations, said in a press release.

Lattimore, a running back, has played in recent games. An online roster lists Hillery as a defensive lineman and Baldner as a wide receiver. Baptiste is not mentioned. The press release also includes statements from the school's head football coach and president.

"We are disappointed to hear of the charges brought against these young men," coach Jay Mills said. "Our athletics program at CSU continues its commitment to the academic, athletic, spiritual and character development of our student-athletes."

CSU President Jairy C. Hunter expressed regret that students might have chosen "a path not representative of the Christian values at the university."

After last week's incident, the university was placed on lockdown as a precaution. An alert system sent out nearly 6,000 automated phone calls, e-mails and text messages to students, parents and faculty.

Later that week, the school announced additional security measures, including extra armed officers and evening foot patrols. The school has promised checkpoints at the entrance to the campus at night and more surveillance cameras.

About 3,330 students are enrolled and nearly 1,100 of them live on the 300-acre campus on U.S. Highway 78.

This wasn't the first violent episode at the school this fall. A student was robbed at gunpoint in his West Russell dormitory room Oct. 6. One student and a former student were arrested and charged in that case.

The female victim of the Nov. 11 incident said the events are taking their toll and that it's "been crazy this year."

Reach Noah Haglund at 937-5550 or nhaglund@postandcourier.com.

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Comments

jwebster80 (anonymous) says...

What are the chances this would happen to Citadel football team members? Sorry.

November 19, 2008 at 4:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

Yeah before you people start bashing the Christians remember the "free will" part of Christianity. Thye have the ability to make their own choices and just really made some wrong ones it appears. I don't get it. Was there not a smart one in the bunch that stood up and said hey this will get us thrown in jail!

November 19, 2008 at 6:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

jweb other stuff has happened at the Cid. Do you need a reminder course?

November 19, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

Armed robbery should be punishable by death.

I'm amazed that this story turned out to be true. I still question the first armed robbery and abduction the young man claims to have been involved in. The one where he didn't even bother to call police.

November 19, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Neponset (anonymous) says...

Looks like it is time to start doing criminal background checks on student athletes, especially foot ball players. Criminal behavior is not limited to CSU - lots of schools have had problems with lawless foot ball players.

November 19, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

B_Fwank (anonymous) says...

Poor, mis-guided children.

November 19, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

theronce (anonymous) says...

How much good are the additional security measures going to be, if they are enrolling the criminals.

November 19, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

pirate42 (anonymous) says...

what the heck they thinking .... Its a game ... another bunch waisting taxe payer dollars for trials etc send them down the yellow brick rd to BUBBA in the penil system GOOD LUCK BOIS

November 19, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...

So now these young men should be put to death because of this incident.If found guilty they definately deserve to be sentenced to the maximum time in prison but death is a bit harsh.

November 19, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

give-it-a-rest, would you feel the same way had the gun been pointed at your head or the head of your child at college? Death is the only acceptable answer for the people that actually committed the crime with the gun. There are millions and millions of GREAT young men and women in the United States. We don't need the violent criminals. They serve no purpose but to ruin the lives of those of us that are living within the law.

November 19, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...

Coldbud I understand you think every criminal should be put to death.If the gun had been pointed at me I would feel blessed that they didn't pull the trigger and I would want them to serve the maximum sentence but I would not say I want them dead.

November 19, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...

Also it shows only one of the have a criminal background history. It could be that the others got wrapped up with the wrong person, granted it was there decision to make the choice they did and they deserve to pay for that decision.In my opinion I don't think they deserve to pay with there life.

November 19, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BigSargeofSC (anonymous) says...

I have no problem putting armed robbers to death, none what so ever. Perhaps harsher punishment will give others time to pause and consider the cost of their actions.

November 19, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

oldglory (anonymous) says...

So, this is the cream of the crop! Whoa! Four collective brains and not an ounce of sense to be found! The ability to play football had nothing to do with the acceptance of these mental midgets by the school's brain trust, right?

November 19, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

give_it_a_rest, no, I don't think all criminals should be put to death. I think all VIOLENT criminals should be put to death. There is a huge difference.

November 19, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

give_it_a_rest (anonymous) says...

Okay, you have your opinion and I have mine we can agree to disagree.

November 19, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

SCHoser (anonymous) says...

Think about this for a minute-our system has a chance to actually prevent a violent death by putting these criminals away BEFORE they kill someone. This episode should be a wake up call to authorities about these individuals-so let's deal with them now before someone loses their life or a loved one. You pull a gun on someone to commit a crime-lights out! Let's be proactive instead of reactive-we always here about crime prevention, but what do we do? violent criminals should be put to death-I don't want them in my neighborhood, do you want them in yours?

November 19, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

commonsence (anonymous) says...

Given recent events, maybe CSU should start conducting background checks as part of their admissions process. Didn't they admit another student who had pending murder charges from Alabama?

November 19, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

I'm just amazed to find out that people attend CSU on sports scholorships . I don't blame the athletes for jumping at the free education, I'm just surprised that the school pays someone to play for the quality of players that they get.

November 19, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

iceman1978 (anonymous) says...

ColdBud, CSU needs to drastically raise its criteria for admission. If it were me I wouldn't even consider someone for admission unless they finished high school with a 3.0 GPA minimum.

November 19, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

yird (anonymous) says...

sports scholarship=oxymoron

November 19, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

One of my best friend's sons was attending CSU on an academic scholorship. He ended up switching schools because he said that as a catholic, the religious overtones at the school were too much for him to put up with.

November 19, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ms_lady2u (anonymous) says...

they lost their freedom for $30? WOw, Now they all can use they athlectic skills in prison!

November 19, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

bossmand1 (anonymous) says...

Criminal behavior is present in all walks of life. Some athletes may set their goal of winning so high that any means works so long as they win the game. Sports can be an all-or-nothing race to the top. While this isn't true just in the sports world, sports can become a cover for cheating to win; and a model for cheating in other areas as well, even leading to criminal behavior

I don't see the death penalty as a resolution to this problem. Why use more violence to correct violence? Maybe the university should re-commit itself to the rigors of fair play in sports as a first step in sports.

Another step forward would be to address the criminal in all of us. Cheating is easy when the pay-off is high. Maybe re-commiting to quality education as a means to success is also in order.

As to convictions and penalty: let's wait for the justice system to process this case. Much can be learned from the careful application of justice through the courts. Let them have their day(s) in court and let's see what we come up with.

November 19, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mamatrip (anonymous) says...

My daughter graduated from CSU. Not all of the students are Christians, but the school sees it's mission as outreach. Some of the athletic scholarships given will be those students' only chance for a college education, and the school will tell them about Jesus while they're there. It's still the students' choice though, what to with what they learn. Some of them make the wrong choice. It's not a reflection on the school, but on the decisions made by those few students.

November 19, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mamatrip (anonymous) says...

coldbud,
"religious overtones" at a Christian college? One whose name used to be Baptist College of Charleston? Who'd have thought? :D

November 19, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

kontact (anonymous) says...

Guys yall need to stop. There 'is' hope for these young men. Whichever prison they get to, I promise that the prison will have a prison sports league. They can hone their skills and maybe get out and play professionally!!

November 19, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...

Tyrone, Zachery, Samual, and Ronald...going to jail for $30? You boys are idiots...have fun in prison as some big black guy's girlfriend!

November 19, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

flame711 (anonymous) says...

The funniest part of this story is that the female victim recognized one of the robbers from an art appreciation class...go Figure, a player taking another easy class. These bosozos were lucky to be attending college on a scholorship..good job messing your lives up for $30!

November 19, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

SCHoser (anonymous) says...

okay-I have to ask this-what is/are bozosos? lol....although I agree-messing up your life for 30bucks. Something tells me this is not their first rodeo tho.

November 19, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mnbvcxz (anonymous) says...

I'm guessing CSU doesnt have any admission requirements and does not do any background checks. I wonder it they will accept my dog?

November 19, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

willbillbedamned (anonymous) says...

islandbenzbc, go back and look at the pictures. 3 out of the 4 ARE BIG BLACK MEN

November 19, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

UrGatorbait (anonymous) says...

The typical comments, kill them, they are black, stuck in an endless loop that some are comfy with.

November 19, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chs294 (anonymous) says...

It IS a shame that the very first incident of campus/athlete crime in college history occurred at one of our local schools.
CSU does have admission requirements(avg SAT score comparisons with other schools bear that out)
Sadly, background checks are probably needed everywhere. -Maybe would have prevented a tragedy at Va Tech or prevented an assault or two at CofC or heaven forbid, may have kept Stephen Garcia out of USC.
Virtualy every school admits students for questionable reasons but that's the reality.
-coldbud, as far as the quality of players; considering at least 8 are now with pro teams in diff sports I'd say it's impressive for a small private school. 2 years of scholarships to beat the Citadel in football, gee that was fast.

November 19, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

martin (anonymous) says...

CSU, like USC, has sold it's SOUL for football. Football, which, like ALL sports, is ENTERTAINMENT, Entertainment. a type of entertainment totally lacking any cultural value. A modern day gladiator competition. At least we can hope this bunch of losers will be excluded from being school bus drivers due to their criminal records.
There is no reason to go to other states to find their juvenile offenders and bring them here to continue their life of crime.

November 19, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

commonsence (anonymous) says...

"Virtualy every school admits students for questionable reasons but that's the reality." You would think that pending murder charges would at least put you on a waiting list...

November 19, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Thefutureisnow (anonymous) says...

You people are so predictable that it's a shame. LOL LOL

November 19, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

honesty (anonymous) says...

I dont know all the young men,but Tyrone he was UNKNOWINGLY caught up in this situation,one young man actually signed a statement saying Tyrone had no knowledge they had robbed someone.As Tyrone & another young man was about to go get something to eat the other young man recieved a call from one of the robbers & asked if he was by a ride and if so can you pick me up, so he asked Tyrone to go pick up this person not knowing this person had just robbed someone,once Tyrone figured out these guys had just possibly did something wrong he told them you guys are trippin, he immediately drop them off & left them, wondering if they may attempt to harm him.Tyrone & his family are christians,Tyrone has never been inviolved in any type of this behavior ever and he is truly a very good person.Just to set the record straight the football coaches thourghly investigated Tyrone before welcoming him to csu & I have no doubt that they are sure they brought in a good young man.Tyrone and his family would would like to sincerely let the victims know they are truly sorry for this experience and of his involvement that he had no knowledge of.Once these horrible charges are exonerated from Tyrone hopefully he can restore his life and continue his education at csu.Tyrone hopes the csu community have in there hearts to forgive not just him but all these young men involved & pray they all can get there lives together Tyrone and his fanily have a strong relationship with the HIGHER POWER and have no doubt Tyrone will recover from this misfortuned setback & continue his climb to success!

November 19, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

So, after finding out what they did Tyrone failed to contact the police? Is that the only reason he's been arrested? I'm not belittling his civic duty to contact the police when he knows a crime has been committed, I'm just asking if there are other charges against him. According to the article he has been charged with the robbery and the abduction. Either the P&C is wrong (not impossible) or the police think he was involved at a higher level than just unkowingly giving them a ride after they committed the crime.

November 19, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Girleygirl (anonymous) says...

Sound like Tyrone is guilty by association, if what honesty posted is true. If he was questioned and told police what happened then I do feel sorry for him, if he was trying to cover it up after talking to the police and they put 2 & 2 together,then shame on him.

November 19, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

clam (anonymous) says...

If CSU raised its admissions standards, then its revenue would plummet. The school's budget is dramatically affected if enrollment raises or drops by ten or twenty students. Raising the admission standards, even modestly, could drop enrollment by many hundreds.

The school attracts four kinds of kids: 1) "true believers," 2) kids whose parents want them to go to a Christian college, but the kids themselves are ready to party, 3) athletes, who generally don't give a crap about the Christian mission, 4) students who can't get admitted to any other college. #4 is a sizable portion of the school (a quarter?), which is why admission standards won't be raised.

November 19, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

chs294 (anonymous) says...

-commonsence; I had to laugh, pretty good :) but if a state ,in this case Alabama, turns an accused loose there's not much anyone can do short of detailed background checks. Many parents might start doing their jobs for 18 years if that were the case.
-clam, I won't completely dispute your thoughts but I do know that CSU incoming freshman classes SAT's are well above the nat'l avg and at times comparable to a few other well known state schools.
Not excusing these punks but you'll find "student/athletes" just like these at 99% of colleges.
-martin you hit it right on. So many other areas have suffered since CSU started committing so much to football. Granted, most other schools have done that themselves but it is magnified at a small pvt school especially when other sports were very successful; 5 conf. champs in basketball, NCAA tourney in baseball, soccer, golf, track(with a '92 Olympic medalist) Coincidental fact; CSU and CofC basketball series was virtualy tied in '92(when CSU made the fball committ.)

November 19, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

mnbvcxz (anonymous) says...

How do you get a CSU grad to get off your porch?

Pay for the pizzas!

November 19, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

ColdBud (anonymous) says...

rofl!

November 19, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tlatts_aunt (anonymous) says...

Thank honesty for your comment. You seem like you know my nephew is a good person and just got caught up in some BS. All the close-minded people should realize there is a justice system that says innocent until proven guilty. Like honesty said we're a god fearing family and he's just a friendly young man who was giving a "friend" a ride. I'd like to thank the young man who wrote a statement declaring his innocence. He's stepping up and being a man and admitting his guilt as well as the innocent ones who weren't involved. My heart goes out to the victims of this senseless crime for $35 dollars. I pray that you get over this just as i pray that my family will survive this struggle.

November 20, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Tlattsoldercousin (anonymous) says...

I would also like to thank you for your comment as well Honesty. Our family are firm believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. TJ has even grown spiritually calling home from time to time with different questions about biblical facts. In my heart, I know TJ is innocent of this terrible event that involved other people. It also pains me to see terrible blogs from this column as well as his former school's website passing judgement so quickly without knowing the facts. I cannot wait for him to get out of this situation so that he can continue his growth academically, athletically, and definitely spiritually. I'm praying everyday for your freedom Tyrone Lattimore Jr.

November 20, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

badgirl (anonymous) says...

I KNOW TJ AND FAMILY PERSONALLY. MY SONS AND HIM PLAYED FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL TOGETHER FOR YEARS. I TRULY KNOW HE WAS'NT INVOLVED IN THIS. IF YOU WOULD TOLD ME ANY OTHER PERSON I WOULD SAY OK, BUT TJ NO WAY! HE HAVE VERY GOOD AND INVOLVED PARENTS. TJ IS A VERY GOOD KID AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN UPMOST RESPECTFUL. HE IS VERY FRIENDLY AND GOT CAUGHT UP IN A BAD SITUATION THAT HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. I JUST WANT HIM AND HIS PARENTS TO NO I'M THINKING AND PRAYING FOR THEM. STAY STRONG AND PRAY AND GOD WILL WORK IT OUT, I PROMISE.WE LOVE YOU TJ AND KEEP YOUR HEAD UP NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK OR WRITE.

November 21, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

honesty (anonymous) says...

From what Ive heard Tyrone had absolutly nothing to do with this, I dont believe he would put someone elses vehicle at stake I have been around this guy and had conversation after conversation and hung out with him time to time, I have spoken with his dad plenty of times and I know they are hurting bad and not just for Tyrone but the victims also.Tyrone is so friendly and easy to get along with he believes no one could actually do harm to another. Theres no question in my mind he got caught up in a bad situation. And from what I hear one of the victims that actually did it signed a statement saying Tyrone had nothing to do with it.I just hope and pray the legal system dont try to take advantage of him to make an example of him.This young man deserves the type of respect that if he was caught in this by mistake they should drop all charges and restore his name in the community.He is maybe one of the best all around persons Ive ever been around.I know a lot of students hear are very upset that the other guys asked him for a ride especially if they had done something.Tyrone we are supporting you and hope to see you back with us soon buddy.All your friends hear at csu. WE love you!

November 21, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

honesty (anonymous) says...

CLAM DONT JUDGE WHAT U DONT KNOW THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE IT MAY JUST HAPPEN YOUR FAMILY, I HOPE NOT.READ WHAT TLATTOLDERCOUSIN WROTE.THIS KID IS TRULY A GOOD KID, AND I PRAY THAT ALL THE CHARGES ARE DROPPED BECAUSE HE WILL TAKE FROM THERE AND BE A VERY GOOD PERSON IN SOCIETY I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND, HE IS TRULY A WONDERFUL PERSON.FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND HE COULD HAVE ATTEDED A NUMOROUS OF SCHOOLS EVEN CLOSER TO HIS HOME BUT CHOSE CSU BECAUSE OF ITS CHRISTIAN VALUES.YOU ARE OVERREACTING TYRONE DONT HAVE TO TRY TO PROVE HIMSELF ITS JUST NATURAL FOR IT TO SHOW THROUGH HIM!

November 21, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

TJBIGSIS (anonymous) says...

I would like to thank everybody that has made positive comments about him... Honesty I would truly like to thank you for you clearing the air and it seems as though you really know him as a person... I would like to thank everyone for their support.I know Tj is not the type of person to rob or kidnap anyone. I've been knowing him all of my life and it seems the situation was mislead because of him being seen associating with the REAL suspects at his favorite restaurant (Wendy's). It hurts knowing that people are thinking negatively about him because he is not a negative person at all. We all grew up in the church and we strongly believe in God and He will see us through this situation... I would like to send my prayers out to the families of the victims that this happened to. Tj comes from a loving and caring family and would not even think of doing this to anyone. I would like to Thank everyone for the support on the behalf of the family...

November 21, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

honesty (anonymous) says...

flame 711 you idiot the 1 she took class with had nothing to do with it they have already figured that out,bossman1 you have a fair assesment of the situation and thats all you can ask

January 29, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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