Update: Former Surfside Beach Police sergeant arrested for alleged assault and battery
A former Surfside Beach Police sergeant has been arrested by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on charges of second-degree assault and battery and misconduct in office.
John Gambone, 51, of Myrtle Beach, was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center Monday and later released on a $5,000 bond, according to online jail records.
Gambone is accused of using excessive force while arresting a person in his capacity as a sergeant on Aug. 8, 2021, according to an arrest warrant.
After placing a handcuff on the person, Gambone threw the person to the ground, causing them to strike their face on the ground and lose consciousness, the report said. The person suffered multiple fractures to their face as a result of the incident.
The arrest was based on witness statements and video evidence, the warrant said.
The SLED investigation was requested by the Surfside Beach Police Department, a release from SLED said.
The Town of Surfside Beach learned that SLED “has elected to pursue charges against former Surfside Beach Police Department officer Gambone following a lengthy investigation,” according to an email from town spokesperson Tabitha Mull.
Mull said the town defers any questions regarding the charges to SLED and the Attorney General’s Office, which will be prosecuting the case.
Gambone “separated” from Surfside Beach on Oct. 26, following a prolonged leave of absence due to medical-related matters, Mull said. Gambone joined the Surfside Beach Police Department in September 2015, according to the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
Mull said Gambone’s separation was not related to the incident giving rise to the charges by SLED.
Gambone is facing a lawsuit for alleged excessive force filed by an Horry County woman. The Surfside Police Department is also named in the suit filed Dec. 15 by Jessica Melton.
A message left Monday for Gambone’s attorney was not immediately returned.
The suit alleges that a violent take down during an August 2021 arrest left Melton with permanent brain and face injuries.
This story was originally published October 30, 2023 at 2:52 PM.
